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Ball State University

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 Students

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Theatre

Musical Theatre Option

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 Students

Program Recognition

Undergraduate-only, interdisciplinary training within a liberal arts environment

83 credits in the major with individual voice instruction, weekly masterclass, musicianship, acting, and dance

Production season participation beginning second semester of first year

Performance & Productions

Live cabaret at Joe's Pub in NYC and The Cabaret in Indianapolis

Senior showcase experiences in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles

Cabaret course guided by two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster, adjunct professor in the department

Notable Alumni

Meghan Conley — Broadway debut in Mean Girls

Erin Neufer — Broadway (Ink), Netflix (Gypsy), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

David Merten — Broadway debut in An Enemy of the People

Grace Rex — film credits include The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Contagion

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 26 students

Class of 2029: 25 students

Class of 2028: 28 students

Class of 2027: 25 students

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.56

Admit rate

86%

school-wide

Grad rate

62%

Enrollment

14K

Earnings

$52K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$11,242

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$29,790

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$27,658

Before aid

Average net price

$14,940

After aid

Tuition And Fees · bsu.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 6, 5:09 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Undergraduate-only, interdisciplinary training within a liberal arts environment

83 credits in the major with individual voice instruction, weekly masterclass, musicianship, acting, and dance

Production season participation beginning second semester of first year

Performance & Productions

Live cabaret at Joe's Pub in NYC and The Cabaret in Indianapolis

Senior showcase experiences in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles

Cabaret course guided by two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster, adjunct professor in the department

Notable Alumni

Meghan Conley — Broadway debut in Mean Girls

Erin Neufer — Broadway (Ink), Netflix (Gypsy), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

David Merten — Broadway debut in An Enemy of the People

Grace Rex — film credits include The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Contagion

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 26 students

Class of 2029: 25 students

Class of 2028: 28 students

Class of 2027: 25 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Undergraduate-only, interdisciplinary training within a liberal arts environment

83 credits in the major with individual voice instruction, weekly masterclass, musicianship, acting, and dance

Production season participation beginning second semester of first year

Performance & Productions

Live cabaret at Joe's Pub in NYC and The Cabaret in Indianapolis

Senior showcase experiences in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles

Cabaret course guided by two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster, adjunct professor in the department

Notable Alumni

Meghan Conley — Broadway debut in Mean Girls

Erin Neufer — Broadway (Ink), Netflix (Gypsy), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

David Merten — Broadway debut in An Enemy of the People

Grace Rex — film credits include The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Contagion

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 26 students

Class of 2029: 25 students

Class of 2028: 28 students

Class of 2027: 25 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Fee

$60

Deadline

Scholarship PriorityDec 1, 2026

Fall PriorityMar 1, 2027

Regular DecisionRolling

Dates And Deadlines · bsu.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

On-Campus

Nov 14, 2026Feb 6 & 20, 2027

Moonifieds (Dallas)Nov 20–21, 2026

New York UnifiedsJan 23–24, 2027

Chicago UnifiedsFeb 1–4, 2027

Los Angeles UnifiedsFeb 6, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Digital Audition Request Deadline (Email auditions@bsu.edu)Jan 8, 2027

Digital Video Submission DeadlineJan 11, 2027

Auditions And Interviews · bsu.edu Musical Theatre · bsu.edu

Audition Requirements

Optional interview for scholarship consideration only; it is not required for program admission.

Songs

At Least Two 16-32 Bar Song Selections

Contrasting in style to demonstrate range and versatility

You will likely audition with one song — a second may or may not be requested

Repertoire

Songs from musicals (preferable), musical theatre style songs, or operettas

Pop, rock, country, etc. appropriate for one selection

No art songs or arias

Select a song sung by a character within 5-10 years of your playable age range

Preparation

Music must be printed and in a 1-inch, three-ring binder

Maximize contrast in style and character between selections

Monologues

One Contemporary Monologue, 1 Min Max

A second contrasting monologue may be requested

Should contrast in tone, language styles, and character

Classical piece acceptable if comfortable

Material Selection

Choose monologues from published plays

Avoid movies, monologue books (unless you've read the play), musicals, and internet sources

Never attempt a monologue without reading the entire play

Monologues should have a beginning, middle, and end with a journey, discovery, or change

Choose characters within 5 years of your playable age range

What to Avoid

No accents, eccentric characterizations, props, or costumes

Portray one character per monologue

Avoid material that is overly sexual, violent, or offensive

Dance

Dance Call

Learn the musical theatre dance combination as a large group, then divide into small groups for filming. When filming, slate first, perform the short ballet combination, then perform the musical theatre combination.

Short ballet combo including plies, grand plie, tendus, turned out ballet pirouette, and a leap

For technique placement in ballet only

Short tap placement

Use your preferred jazz/MT shoes for both ballet and tap placement; do not change shoes.

Attire

Form fitting dancewear/athletic wear — tights, leggings, capris, leotards, sports bras, tight fitting tank

Supportive undergarments — dance belts and sports bras as appropriate

Hair neat and pulled up and away from the face

No loose or dangling jewelry

No baggy clothing, including sweatshirts, T-shirts, sweatpants, or shorts.

Footwear

Flat jazz shoes or jazz sneaker

Boot or heel welcome but not needed

Full Details

Full dance-call details

Additional Materials

Resume

Headshot

SLATE / INTRODUCTION: Before performing, state your name; the title of your song and the musical it is from; the composer(s) and lyricist(s); and the title and playwright of the play your monologue is from. If a camera is present, wait for the camera operator's go-ahead before slating.

Sheet Music

Required if auditioning on campus or at the Chicago or New York Unifieds: bring your music with you, printed and in a 1-inch three-ring binder, and make sure it is well marked for the Ball State-provided accompanist.

Accompaniment

Required if auditioning at Los Angeles Unifieds or submitting a digital video audition: you must provide your own recorded accompaniment plus a player/sound equipment. Not needed on campus or at the Chicago or New York Unifieds, where Ball State provides an accompanist.

Musical Theatre · bsu.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Fall 2027 entry term applications available August 3, 2026

Apply to Ball State first — Admissions will notify you via email to access the digital Cardinal Landing portal

Complete the supplemental application 'Department of Theatre & Dance Audition/Interview Registration' on the portal Checklist (required to schedule the audition)

Select your preferred audition date and location and submit — the department will contact you directly

Department does not require prescreens for auditions or interviews

Enrollment

Approximately 1,500 applicants audition each year

Approximately 20-22 students are offered a place in the incoming musical theatre class

What's The Process

Audition Process

No prescreen required

Audition has three parts: acting, singing, and dancing

Departmental scholarship consideration is included through the audition/interview process

Applicants receive schedules, materials, and guidelines by email no later than two weeks before the selected date

On-Campus: Saturday, November 14, 2026; Saturday, February 6, 2027; Saturday, February 20, 2027

New York Unifieds: Saturday-Sunday, January 23-24, 2027

Chicago Unifieds: Monday-Thursday, February 1-4, 2027

Los Angeles Unifieds: Saturday, February 6, 2027

Moonifieds: Dallas, TX — Friday-Saturday, November 20-21, 2026

Digital video submissions open November 1, 2026 and close 11:59 PM EST January 11, 2027

No new requests accepted after January 8, 2027

Email auditions@bsu.edu for digital submission instructions

On-campus, Chicago, and New York auditions use a Ball State accompanist

Los Angeles and virtual auditions require applicant-provided recorded accompaniment and playback equipment

Guidelines are subject to change based on audition modality; any changes are communicated through the application portal and from auditions@bsu.edu

Scholarship Info

Departmental scholarships available - audition/interview provides departmental scholarship consideration

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.56

Admit rate

86%

school-wide

Grad rate

62%

Enrollment

14K

Earnings

$52K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$11,242

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$29,790

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$27,658

Before aid

Average net price

$14,940

After aid

Tuition And Fees · bsu.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Undergraduate-only, interdisciplinary training within a liberal arts environment

83 credits in the major with individual voice instruction, weekly masterclass, musicianship, acting, and dance

Production season participation beginning second semester of first year

Performance & Productions

Live cabaret at Joe's Pub in NYC and The Cabaret in Indianapolis

Senior showcase experiences in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles

Cabaret course guided by two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster, adjunct professor in the department

Notable Alumni

Meghan Conley — Broadway debut in Mean Girls

Erin Neufer — Broadway (Ink), Netflix (Gypsy), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

David Merten — Broadway debut in An Enemy of the People

Grace Rex — film credits include The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Contagion

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 26 students

Class of 2029: 25 students

Class of 2028: 28 students

Class of 2027: 25 students

Updated Sep 6, 5:09 PM