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Kent State University

Kent, OH

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program Recognition

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

Intensive interdisciplinary study of music, theatre, and dance

Training

120-credit program with 81 credits in the major

Six semesters of applied voice (12 credits)

12 credits of dance electives across ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and MT-specific styles

Biannual BFA evaluations required to continue in program

Performance & Productions

Center for the Performing Arts houses three theatres and rehearsal spaces

Porthouse Theatre — professional outdoor summer venue

Annual New York City Musical Theatre Showcase for seniors performing for casting directors, agents, and talent managers

Students must audition for all main-stage productions and accept assigned roles

Notable Alumni

Alice Ripley ('86) — Tony Award winner for Best Actress in a Musical for Next to Normal; Broadway: Side Show, Sunset Boulevard, Les Misérables, The Who's Tommy

Kirk Lydell ('16) — National tour of A Bronx Tale

Study Abroad

International exchange with the College of Arts and Tourism (CAT) in Hyōgo, Japan

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.61

Admit rate

86%

school-wide

Grad rate

64%

Enrollment

19.3K

Earnings

$45K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$13,850

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$24,300

Before aid

Average net price

$20,787

After aid

Tuition And Other Costs · kent.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 25, 6:54 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

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

Intensive interdisciplinary study of music, theatre, and dance

Training

120-credit program with 81 credits in the major

Six semesters of applied voice (12 credits)

12 credits of dance electives across ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and MT-specific styles

Biannual BFA evaluations required to continue in program

Performance & Productions

Center for the Performing Arts houses three theatres and rehearsal spaces

Porthouse Theatre — professional outdoor summer venue

Annual New York City Musical Theatre Showcase for seniors performing for casting directors, agents, and talent managers

Students must audition for all main-stage productions and accept assigned roles

Notable Alumni

Alice Ripley ('86) — Tony Award winner for Best Actress in a Musical for Next to Normal; Broadway: Side Show, Sunset Boulevard, Les Misérables, The Who's Tommy

Kirk Lydell ('16) — National tour of A Bronx Tale

Study Abroad

International exchange with the College of Arts and Tourism (CAT) in Hyōgo, Japan

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

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

Intensive interdisciplinary study of music, theatre, and dance

Training

120-credit program with 81 credits in the major

Six semesters of applied voice (12 credits)

12 credits of dance electives across ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and MT-specific styles

Biannual BFA evaluations required to continue in program

Performance & Productions

Center for the Performing Arts houses three theatres and rehearsal spaces

Porthouse Theatre — professional outdoor summer venue

Annual New York City Musical Theatre Showcase for seniors performing for casting directors, agents, and talent managers

Students must audition for all main-stage productions and accept assigned roles

Notable Alumni

Alice Ripley ('86) — Tony Award winner for Best Actress in a Musical for Next to Normal; Broadway: Side Show, Sunset Boulevard, Les Misérables, The Who's Tommy

Kirk Lydell ('16) — National tour of A Bronx Tale

Study Abroad

International exchange with the College of Arts and Tourism (CAT) in Hyōgo, Japan

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fees

Out-of-State Fee

$50

International Fee

$70

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

Deadline

Priority Application DeadlineNov 1, 2026

First Year Student Requirements · kent.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

Acceptd Audition Application DeadlineMar 1, 2027

Auditions

Pittsburgh Unified

Auditions — Day 1Oct 9, 2026

Auditions — Day 2Oct 10, 2026

Auditions — Day 3Oct 11, 2026

National Unified

Auditions, Chicago — Day 1Feb 1, 2027

Auditions, Chicago — Day 2Feb 2, 2027

Auditions, Chicago — Day 3Feb 3, 2027

B.F.A.

Audition, Kent Campus — Day 1

Feb 26, 2027Mar 5, 2027

Audition, Kent Campus — Day 2

Feb 27, 2027Mar 6, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Video Audition SubmissionRolling

Application portal · Acceptd Musical Theatre Auditions · kent.edu

Audition Requirements

Songs

Two Contrasting Songs from Standard Musical Theatre Repertory

One up-tempo and one ballad

Both selections must be memorized

In-person selections should not exceed 32 bars, about one minute each

Virtual selections should not exceed two minutes combined

In-person monologue and vocal selections together should not exceed three minutes total

Accompaniment

Vocal selections must be sung with accompaniment

A cappella singing or submissions are not permitted

For in-person auditions, an accompanist is provided

For virtual auditions, use recorded accompaniment

Monologues

One Contemporary Monologue from A Published Play

Must be memorized

For virtual auditions: not to exceed one minute

For in-person auditions: combined with vocal selections, total should not exceed three minutes

Dance

In-Person Dance Call

Group dance/movement call at 5:00 PM on audition day

Candidates must demonstrate potential in dance

Virtual Dance Submission

Submit a video demonstrating basic dance skills:

Skill #1: Clean double pirouette on right and left sides (turned in or turned out)

Skill #2: Grand jeté on right and left sides (straight leg or through développé)

Skill #3: Pas de bourrée on right and left sides

Skill #4: Battement on right and left sides

Dance reel encouraged if available

Attire

Dance attire required

Bring ballet slippers and/or jazz shoes if available

Additional Materials

Letters of Recommendation

Submit two letters of recommendation through the Acceptd application

Application portal · Acceptd

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply for university admission separately from the Musical Theatre audition

Acceptd asks for contact information, education history, SAT/ACT scores and GPA, vocal and dance training, audition selections, previous theatre experience, and two recommendations

Acceptd lists the Fall 2027 entry option with a March 1, 2027 deadline; the portal is not yet accepting submissions

Program Requirements

Students who pass the audition are admitted directly into the major in their first semester

Students not admitted to the BFA may enter Theatre Studies and reaudition in the second semester of the first year

Biannual BFA evaluations and a minimum 2.5 major GPA are required to remain in the program

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

All prospective BFA Musical Theatre students must audition

Choose an in-person audition on the Kent campus, an in-person audition at a Unified Auditions city, or a recorded video audition

In-person: an individual acting and voice slot of about three minutes, a 4:00 PM meet and greet, and a 5:00 PM dance call

A recorded video audition is the applicant's only audition for the program; videos are accepted on a rolling basis

Selective admission — must demonstrate potential in acting, voice, and dance

Audition Dates (Fall 2027 Entry)

Pittsburgh Unified Auditions: October 9-11, 2026

National Unified Auditions, Chicago: February 1-3, 2027

Kent Campus BFA Auditions: February 26-27, 2027 and March 5-6, 2027

Final auditions take place March 6, 2027; decisions are sent about two weeks after the last audition date

Post-Enrollment

Admitted students with advanced dance training complete an advanced-level dance placement audition once enrolled in the program

Contact

Musical Theatre Coordinator: Terri Kent — tkent@kent.edu

Audition registration: theatre@kent.edu

Audition/application questions: Donna Miller — dmille13@kent.edu, 330-672-0111

Re-auditioning after a previous BFA Musical Theatre audition: Donna Miller — dmille13@kent.edu, 330-672-0106

Scholarship Info

Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships available through the School of Theatre and Dance

Roe Green Scholars — artistic merit-based scholarships funded by $1 million gift

Scholarship information provided at time of admission

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.61

Admit rate

86%

school-wide

Grad rate

64%

Enrollment

19.3K

Earnings

$45K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$13,850

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$24,300

Before aid

Average net price

$20,787

After aid

Tuition And Other Costs · kent.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

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

Intensive interdisciplinary study of music, theatre, and dance

Training

120-credit program with 81 credits in the major

Six semesters of applied voice (12 credits)

12 credits of dance electives across ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and MT-specific styles

Biannual BFA evaluations required to continue in program

Performance & Productions

Center for the Performing Arts houses three theatres and rehearsal spaces

Porthouse Theatre — professional outdoor summer venue

Annual New York City Musical Theatre Showcase for seniors performing for casting directors, agents, and talent managers

Students must audition for all main-stage productions and accept assigned roles

Notable Alumni

Alice Ripley ('86) — Tony Award winner for Best Actress in a Musical for Next to Normal; Broadway: Side Show, Sunset Boulevard, Les Misérables, The Who's Tommy

Kirk Lydell ('16) — National tour of A Bronx Tale

Study Abroad

International exchange with the College of Arts and Tourism (CAT) in Hyōgo, Japan

Updated Aug 25, 6:54 PM

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