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Christopher Newport University

Newport News, VA

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Theatre

Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

Program Recognition

Audition required for admission to the Musical Theatre concentration

Auditions also serve as consideration for all available theatre scholarships

Training

Musical Theatre concentration includes coursework in music theory, ear training, keyboard skills, voice, acting, and dance

Dance training includes Dance Styles for the Musical Theatre and Advanced Dance Styles/Musical Theatre

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage productions per year, plus student-directed work and an annual dance concert

Students performed at 54 Below in NYC as part of the New Musicals Lab collaboration

Faculty are professional educators and artists who continue active careers in professional venues

Notable Alumni

Lisa Helmi Johanson '07 — Broadway (POTUS), Off-Broadway (Avenue Q), National Tour of Avenue Q

Kylee Bates '27 — recipient of the ASCAP Jerry Herman Legacy Prize, performed with Broadway veterans at Diamonstein Concert Hall

Facilities

NAST-accredited theatre program

Housed in the Ferguson Center for the Arts, featuring rehearsal and dance studios, design labs, and scene and costume shops

Two performance venues: the 440-seat proscenium Peebles Theatre and the 200-seat flexible Studio Theatre

School Info

Snapshot

3.80

Avg GPA (W)

86%

Admit Rate

school-wide

72%

Grad Rate

4.4K

Enrollment

$61K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$17,616

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$32,038

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$38,010

Before aid

Average Net Price

$23,015

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · cnu.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 29, 11:50 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Audition required for admission to the Musical Theatre concentration

Auditions also serve as consideration for all available theatre scholarships

Training

Musical Theatre concentration includes coursework in music theory, ear training, keyboard skills, voice, acting, and dance

Dance training includes Dance Styles for the Musical Theatre and Advanced Dance Styles/Musical Theatre

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage productions per year, plus student-directed work and an annual dance concert

Students performed at 54 Below in NYC as part of the New Musicals Lab collaboration

Faculty are professional educators and artists who continue active careers in professional venues

Notable Alumni

Lisa Helmi Johanson '07 — Broadway (POTUS), Off-Broadway (Avenue Q), National Tour of Avenue Q

Kylee Bates '27 — recipient of the ASCAP Jerry Herman Legacy Prize, performed with Broadway veterans at Diamonstein Concert Hall

Facilities

NAST-accredited theatre program

Housed in the Ferguson Center for the Arts, featuring rehearsal and dance studios, design labs, and scene and costume shops

Two performance venues: the 440-seat proscenium Peebles Theatre and the 200-seat flexible Studio Theatre

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Audition required for admission to the Musical Theatre concentration

Auditions also serve as consideration for all available theatre scholarships

Training

Musical Theatre concentration includes coursework in music theory, ear training, keyboard skills, voice, acting, and dance

Dance training includes Dance Styles for the Musical Theatre and Advanced Dance Styles/Musical Theatre

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage productions per year, plus student-directed work and an annual dance concert

Students performed at 54 Below in NYC as part of the New Musicals Lab collaboration

Faculty are professional educators and artists who continue active careers in professional venues

Notable Alumni

Lisa Helmi Johanson '07 — Broadway (POTUS), Off-Broadway (Avenue Q), National Tour of Avenue Q

Kylee Bates '27 — recipient of the ASCAP Jerry Herman Legacy Prize, performed with Broadway veterans at Diamonstein Concert Hall

Facilities

NAST-accredited theatre program

Housed in the Ferguson Center for the Arts, featuring rehearsal and dance studios, design labs, and scene and costume shops

Two performance venues: the 440-seat proscenium Peebles Theatre and the 200-seat flexible Studio Theatre

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App· Only option

Fee

$65

Deadline

Early DecisionNov 15, 2026

Early ActionDec 1, 2026

Regular DecisionFeb 1, 2027

Apply · cnu.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

SlideRoom

Fee

SlideRoom Fee

Deadline

Full consideration for admission and scholarshipsJan 30, 2027

Auditions

In-person theatre audition

Nov 7, 2026Jan 23 & 30, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Priority submission deadlineJan 30, 2027

Submit with university applicationRolling

Auditions · cnu.edu

Audition Requirements

Songs

Two Songs

One up-tempo song from musical theatre or popular/commercial music repertoire, 16-32 bars

One ballad from musical theatre or popular/commercial music repertoire, 16-32 bars

Accompaniment

Use recorded or live piano accompaniment only when possible

For in-person auditions, bring sheet music marked for your audition cuts; an accompanist is provided

Monologues

Requirements

One monologue, 60–90 seconds from first word of dialogue

Dance

Dance Call

In-person Musical Theatre candidates attend the noon dance call

Optional Dance Video

For video submissions, optional 45-60 second dance video in any dance style; musical theatre preferred

Recommended for scholarship consideration because some scholarships include a dance component

Additional Materials

Resume

Upload a performance resume (.pdf)

For in-person auditions, a resume is helpful but not required

Headshot

Upload a current moderate-to-high-quality photo/headshot (.jpg or .pdf)

If submitting the optional dance video, combine headshot and resume into one .pdf because SlideRoom allows up to 5 uploads

For in-person auditions, a headshot/photo is helpful but not required

Video

Required uploads: monologue video, up-tempo song video, and ballad video

OPTIONAL DANCE VIDEO (optional upload)

SlideRoom accepts 1-5 items for this submission

Auditions · cnu.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit audition materials via SlideRoom (extension of Common App)

Must apply to CNU via Common App first and select the appropriate academic area

Important Notes

All audition materials must be uploaded simultaneously with the Common App submission — be prepared before starting

Admission to CNU does not guarantee a place in the performance program — a separate notice will be sent

What's The Process

Audition Process

CNU requires auditions for admission to the Musical Theatre concentration

Applicants submit audition videos and documents through SlideRoom as part of the Common App process

The 2026-27 cycle is open: SlideRoom accepts submissions August 1, 2026 through July 1, 2027

Admission to Christopher Newport does not guarantee a place in the performance program — a separate program decision is sent

Audition Expectations

The 2026-27 process allows either an in-person audition appointment (Nov. 7, 2026; Jan. 23, 2027; Jan. 30, 2027) or self-recorded video submission via SlideRoom

Musical Theatre candidates prepare a monologue, two song cuts, and may have a dance component when in-person auditions are offered

An accompanist is provided for in-person song auditions when offered

Decisions

Review of candidates begins January 30, 2027; submissions are accepted after that date but full consideration for admission and scholarships is not guaranteed

Scholarship Info

Theatre scholarships available through the audition process

Audition serves as consideration for all available theatre scholarships

Some scholarships have a dance component — submitting the optional dance video is recommended

School Info

Snapshot

3.80

Avg GPA (W)

86%

Admit Rate

school-wide

72%

Grad Rate

4.4K

Enrollment

$61K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$17,616

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$32,038

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$38,010

Before aid

Average Net Price

$23,015

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · cnu.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Audition required for admission to the Musical Theatre concentration

Auditions also serve as consideration for all available theatre scholarships

Training

Musical Theatre concentration includes coursework in music theory, ear training, keyboard skills, voice, acting, and dance

Dance training includes Dance Styles for the Musical Theatre and Advanced Dance Styles/Musical Theatre

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage productions per year, plus student-directed work and an annual dance concert

Students performed at 54 Below in NYC as part of the New Musicals Lab collaboration

Faculty are professional educators and artists who continue active careers in professional venues

Notable Alumni

Lisa Helmi Johanson '07 — Broadway (POTUS), Off-Broadway (Avenue Q), National Tour of Avenue Q

Kylee Bates '27 — recipient of the ASCAP Jerry Herman Legacy Prize, performed with Broadway veterans at Diamonstein Concert Hall

Facilities

NAST-accredited theatre program

Housed in the Ferguson Center for the Arts, featuring rehearsal and dance studios, design labs, and scene and costume shops

Two performance venues: the 440-seat proscenium Peebles Theatre and the 200-seat flexible Studio Theatre

Updated Aug 29, 11:50 PM