Program
No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewIn-Person or VirtualSelective12-24 StudentsUniversity App Required
Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
No Interview
Selective
12-24 Students
University App Required
Program Highlights
TRAINING & PERFORMANCE
•BFA program requiring competitive audition for admission
•Students perform starting their very first semester
•Over 25 productions per year, including six major productions, studio productions, and an optional summer theatre program
FACILITIES & VENUES
•500-seat proscenium Bush Theatre, 200-seat round theatre, and recently renovated 75-seat studio theatre
•Access to approximately 50,000 costumes, a design/tech lab, costume shop, and multiple performance venues
SUMMER THEATRE
•Paid summer program — earn money, professional experience, and college credit performing across Michigan
– Venues include The Playhouse at White Lake and the Beaver Island Community Center
GUEST ARTISTS & RECOGNITION
•Visiting professional performers, Fulbright scholars, playwrights, directors, designers, and choreographers
•Students and faculty have regularly won Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Certificates of Merit
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Teri Hansen — Broadway (Show Boat, The Sound of Music, An American in Paris), London West End, TV (Orange Is the New Black, Law & Order: SVU)
•Jeff Daniels — Emmy winner (The Newsroom), Tony-nominated for To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway, founded Purple Rose Theatre Company
•Terry O'Quinn — Emmy winner for Lost, The West Wing
Key Info
Program AppApplication
Apply atAcceptd
Auditions
CMU Audition Day (Mount Pleasant, MI)Jan 17, 2026
CMU Audition Day (Mount Pleasant, MI)Feb 28, 2026
Audition Requirements
Songs
TWO 32-BAR SONGS
•One up-tempo song from a musical
•One ballad from a musical
Monologues
TWO CONTRASTING MONOLOGUES, 2 min total
•Both must be from published plays (no musicals)
•Select age-appropriate monologues
•Monologues should highlight your talents
•No hand-held props or costumes permitted
Dance
•Students will participate in a dance master class
•Bring attire appropriate for dance to the audition
Additional Materials
•HEADSHOT (if available)
•resume highlighting related training, performance experience, leadership or volunteer experience, and special skills
•May leave headshot and resume at the registration desk upon arrival
Good to Know
UNIVERSITY APPLICATION
•Apply to CMU by December 1 for priority consideration for university merit scholarships
AUDITION SCHEDULING
•Schedule audition via Acceptd — select Music Theatre from the drop-down menu
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•Three elements evaluated: vocal performance, acting, and dance
•Michigan residents audition in-person; out-of-state students may audition virtually through Acceptd
DANCE
•Students participate in a dance master class
•Bring attire appropriate for dance
LOGISTICS
•Bring headshot (if available) and resume — may leave at registration desk upon arrival
•Contact Anne McAlexander at mcale1a@cmich.edu for additional information
CROSSOVER
•Students who audition for Music Theatre are automatically considered for BFA Acting
•All auditionees automatically considered for Theatre Special Talent Scholarships
Scholarship Info
AUTOMATIC CONSIDERATION
•Theatre Special Talent Scholarships: All students who audition for a BFA program are automatically considered — no separate application required
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
•First Nighters Scholarship: Awarded each spring for use in the following academic year; $1,000–$2,000; requires minimum 15 credit hours of TAI coursework with B or above and 2.5 cumulative GPA
•Denny L. Bettisworth Theatre and Interpretation Award: Renewable scholarship for a junior or returning senior demonstrating outstanding promise in theatre directing
•Marie Donner and Fred R. Bush Scholarship: Annual scholarship for a student studying in Fine Arts
•John Genette and Andrea Dickey Genette Award: Renewable scholarship recognizing entrepreneurial spirit in a student wishing to produce their own project with intent to pursue theatre professionally
•Irvine N. Smith Scholarship: Incentive award in acting and/or directing for freshman, sophomore, or junior students
NEED-BASED & MERIT
•Jean Mayhew Interdisciplinary Scholarship in Theatre and Dance: For Michigan resident juniors or seniors with minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need
•The Wilbur Moore Prize: For a junior enrolled as a major in Communication, Communication Disorders, Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, or Theatre and Dance
DESIGN & TECHNICAL
•Doris J. Ramsey Endowed Theatre Scholarship: For Theatre and Dance majors with preference for costuming, lighting, or make-up; requires 3.0 GPA and financial need
•Gavin J. Smith and Mary C. Mertz-Smith Endowed Scholarship in Technical Theatre: For students in good academic standing with interest in technical theatre
•William E. Valle Design and Technical Theatre Award: Renewable award for scenery design, lighting design, or technical theatre; minimum 2.0 GPA
Program info updated Mar 27, 1:27 PM
TRAINING & PERFORMANCE
•BFA program requiring competitive audition for admission
•Students perform starting their very first semester
•Over 25 productions per year, including six major productions, studio productions, and an optional summer theatre program
FACILITIES & VENUES
•500-seat proscenium Bush Theatre, 200-seat round theatre, and recently renovated 75-seat studio theatre
•Access to approximately 50,000 costumes, a design/tech lab, costume shop, and multiple performance venues
SUMMER THEATRE
•Paid summer program — earn money, professional experience, and college credit performing across Michigan
– Venues include The Playhouse at White Lake and the Beaver Island Community Center
GUEST ARTISTS & RECOGNITION
•Visiting professional performers, Fulbright scholars, playwrights, directors, designers, and choreographers
•Students and faculty have regularly won Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Certificates of Merit
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Teri Hansen — Broadway (Show Boat, The Sound of Music, An American in Paris), London West End, TV (Orange Is the New Black, Law & Order: SVU)
•Jeff Daniels — Emmy winner (The Newsroom), Tony-nominated for To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway, founded Purple Rose Theatre Company
•Terry O'Quinn — Emmy winner for Lost, The West Wing
Updated Mar 27, 1:27 PM
Academic School Information
3.51
Avg GPA (W)
90%
Admit Rate
60%
Grad Rate
10,035
Enrollment
$55,874
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$14,760
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$14,760
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$17,597
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Family Income $0 - $30k$12,185
Family Income $30k - $48k$12,139
Family Income $48k - $75k$13,601
Family Income $75k - $110k$16,269
Family Income $110k+$21,403
