Minnesota State University, Mankato
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Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
No Interview
In-Person or Virtual
University App Required
Program Highlights
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
•Highly competitive program with limited enrollment for individualized professional training
•Production-oriented curriculum with top-notch, evolving academic programs
•Evaluated on vocal, dance, and acting ability, stage presence, and career dedication
PRODUCTIONS & PERFORMANCE
•Aggressive performance schedule across three venues
•Active participation in departmental productions required
DEGREE FLEXIBILITY
•Students not admitted to BFA may complete the BA/BS degree
•Students dismissed from BFA may still finish BA/BS
•Pathway to MFA in Theatre & Dance
Key Info
Audition Requirements
Monologues
TWO MONOLOGUES, 60 sec each (in-person) / 90 sec each (video)
•ONE COMEDIC MONOLOGUE
•ONE DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE
•Time limits strictly enforced for in-person auditions
Songs
TWO SONG SELECTIONS, 16 bars each (in-person) / 32 bars each (video)
•ONE BALLAD
•ONE UPTEMPO SONG
Dance
MOVEMENT AUDITION
•Come prepared to move (in-person)
•Musical theatre dance combination for video audition — show what you can do
Additional Materials
BFA APPLICATION (required)
•Must be submitted in addition to the university application
•Due 48 hours before the scheduled audition
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (required)
•Two letters: one from a teacher and one from a director
VIDEO AUDITION (if unable to attend in-person)
•60-second introduction video
•Submit via email to nicholas.wayne@mnsu.edu
Good to Know
BFA APPLICATION
•Complete the BFA application on the department website in addition to the university application
•Application due 48 hours before the scheduled audition
•Two letters of recommendation required (one teacher, one director)
•Students may apply to all three BFA concentrations but can be admitted to only one
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
•Minimum GPA and/or rank in top 40% of high school class
•Students not meeting academic standards may be admitted but must meet BFA continuation requirements by end of freshman year
TALENT GRANTS
•Incoming students encouraged to apply for Theatre & Dance Talent Grant
•If applying for BFA, a separate Talent Grant application is NOT required
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•In-person auditions held twice per year: spring (February/March) and fall (week before classes)
•Video auditions accepted for students who cannot attend in person
•The department will contact you with your audition time after submitting the BFA application
IN-PERSON AUDITION
•Two 60-second monologues (one comedic, one dramatic)
•16-bar ballad and 16-bar uptempo song
•Movement audition
VIDEO AUDITION
•60-second introduction
•Two 90-second monologues (one comedic, one dramatic)
•Up to 32 bars from a ballad and 32 bars from an uptempo song
•Musical theatre dance combination
•Submit to nicholas.wayne@mnsu.edu
EVALUATION CRITERIA
•Prior academic record, vocal/dance/acting ability, stage presence
•Professional behavior and dedication to a professional musical theatre career
CONTACT
•Matthew Caron, Theatre Faculty
Program info updated Today
Academic School Information
3.29
Avg GPA (W)
91%
Admit Rate
53%
Grad Rate
11,325
Enrollment
$56,922
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$9,490
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,860
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$18,609
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.
Annual Cost by Family Income
Family Income $0 - $30k$11,920
Family Income $30k - $48k$12,568
Family Income $48k - $75k$15,200
Family Income $75k - $110k$19,870
Family Income $110k+$21,860
