Program
Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewIn-Person or VirtualSelective12-24 StudentsUniversity App RequiredStudy AbroadMTCP Participant
Program Characteristics
Prescreen Required
Audition Required
No Interview
Selective
12-24 Students
University App Required
Study Abroad
MTCP ParticipantProgram Highlights
TRAINING
•Conservatory-style triple-threat training in acting, voice, and dance
•Small cohorts (~16 students) with close faculty mentorship
•Option to be considered for both Musical Theatre and Acting programs with single submission
PRODUCTIONS & PERFORMANCE
•Performance opportunities from first semester — freshmen are eligible to be cast
•Mainstage season: 2 musicals, 2 plays, and a dance concert
•Additional outlets: student cabarets, studio productions, new works
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
•Strong emphasis on professionalism, collaboration, and practical training
•Senior-year professional development experience / showcase
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Sierra Boggess — originated Ariel in Broadway’s The Little Mermaid; starred as Christine in Phantom of the Opera
•Jodi Benson — voice of Disney’s Ariel in The Little Mermaid; Tony-nominated Broadway performer
•Anthony Norman — Broadway’s The Prom; national tour of Newsies
•Drew Nellessen — seven-year run in Broadway’s Chicago
•Andrew Tufano — Broadway debut in The Who’s Tommy (2024)
Key Info
Program AppApplication
Apply atAcceptd
Deadlines
Prescreen (Jan Virtual)Nov 15, 2025
Prescreen (Jan On-Campus & Chicago)Nov 30, 2025
Prescreen (Feb On-Campus)Jan 15, 2026
Prescreen (Mar On-Campus)Feb 1, 2026
Auditions
VirtualJan 18, 2026
On-Campus (Decatur, IL)Jan 19, 2026
Chicago, IL (Chicago Academy for the Arts)Feb 1, 2026
On-Campus (Decatur, IL)Feb 16, 2026
Fee
$35Waiver
Prescreen Requirements
Songs
•MTCP Song Option A:
-One song written BEFORE 1970
-One song written AFTER 1970
-Contrasting styles
-60-90 seconds each
Monologues
•MTCP Monologue Option A:
-One monologue from a published play or professional writer
-60-90 seconds
Dance
•MTCP Dance Option A:
-Dance/movement video required
-Must include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick
-Or suitable rotation, elevation, and extension
-60-90 seconds
Ballet
•MTCP Ballet Option A:
-Ballet video required
-Include: plié, tendu, grand battement series, pirouettes en dehors (both sides), grand jeté
Wildcard / Special Skill (Optional)
•MTCP Wild Card:
-Special skill, personality showcase, original composition, instrument, hobby, etc. Purpose: 'What do you want us to know about you?'
Additional Materials
•SLATE VIDEO
-Name and pronouns, if you would like
•Optional introduction video (tell us about yourself)
•Optional Wild Card submission
Callback Requirements
Songs
TWO CONTRASTING SONGS, 60 sec cuts
•One from classic (Golden Age) Broadway repertoire (written before 1970)
•One from contemporary Broadway repertoire (written after 1970)
-Trunk songs by established writers are also acceptable
•Must show vocal range — one up-tempo, one ballad
RESTRICTED COMPOSERS
•Do not select material by Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel, or Stephen Sondheim
ACCOMPANIMENT
•Email digital copies to accompanist approximately one week before audition with cuts clearly marked
•Bring original copies in a proper binder for in-person auditions
•No recorded accompaniment or a cappella
•Do not use a bell-tone intro — use a traditional 2 or 4 bar intro
VIRTUAL AUDITIONS
•May use live or recorded accompaniment
•Test sound balance beforehand — voice and accompaniment should both be clearly audible
Monologues
ONE CONTEMPORARY MONOLOGUE, 45 sec max
•Written after 1990
•Character close to your own age
•Must be from a published play
-No films, musicals, self-written, stand-alone pieces, or speech team monologues
•Performed in natural speaking voice (no dialects)
•Action driven — speaking to/trying to affect your "other"
•No storytelling monologues, previous event recaps, telephone calls, or pieces to a crowd/audience
•Do not use Christopher Durang, Neil Simon, or common monologue book pieces
PREPARATION
•Have a 2nd contrasting contemporary monologue ready in case the panel requests it
Dance
BALLET COMBINATION
•Short ballet combination taught and performed during audition day
•Evaluated by performance faculty
•Dancers/movers of ALL levels welcome — including those with no formal dance training
ATTIRE
•Leotard and tights, t-shirt and yoga pants, slim-fitting sweatpants, or shorts
•Ballet shoes preferred — jazz shoes, socks, or bare feet also acceptable
•No street shoes permitted in dance studios
VIRTUAL AUDITIONS
•Dance skills evaluated based on prescreen dance submission — no live dance component
Good to Know
APPLICATION PROCESS
•Submit prescreen materials via GetAcceptd ($35 fee)
•Prescreens are reviewed in the order received
•Each audition date has a specific prescreen submission deadline
•Follows Musical Theater Common Prescreen (MTCP) guidelines and labeling requirements
DUAL CONSIDERATION
•Single submission can be considered for both BFA Musical Theatre and BFA Acting
•Include a 2nd contemporary monologue (post-1990) contrasting in style to the 1st
•Framed in 3/4 format (knees to top of head)
•Mark the appropriate box on the GetAcceptd questionnaire
What's The Process
PRESCREEN
•Prescreens reviewed in order received — invitations extended on rolling basis
•Single submission can be considered for both BFA Musical Theatre and BFA Acting
•Prescreen deadlines are soft — late submissions accepted but callback timing not guaranteed
LIVE AUDITION
•By invitation only after passing prescreen
•On-campus audition days run 8am–3:30pm with welcome session, campus tours, lunch with students, and Q&A
•Chicago auditions held at Chicago Academy for the Arts in ~4-hour sessions (25 applicants per session)
•Virtual auditions conducted via GetAcceptd AuditionRoom (15–30 minutes)
•All audition methods receive equal consideration
RESULTS
•Decision letter approximately 2 weeks after audition
Scholarship Info
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS SCHOLARSHIP
•All students accepted to a BFA program receive a CFA Scholarship
•Range: $1,000 - $5,000 annually
•Renewable each year while enrolled in the College of Fine Arts
•Stacks with Academic Merit Scholarship awarded upon admission
•No additional application required — awarded after audition
Program info updated Mar 27, 2:31 AM
TRAINING
•Conservatory-style triple-threat training in acting, voice, and dance
•Small cohorts (~16 students) with close faculty mentorship
•Option to be considered for both Musical Theatre and Acting programs with single submission
PRODUCTIONS & PERFORMANCE
•Performance opportunities from first semester — freshmen are eligible to be cast
•Mainstage season: 2 musicals, 2 plays, and a dance concert
•Additional outlets: student cabarets, studio productions, new works
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
•Strong emphasis on professionalism, collaboration, and practical training
•Senior-year professional development experience / showcase
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Sierra Boggess — originated Ariel in Broadway’s The Little Mermaid; starred as Christine in Phantom of the Opera
•Jodi Benson — voice of Disney’s Ariel in The Little Mermaid; Tony-nominated Broadway performer
•Anthony Norman — Broadway’s The Prom; national tour of Newsies
•Drew Nellessen — seven-year run in Broadway’s Chicago
•Andrew Tufano — Broadway debut in The Who’s Tommy (2024)
Updated Mar 27, 2:31 AM
Academic School Information
3.25
Avg GPA
67%
Admit Rate
57%
Grad Rate
1,382
Enrollment
$51,262
Earnings
10yr after
Tuition & Fees
$26,892
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$21,989
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$18,659
Family Income $30k - $48k$15,629
Family Income $48k - $75k$23,053
Family Income $75k - $110k$24,622
Family Income $110k+$27,524
