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University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music

Cincinnati, OH

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-Selective12-24 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-Selective12-24 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-Selective12-24 Students

Program Recognition

First musical theatre program of its kind in the US

Used by National Association of Schools of Theatre in formulating guidelines for MT program accreditation nationwide

Training

Four-year interdisciplinary BFA program providing professional conservatory training

Two-fold approach to vocal training with private voice lessons and group vocal coaching classes

Rigorous acting curriculum combining Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, Michael Chekhov and Anne Bogart techniques

Extensive dance training in ballet, jazz, tap and somatic practices

Performance & Productions

Three to four musicals presented in three state-of-the-art on-campus theatre spaces

Freshman and Senior Showcases — Senior Showcase functions as New York debut for agents and casting directors

Annual CCM Jam Band features Musical Theatre students performing cover songs

Notable Alumni

Christy Altomare — Anastasia, Mamma Mia!

Shoshana Bean — Wicked, Waitress, Hell's Kitchen

Ashley Brown — Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Elf

Karen Olivo — West Side Story, In the Heights, Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Faith Prince — Guys and Dolls, Bells Are Ringing, Annie

Betsy Wolfe — & Juliet, Falsettos, Waitress

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 17 students

Class of 2029: 22 students

Class of 2028: 14 students

Class of 2026: 16 students

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.69

Admit rate

85%

school-wide

Grad rate

75%

Enrollment

29.9K

Earnings

$55K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,748

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$32,082

Before aid

Average net price

$25,648

After aid

Fast Facts · ccm.uc.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 3, 12:05 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

First musical theatre program of its kind in the US

Used by National Association of Schools of Theatre in formulating guidelines for MT program accreditation nationwide

Training

Four-year interdisciplinary BFA program providing professional conservatory training

Two-fold approach to vocal training with private voice lessons and group vocal coaching classes

Rigorous acting curriculum combining Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, Michael Chekhov and Anne Bogart techniques

Extensive dance training in ballet, jazz, tap and somatic practices

Performance & Productions

Three to four musicals presented in three state-of-the-art on-campus theatre spaces

Freshman and Senior Showcases — Senior Showcase functions as New York debut for agents and casting directors

Annual CCM Jam Band features Musical Theatre students performing cover songs

Notable Alumni

Christy Altomare — Anastasia, Mamma Mia!

Shoshana Bean — Wicked, Waitress, Hell's Kitchen

Ashley Brown — Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Elf

Karen Olivo — West Side Story, In the Heights, Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Faith Prince — Guys and Dolls, Bells Are Ringing, Annie

Betsy Wolfe — & Juliet, Falsettos, Waitress

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 17 students

Class of 2029: 22 students

Class of 2028: 14 students

Class of 2026: 16 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

First musical theatre program of its kind in the US

Used by National Association of Schools of Theatre in formulating guidelines for MT program accreditation nationwide

Training

Four-year interdisciplinary BFA program providing professional conservatory training

Two-fold approach to vocal training with private voice lessons and group vocal coaching classes

Rigorous acting curriculum combining Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, Michael Chekhov and Anne Bogart techniques

Extensive dance training in ballet, jazz, tap and somatic practices

Performance & Productions

Three to four musicals presented in three state-of-the-art on-campus theatre spaces

Freshman and Senior Showcases — Senior Showcase functions as New York debut for agents and casting directors

Annual CCM Jam Band features Musical Theatre students performing cover songs

Notable Alumni

Christy Altomare — Anastasia, Mamma Mia!

Shoshana Bean — Wicked, Waitress, Hell's Kitchen

Ashley Brown — Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Elf

Karen Olivo — West Side Story, In the Heights, Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Faith Prince — Guys and Dolls, Bells Are Ringing, Annie

Betsy Wolfe — & Juliet, Falsettos, Waitress

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 17 students

Class of 2029: 22 students

Class of 2028: 14 students

Class of 2026: 16 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Fee

$50

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

Deadline

Regular DecisionUC Scholarship DeadlineDec 1, 2026

Admissions · ccm.uc.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Apply

Acceptd

Fee

Pre-Screening Fee

$95

Deadline

Prescreen DeadlineDec 3, 2026

Auditions

Virtual Audition - Dance CallJan 15, 2027

Virtual Audition - Monologue and SongJan 16, 2027

New York UnifiedsJan 22–23, 2027

Chicago UnifiedsFeb 1–4, 2027

LA UnifiedsFeb 6, 2027

On CampusFeb 6 & 13, 2027

Auditions · ccm.uc.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

Two Contrasting Songs, 60-90 Sec Each (Includes Slate)

One BALLAD and one UPTEMPO from the musical theatre repertoire

One song written before 1970, one written after 1970 (either can be ballad or uptempo)

90-second limit is strictly enforced — do not upload files longer than 90 seconds

Must sing to musical accompaniment — no a cappella

Each song filmed/uploaded as a separate file

Framing

One song (your choice) in a full frame shot

The other in a CLOSE-UP shot (top of head to chest visible)

Monologues

One Contemporary Monologue, 60-90 Sec (Includes Slate)

Must be from a published play — no musicals, TV shows, or movies

Contemporary = written after 1900

Film in CLOSE-UP shot (top of head to chest visible)

Slate

State your name, title of the play, and playwright

Included at beginning of piece as part of time allotment

Dance

One Dance Piece, 30-60 Sec

Any dance discipline: jazz, ballet, tap, modern, cultural dance, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, etc.

Choreography must be story-driven and connected to the music

Must be performed to music — no a cappella dance

May be self-choreographed but must be a solo video of you

Film in full body shot — keep entire body in frame at all times

No slate needed for dance media

What to Avoid

No barre work

Use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary you are familiar with and can execute well

Wildcard / Special SkillOptional

Up to 60 seconds — no slate needed

Can be ANYTHING: a special skill, an interesting story, a passion speech, an instrument you play, etc.

Prompt: "What do you want us to know about you?" and "What makes you unique?"

Additional Materials

Headshot

Required

Resume

Required

Application portal · Acceptd

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Songs

Live Songs

Two contrasting selections from Broadway repertoire

One ballad and one uptempo; neither longer than 32 measures

Limits

Cut longer selections with the 32-measure limit in mind

Selections should be age-appropriate

Longer auditions will be stopped

Accompaniment

On-campus (Cincinnati) auditions: CCM provides a live piano accompanist — no taped accompaniment or a cappella singing; the accompanist will not transpose your music on sight

New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles Unified Auditions: bring your own recorded accompaniment — sound equipment is provided, though you're welcome to use your own

Bring sheet music in the correct key for the accompanist

Monologues

One Contemporary Monologue, 1 Min Max

From a contemporary play — comic or dramatic

Age-appropriate material

Longer auditions will be stopped

Dance

Jazz Dance Call

Combination from a current Broadway musical in the jazz idiom

Women: character or jazz shoes or ballet slippers, leotards, tights, dance skirts or non-bulky warm-up wear

Men: jazz or ballet shoes, tights, jazz pants, t-shirts or shorts

Sneakers not recommended

Additional Materials

Recorded accompaniment for New York and Chicago Unified Auditions

Sheet music for on-campus accompanist

Application portal · Acceptd

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Must use application reference ID number (undergraduate) or application ID number (graduate) to access Acceptd

ID is received within 24-48 hours after applying to the university

Admission Pathway

Applying to both Musical Theatre and Acting requires a separate prescreen submission and fee for each program

You will only be considered for the program(s) for which you submit prescreening materials

What's The Process

Audition Process

Submit materials via Acceptd after completing the University of Cincinnati application

Prescreen submission deadline listed by CCM: December 3, 2026, unless otherwise noted for the major

Each piece should be uploaded as a separate file; no continuous videos

Slates should appear at the beginning of each piece and are included in the time allotment

Audition Expectations

Prescreen results will be released to applicants by December

Students invited for an audition/interview will be notified of their specific date, time, and location in December

Recorded auditions are not permitted

Virtual audition dates (January 15-16) are limited to applicants who live outside the U.S. or have financial constraints preventing travel to Cincinnati, New York, or Chicago

See CCM Musical Theatre Audition Best Practices for additional advice

Due to the large number of applicants, faculty/admissions staff cannot provide audition critiques

Contact

CCM Admissions: ccmadmis@ucmail.uc.edu

Scholarship Info

Scholarships are available to qualified students

Admissions application materials must be received by December 1, 2026 for scholarship consideration

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.69

Admit rate

85%

school-wide

Grad rate

75%

Enrollment

29.9K

Earnings

$55K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,748

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$32,082

Before aid

Average net price

$25,648

After aid

Fast Facts · ccm.uc.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

First musical theatre program of its kind in the US

Used by National Association of Schools of Theatre in formulating guidelines for MT program accreditation nationwide

Training

Four-year interdisciplinary BFA program providing professional conservatory training

Two-fold approach to vocal training with private voice lessons and group vocal coaching classes

Rigorous acting curriculum combining Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, Michael Chekhov and Anne Bogart techniques

Extensive dance training in ballet, jazz, tap and somatic practices

Performance & Productions

Three to four musicals presented in three state-of-the-art on-campus theatre spaces

Freshman and Senior Showcases — Senior Showcase functions as New York debut for agents and casting directors

Annual CCM Jam Band features Musical Theatre students performing cover songs

Notable Alumni

Christy Altomare — Anastasia, Mamma Mia!

Shoshana Bean — Wicked, Waitress, Hell's Kitchen

Ashley Brown — Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Elf

Karen Olivo — West Side Story, In the Heights, Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Faith Prince — Guys and Dolls, Bells Are Ringing, Annie

Betsy Wolfe — & Juliet, Falsettos, Waitress

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 17 students

Class of 2029: 22 students

Class of 2028: 14 students

Class of 2026: 16 students

Updated Sep 3, 12:05 AM