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California State University - Chico

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Program profile

Selective12-24 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Program profile

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

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

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

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)

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.39

Admit rate

93%

school-wide

Grad rate

63%

Enrollment

13.6K

Earnings

$64K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$9,344

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,648

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$29,546

Before aid

Average net price

$14,480

After aid

Cost · csuchico.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 9, 1:48 PM

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

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

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

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

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

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Cal State Apply· Only option

Fee

$70

Opens

Oct 1, 2026

Deadline

Regular DecisionDec 15, 2026

InternationalMay 1, 2027

Index.Shtml · csuchico.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Apply

Acceptd

Fee

Acceptd Processing Fee

Varies

Deadline

Musical Theatre Audition Video DeadlineJan 1, 2027

Auditions

MTAD Scholarship Request Form OpensJan 4, 2027

MTAD Scholarship Application DeadlineFeb 7, 2027

On-Campus Scholarship AuditionFeb 13, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Scholarship Video Submission DeadlineFeb 12, 2027

Application portal · Acceptd Theatre Scholarships.Shtml · csuchico.edu

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

Application portal · Acceptd

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition 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

Application portal · Acceptd

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit the Cal State Apply application before the Acceptd audition

Submit audition materials through Acceptd within two weeks of the Cal State Apply submission

Fall 2027 artistic audition deadline: Friday, January 1, 2027 (11:59pm PST) via Acceptd; the portal currently shows the program as not yet accepting submissions

Acceptd charges a small processing fee that may be waived for financial hardship

Enrollment

The BFA admits freshmen and transfer applicants

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 (10-minute total limit)

Must complete MTAD Scholarship Audition/Interview Request Form

Strongly encouraged to complete University Wildcat Scholarship application (Jan 2-Feb 15, 2027)

Scholarship Video Requirements

High-quality recording with good lighting and sound

No more than 6 months old

Professional attire

Upload to YouTube or public streaming platform

Submit link via email to mtad@csuchico.edu by February 12, 2027

Eligibility

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 through August

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.39

Admit rate

93%

school-wide

Grad rate

63%

Enrollment

13.6K

Earnings

$64K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$9,344

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,648

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$29,546

Before aid

Average net price

$14,480

After aid

Cost · csuchico.edu 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

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

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 Sep 9, 1:48 PM