The stageready blog
Audition tips, college search guides, and insights to help you find your perfect performing arts program.
Best Theatre Design & Tech Programs in the US and UK (2026)
A comprehensive guide to undergraduate theatre design and technology programs at 59 schools across the US and UK. Scenic, lighting, costume, sound, and projection design training — from elite conservatories to affordable state programs — with the details that matter.
Where Did the Cast of Wicked Go to School?
Where every Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked went to school - from the original 2003 Broadway cast through two decades of national tours.
Brigitte Thieme-Burdette
5 Interdisciplinary Theatre Programs That Are Redefining the Degree (2026)
From VR labs to summer stock, these five programs break the traditional BFA mold and train multi-hyphenate artists for the modern performing arts industry.
Brigitte Thieme-Burdette
Best Stage Management Programs in the US and UK (2026)
A comprehensive guide to every undergraduate stage management program we track: 30 schools, from elite conservatories like Carnegie Mellon and USC to accessible BFA options and UK alternatives.
Where Did the Cast of Hadestown Go to School?
We tracked down the training background for every actor who has played Orpheus or Eurydice in Hadestown on Broadway and on tour.
Brigitte Thieme-Burdette
Theatre Programs That Accept Transfers: 19 Schools That Welcome You (2026)
A comprehensive guide to BFA and BA theatre programs that welcome transfer students — with verified transfer policies, audition requirements, and advice for making the switch.
HBCU Theatre Programs: The Ultimate Guide (2026)
Every HBCU with a theatre or performing arts program, from BFA conservatory training to liberal arts BA degrees. Programs, costs, notable alumni, and what makes each one unique.
Safety Schools for Theatre Majors: Approachable Programs Worth Considering (2026)
Theatre programs with higher acceptance rates that still offer strong training. BFA and BA options across acting, musical theatre, and more.
Where Did the Cast of Broadway's Stranger Things: The First Shadow Go to School?
We tracked down the colleges behind the Year 2 cast of Broadway's Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Carnegie Mellon and the University of Minnesota lead with 2 alumni each.
Brigitte Thieme-Burdette
Where Did the Cast of Broadway's The Outsiders Go to School?
We tracked down the colleges behind every cast member in Broadway's Tony-winning The Outsiders. Michigan leads with 3 alumni.
Brigitte Thieme-Burdette
Musical Theatre Acceptance Rates: How Selective Is Every BFA Program? (2026)
A data-driven guide to BFA Musical Theatre selectiveness. See which programs are the hardest to get into, class sizes, prescreen requirements, and where you have the best shot.
Theatre Programs That Don't Require a Prescreen (2026)
A complete guide to BFA Musical Theatre and Acting programs that skip the prescreen video and go straight to a live audition. Includes selectiveness, class sizes, and audition formats.
A Quick Glossary of College Theatre Audition Terms
A comprehensive glossary of college theatre audition terms used in acting, musical theatre, and technical theatre admissions. Learn what prescreens, Unified auditions, monologues, 16-bar cuts, headshots, resumes, and other key terms mean during the college audition process.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources for Theatre Majors
Scholarships and financial aid resources for theatre and performing arts students, including FAFSA, CSS Profile, YoungArts, EdTA scholarships, and more
Brigitte Thieme-Burdette
How to Find a Monologue for College Auditions
A step-by-step guide to finding college audition monologues from published plays. Discover where actors find great material, how to research playwrights and theatre seasons, and why most programs require monologues from stage plays—not musicals, TV, or film.
Brigitte Thieme-Burdette