Program
No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewIn-Person or VirtualUniversity App RequiredStudy Abroad
Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
No Interview
University App Required
Study Abroad
Program Highlights
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
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
•Intensive interdisciplinary study of music, theatre, and dance
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
•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
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
STUDY ABROAD
•International exchange with the College of Arts and Tourism (CAT) in Hyōgo, Japan
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atCommon App
Apply atSchool Website
Deadlines
PriorityNov 1, 2025
Rolling
Domestic Fee
$50Waiver
International Fee
$70
Program AppApplication
Apply atAcceptd
Deadlines
In-Person Audition Registration DeadlineMar 1, 2026
Virtual Submission DeadlineMar 5, 2026
Acceptd Application DeadlineApr 15, 2026
Auditions
In-Person Audition (Kent Campus)Feb 27–28, 2026
Final Audition (Kent Campus)Mar 6, 2026
Audition Requirements
Songs
TWO CONTRASTING SONGS FROM STANDARD MUSICAL THEATRE REPERTORY
•One up-tempo and one ballad
•Selections should not exceed 32 bars (approximately one minute each)
•Both must be memorized
ACCOMPANIMENT
•Vocal selections must be sung with accompaniment
•A cappella singing is not permitted
•For in-person auditions, an accompanist is provided
•For virtual auditions, use a recorded accompaniment track
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
APPLICATION MATERIALS
•Contact information
•Education history (including SAT/ACT scores and GPA)
•Vocal and dance training histories
•Vocal and monologue selections for audition
•Previous theatre experience
•Two letters of recommendation
Good to Know
APPLICATION PORTAL
•Register for audition via Acceptd
•Apply for university admission separately
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
•In-person audition registration: at least one week prior to audition date
•Last day to apply for in-person audition: March 1, 2026
•Virtual submission deadline: March 5, 2026
•Acceptd application deadline: April 15, 2026
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
•Students admitted directly into the major in first semester
•Biannual BFA evaluations required to remain in program
•Minimum 2.5 major GPA required
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•Choose either in-person or virtual audition
•In-person: three parts — acting, singing, and dance call
•Virtual: upload video submissions via Acceptd
•Selective admission — must demonstrate potential in acting, voice, and dance
IN-PERSON SCHEDULE
•Individual auditions: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
•Meet and greet: 4:00 PM
•Dance call: 5:00 PM
•Combined monologue and vocal selections must not exceed three minutes total
VIRTUAL AUDITION
•Video submissions accepted on a rolling basis through March 5, 2026
•Results posted after the final audition date of March 6, 2026
FINAL AUDITION
•Final auditions for Fall 2026 entry: March 6, 2026
•Notifications sent approximately two weeks after last audition
CONTACT
•Musical Theatre Coordinator: Terri Kent — tkent@kent.edu, 330-672-0107
•Audition registration: theatre@kent.edu
•Re-audition inquiries: 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
Program info updated 4d ago
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
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
•Intensive interdisciplinary study of music, theatre, and dance
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
•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
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
STUDY ABROAD
•International exchange with the College of Arts and Tourism (CAT) in Hyōgo, Japan
Updated 4d ago
Academic School Information
86%
Admit Rate
65%
Grad Rate
19,320
Enrollment
$45,388
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$13,232
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$23,082
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$20,787
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Family Income $0 - $30k$15,280
Family Income $30k - $48k$15,718
Family Income $48k - $75k$17,296
Family Income $75k - $110k$23,685
Family Income $110k+$26,278
