Public school13.6K

California State University - Chico

Chico, CA

HSITest-Free

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

Browse programs

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

PROGRAM RECOGNITION

•One of the only public universities offering a BFA in Musical Theatre on the West Coast

•CSU's only BFA Musical Theatre program north of Los Angeles

•Widely considered one of the most inclusive MT programs in the nation

TRAINING

•Seven semesters of private voice lessons and eight semesters of dance

•Faculty trained in Theatrical Intimacy Education and active in the Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance

•No graduate program — undergrads access all performance and technical opportunities

PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTIONS

•Four mainstage productions per year across three theaters

•Historic 1,200-seat Laxson Auditorium, Harlen Adams Theater, and intimate Wismer black box

•Paid positions in professional set shop, costume shop, and theatrical spaces

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

•Senior showcase and industry workshops in New York City

•Alumni working on Broadway, in regional theatre, touring companies, and television

•Notable alumni include Lauren Cipoletti (Broadway's Cursed Child) and Amanda Detmer (film)

Academic info

Snapshot

3.39

Avg GPA (W)

93%

Admit Rate

school-wide

63%

Grad Rate

13.6K

Enrollment

$64K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$14,480

after typical aid

In-State Tuition

$8,472

before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$21,072

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$9,902

$30-48k$10,099

$48-75k$12,961

$75-110k$16,506

$110k+$23,566

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

PROGRAM RECOGNITION

•One of the only public universities offering a BFA in Musical Theatre on the West Coast

•CSU's only BFA Musical Theatre program north of Los Angeles

•Widely considered one of the most inclusive MT programs in the nation

TRAINING

•Seven semesters of private voice lessons and eight semesters of dance

•Faculty trained in Theatrical Intimacy Education and active in the Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance

•No graduate program — undergrads access all performance and technical opportunities

PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTIONS

•Four mainstage productions per year across three theaters

•Historic 1,200-seat Laxson Auditorium, Harlen Adams Theater, and intimate Wismer black box

•Paid positions in professional set shop, costume shop, and theatrical spaces

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

•Senior showcase and industry workshops in New York City

•Alumni working on Broadway, in regional theatre, touring companies, and television

•Notable alumni include Lauren Cipoletti (Broadway's Cursed Child) and Amanda Detmer (film)

Program Highlights

PROGRAM RECOGNITION

•One of the only public universities offering a BFA in Musical Theatre on the West Coast

•CSU's only BFA Musical Theatre program north of Los Angeles

•Widely considered one of the most inclusive MT programs in the nation

TRAINING

•Seven semesters of private voice lessons and eight semesters of dance

•Faculty trained in Theatrical Intimacy Education and active in the Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance

•No graduate program — undergrads access all performance and technical opportunities

PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTIONS

•Four mainstage productions per year across three theaters

•Historic 1,200-seat Laxson Auditorium, Harlen Adams Theater, and intimate Wismer black box

•Paid positions in professional set shop, costume shop, and theatrical spaces

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

•Senior showcase and industry workshops in New York City

•Alumni working on Broadway, in regional theatre, touring companies, and television

•Notable alumni include Lauren Cipoletti (Broadway's Cursed Child) and Amanda Detmer (film)

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Deadline

InternationalMay 1, 2026

Regular DecisionJun 1, 2026

Fee

$70Waiver

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

University App Deadline (BFA MT)Nov 30, 2025

Acceptd Audition: Within two weeks of university application

Auditions

MTAD Scholarship Application DeadlineFeb 8, 2026

Scholarship Video Submission DeadlineFeb 13, 2026

Scholarship Audition (On-Campus or Video)Feb 14, 2026

Fee

Acceptd Processing Fee

VariesWaiver

Chico State says Acceptd charges a small processing fee that can be waived for financial hardship.

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

REQUIREMENTS

•Two Contrasting Songs

•ONE MUSICAL THEATER SONG from any time period

•ONE SONG OF YOUR CHOICE in any style (pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.)

-Should contrast the style of the first selection

-Examples: fast tempo vs slow tempo, sustained melodic singing vs speech-like singing, dramatic vs comedic, belt vs head/falsetto mix

ACCOMPANIMENT

•Tracks available on YouTube or apps like Harmony Helper

•If you cannot work with a live accompanist, use a recorded track or accompaniment app

Monologues

REQUIREMENTS

•One Contemporary Monologue from a published play or professional writer (typically written after 1950)

•Age-appropriate (generally within 5-10 years of your actual age)

•Should feel authentic to your culture, background, and lived experience

MATERIAL SELECTION

•Active monologues recommended — takes place in real time, focuses on what you want, direct communication with imaginary scene partner

•Avoid monologues that rely on extreme emotions as they can be hard to justify in a short piece

Dance

REQUIREMENTS

•DANCE/MOVEMENT Sample

•Show your best version of dancing or moving

•Must include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick (or suitable rotation, elevation, and extension)

•In whatever dance discipline you feel most confident

•May include jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or styles beyond American and Euro-western styles

FORMAT

•Must be a solo video — can be self-choreographed

•May use recent show/competition footage if you are clearly featured alone

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

Official Source

Callback Requirements

Additional Materials

Interview round

•After the prescreen video review, selected applicants advance to a virtual interview

•Chico State's public Acceptd guidelines do not list additional callback song, monologue, or dance pieces for the interview round

Official Source

Good to Know

APPLICATION LOGISTICS

•Submit audition materials via Acceptd

•Acceptd charges a small processing fee which can be waived for financial hardship

•University application must be submitted by November 30 for BFA MT consideration

•University application is separate from the Acceptd audition submission

•Apply via Cal State Apply

IMPORTANT NOTES

•Fall enrollment only

What's The Process

AUDITION PROCESS

•Step 1: Audition Video (prescreen) submitted via Acceptd

•Step 2: Virtual Interview

•Step 3: Recommendation and results

DECISIONS

•Submit audition within two weeks of university application

•Entire process conducted virtually — no in-person audition required

Scholarship Info

THEATRE SCHOLARSHIPS

•Separate scholarship audition held on the second Saturday of February

•Incoming students may audition in person or submit online video

•MT applicants should prepare two songs and a monologue

•Must complete MTAD Scholarship Audition/Interview Request Form

•Strongly encouraged to complete University Wildcat Scholarship application (Jan 2 - Feb 15)

REQUIREMENTS

•Must be full-time (12 units minimum)

•Minimum 2.0 GPA required (higher for some scholarships)

•Must participate in departmental productions both semesters

•Awards announced July–August

Academic info

Snapshot

3.39

Avg GPA (W)

93%

Admit Rate

school-wide

63%

Grad Rate

13.6K

Enrollment

$64K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$14,480

after typical aid

In-State Tuition

$8,472

before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$21,072

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$9,902

$30-48k$10,099

$48-75k$12,961

$75-110k$16,506

$110k+$23,566

View full data on College Scorecard

PROGRAM RECOGNITION

•One of the only public universities offering a BFA in Musical Theatre on the West Coast

•CSU's only BFA Musical Theatre program north of Los Angeles

•Widely considered one of the most inclusive MT programs in the nation

TRAINING

•Seven semesters of private voice lessons and eight semesters of dance

•Faculty trained in Theatrical Intimacy Education and active in the Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance

•No graduate program — undergrads access all performance and technical opportunities

PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTIONS

•Four mainstage productions per year across three theaters

•Historic 1,200-seat Laxson Auditorium, Harlen Adams Theater, and intimate Wismer black box

•Paid positions in professional set shop, costume shop, and theatrical spaces

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

•Senior showcase and industry workshops in New York City

•Alumni working on Broadway, in regional theatre, touring companies, and television

•Notable alumni include Lauren Cipoletti (Broadway's Cursed Child) and Amanda Detmer (film)

Updated 1d ago

California State University - Chico

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Prescreen Requirements

Callback Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Prescreen Requirements

Callback Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info