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Howard University

Washington, DC

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Program

BFA Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

BFA Theatre Arts

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Theatre Arts

Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

120-hour Musical Theatre Performance program

Produces professional artist/scholars for Broadway, Off-Broadway, touring, regional, international, cabaret, and concert stages

Training

Intense self-discovery and exploration matched with foundational technique

Creates passionate artists with deep respect for the craft

Uses musical theatre to communicate about shared human condition

Sequential course progression with specialized MT classes

Voice for Musical Theater (8 semesters), Musical Theater Techniques (4 semesters)

Specialized dance: Tap I & II, Jazz I & II, Dance Fundamentals I-IV

Technical production requirements and theatre history

Notable Alumni

Amber Iman — Tony-nominated (Lempicka), Broadway (Shuffle Along, Soul Doctor), Hamilton national tour

Zurin Villanueva — Broadway (The Lion King, Mean Girls, Shuffle Along), Tina Turner Musical national tour

Carroll "CVD" Dashiell Jr. — performed with Maurice Hines, Stephanie Mills, Jennifer Holliday

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 19 students

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.75

Admit rate

41%

school-wide

Grad rate

70%

Enrollment

10.1K

Earnings

$63K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$38,936

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$64,142

Before aid

Average net price

$50,539

After aid

2025 2026 Estimated Cost Attendance · financialservices.howard.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 5, 2:02 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

120-hour Musical Theatre Performance program

Produces professional artist/scholars for Broadway, Off-Broadway, touring, regional, international, cabaret, and concert stages

Training

Intense self-discovery and exploration matched with foundational technique

Creates passionate artists with deep respect for the craft

Uses musical theatre to communicate about shared human condition

Sequential course progression with specialized MT classes

Voice for Musical Theater (8 semesters), Musical Theater Techniques (4 semesters)

Specialized dance: Tap I & II, Jazz I & II, Dance Fundamentals I-IV

Technical production requirements and theatre history

Notable Alumni

Amber Iman — Tony-nominated (Lempicka), Broadway (Shuffle Along, Soul Doctor), Hamilton national tour

Zurin Villanueva — Broadway (The Lion King, Mean Girls, Shuffle Along), Tina Turner Musical national tour

Carroll "CVD" Dashiell Jr. — performed with Maurice Hines, Stephanie Mills, Jennifer Holliday

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 19 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

120-hour Musical Theatre Performance program

Produces professional artist/scholars for Broadway, Off-Broadway, touring, regional, international, cabaret, and concert stages

Training

Intense self-discovery and exploration matched with foundational technique

Creates passionate artists with deep respect for the craft

Uses musical theatre to communicate about shared human condition

Sequential course progression with specialized MT classes

Voice for Musical Theater (8 semesters), Musical Theater Techniques (4 semesters)

Specialized dance: Tap I & II, Jazz I & II, Dance Fundamentals I-IV

Technical production requirements and theatre history

Notable Alumni

Amber Iman — Tony-nominated (Lempicka), Broadway (Shuffle Along, Soul Doctor), Hamilton national tour

Zurin Villanueva — Broadway (The Lion King, Mean Girls, Shuffle Along), Tina Turner Musical national tour

Carroll "CVD" Dashiell Jr. — performed with Maurice Hines, Stephanie Mills, Jennifer Holliday

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 19 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

These Fall 2026 enrollment dates have passed — dates for the next cycle aren't available yet.

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Fee

$45

Deadline

Early application deadlineNov 1, 2025

Regular DecisionFeb 1, 2026

First Year · admission.howard.edu

Program AppApplication

Deadline

Early Action/Decision document deadlineNov 15, 2025

Official page · finearts.howard.edu

Prescreen Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Songs

Prescreen Songs

Two 32-bar cuts of contrasting musical theatre repertoire, 90 sec each max

One ballad

One up-tempo

Must sing to piano, live, or instrumental track — no a cappella submissions

Voice should be more present than accompaniment

Monologues

One Contemporary Monologue from A Published Play (1940s–Present)

90 seconds maximum

Dance

Dance Call Choreography

Learn choreography from provided video link

Music: Overture/All That Jazz (Album Version) from Chicago

Choreography link: youtu.be

Filming

Film in a dance room or open space without furniture

Full body framing (head to feet)

Wild Card Options (90 Seconds)

An additional dance video showing another dance style than requested

Answer one of the following prompts:

'Why Musical Theatre at Howard?'

'What is something you're passionate about other than theatre?'

Additional Materials

Slate Video (Video 1)

Record a separate slate video with:

Your name

Where you are from

The name of each piece

The show or play each is from

The composer, lyricist, playwright, or songwriter

Include the information above on the slate and in each file label

Headshot

Upload a current headshot

Resume

Include artistic and academic experience

Audition Interview Portfolio Review · finearts.howard.edu

Good to Know

Admission Pathway

Entry into Musical Theatre concentration is by audition and invitation only

All six prescreen videos uploaded to applicant portal

Transfer Pathway

Howard University's Department of Theatre Arts runs a dedicated transfer audition and level-placement process, so transfers are evaluated for where they enter the program rather than automatically restarting the sequence.

Transfer · admission.howard.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Upload all videos to applicant portal

Six separate videos required: Slate, Song 1, Song 2, Monologue, Dance, Wild Card

Admission by audition and invitation only

Audition Expectations

Auditions at Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts (across from Founders Library)

Contact

Professor Iya Ifanike Batts at iyaifanike.batts@howard.edu

Scholarship Info

Cabcofa Scholarships

Applicants considered for First Time In College Scholarships

SAT/ACT scores are not required for CABCOFA scholarship consideration

Must apply by the designated deadline to be eligible

Scholarships awarded at time of admission for accepted Early Action/Early Decision applicants

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.75

Admit rate

41%

school-wide

Grad rate

70%

Enrollment

10.1K

Earnings

$63K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$38,936

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$64,142

Before aid

Average net price

$50,539

After aid

2025 2026 Estimated Cost Attendance · financialservices.howard.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

120-hour Musical Theatre Performance program

Produces professional artist/scholars for Broadway, Off-Broadway, touring, regional, international, cabaret, and concert stages

Training

Intense self-discovery and exploration matched with foundational technique

Creates passionate artists with deep respect for the craft

Uses musical theatre to communicate about shared human condition

Sequential course progression with specialized MT classes

Voice for Musical Theater (8 semesters), Musical Theater Techniques (4 semesters)

Specialized dance: Tap I & II, Jazz I & II, Dance Fundamentals I-IV

Technical production requirements and theatre history

Notable Alumni

Amber Iman — Tony-nominated (Lempicka), Broadway (Shuffle Along, Soul Doctor), Hamilton national tour

Zurin Villanueva — Broadway (The Lion King, Mean Girls, Shuffle Along), Tina Turner Musical national tour

Carroll "CVD" Dashiell Jr. — performed with Maurice Hines, Stephanie Mills, Jennifer Holliday

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 19 students

Updated Aug 5, 2:02 AM