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Missouri State University

Springfield, MO

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen May Be RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen May Be RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Theatre

Dance

Quick links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen May Be RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Dual accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Ranked among North America’s top pre-Broadway training programs by CollegeXpress

Training

Conservatory-style curriculum integrating acting, singing, and dance within a liberal arts framework

Four musical theatre productions annually plus Tent Theatre, MSU’s Actors’ Equity summer repertory company (est. 1963, AEA since 2008)

Approximately 15 students admitted per year

Notable Alumni

Kyle Dean Massey — Broadway’s Pippin, Wicked, Company

Kendra Kassebaum — Broadway’s Glinda in Wicked, Come From Away, Rent, Assassins

Nathan Tysen — Tony-nominated lyricist (Paradise Square, The Great Gatsby on Broadway/West End)

Janae Hammond — Broadway cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Professional Development

Senior Showcase in New York City or Los Angeles

Three-year transfer degree plan available

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 12 students

Class of 2029: 26 students

Class of 2028: 28 students

Class of 2027: 16 students

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.71

Admit rate

91%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

13.3K

Earnings

$50K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$12,450

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$23,280

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$28,906

Before aid

Average net price

$17,613

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · missouristate.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Dual accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Ranked among North America’s top pre-Broadway training programs by CollegeXpress

Training

Conservatory-style curriculum integrating acting, singing, and dance within a liberal arts framework

Four musical theatre productions annually plus Tent Theatre, MSU’s Actors’ Equity summer repertory company (est. 1963, AEA since 2008)

Approximately 15 students admitted per year

Notable Alumni

Kyle Dean Massey — Broadway’s Pippin, Wicked, Company

Kendra Kassebaum — Broadway’s Glinda in Wicked, Come From Away, Rent, Assassins

Nathan Tysen — Tony-nominated lyricist (Paradise Square, The Great Gatsby on Broadway/West End)

Janae Hammond — Broadway cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Professional Development

Senior Showcase in New York City or Los Angeles

Three-year transfer degree plan available

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 12 students

Class of 2029: 26 students

Class of 2028: 28 students

Class of 2027: 16 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Dual accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Ranked among North America’s top pre-Broadway training programs by CollegeXpress

Training

Conservatory-style curriculum integrating acting, singing, and dance within a liberal arts framework

Four musical theatre productions annually plus Tent Theatre, MSU’s Actors’ Equity summer repertory company (est. 1963, AEA since 2008)

Approximately 15 students admitted per year

Notable Alumni

Kyle Dean Massey — Broadway’s Pippin, Wicked, Company

Kendra Kassebaum — Broadway’s Glinda in Wicked, Come From Away, Rent, Assassins

Nathan Tysen — Tony-nominated lyricist (Paradise Square, The Great Gatsby on Broadway/West End)

Janae Hammond — Broadway cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Professional Development

Senior Showcase in New York City or Los Angeles

Three-year transfer degree plan available

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 12 students

Class of 2029: 26 students

Class of 2028: 28 students

Class of 2027: 16 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Deadline

Priority Application Deadline for Fall 2027 (scholarships, housing, classes)Dec 1, 2026

Admission Requirements · missouristate.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

Prescreen deadline for Transfer, Texas Thespian and Moonifieds auditionsOct 15, 2026

Acceptd prescreen application deadline (11:59 p.m. CST)Jan 19, 2027

Auditions

Pittsburgh Unifieds (In-Person)Oct 9–12, 2026

Pittsburgh Unifieds (Virtual)Oct 16–18, 2026

DrewnifiedsOct 23–25, 2026

CAP Auditions (St. Louis, MO)Nov 12–15, 2026

Texas Thespian Conference (Grapevine, TX)Nov 18–21, 2026

Moonifieds (Dallas, TX)Nov 19–22, 2026

MTCA Private Audition Weekend (New York, NY)Dec 10–13, 2026

Missouri Thespian Conference (St. Louis, MO)Jan 7–9, 2027

Chicago Unifieds (Chicago, IL)Feb 1–4, 2027

MSU In-Person Auditions (Springfield, MO)Feb 12–13, 2027

MSU Virtual AuditionsFeb 19–20, 2027

First-year applicants

Missouri Thespian Conference College Audition Registration DeadlineFor the Jan 7, Jan 8 or Jan 9 auditionNov 1, 2026

Transfer applicants

MSU Transfer Auditions (Springfield, MO)Nov 6, 2026

Application portal · Acceptd Mustheatreaudition · musicaltheatre.missouristate.edu Edit · docs.google.com

Conditional Prescreen Requirements

Missouri State requires an Acceptd video prescreen unless you audition through one of its announced live prescreen events (Pittsburgh Unifieds, Drewnifieds, CAP St. Louis, or the Missouri Thespian Conference), where the prescreen happens live at the event instead.

Songs

MTCP Song Option C

Two Contrasting songs, 60-90 sec each recommended

Choose either Option A or Option B

Option A

One song written before 1970 (musical theater, Golden Age, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.)

One song written after 1970 (musical theater, Golden Age, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.)

Option B

One musical theater song from any time period

One song of your choice from any time period and in any style (pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.)

Should contrast the style of the first selection

Monologues

MTCP Monologue Option A

One monologue, 60-90 sec recommended

From a published play or one written by a professional writer

A professional writer is someone whose plays have been produced but may not have been professionally published

Dance

MTCP Dance Option B

One Dance Video

Show us your best version of choreographed dancing or moving

You may use recent videos of you from a show or concert, but it must just be you in the frame

Dance media can be "self-choreographed", but it must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own

Ballet

MTCP Ballet Option C

Ballet not required

Wildcard / Special SkillOptional

Wildcard optional

Additional Materials

Headshot

Required

Resume

Required

Letter of Recommendation (Optional)

Slate Video (Required)

"Record one introduction “slate” video stating your name. If you would like to include your pronouns, state them as well. Please speak loudly (project your voice) and clearly (articulate) directly at the camera."

The slate video should be no longer than 10 seconds

Submit as a separate video; do not slate individual performance pieces

Video Specifications

Framing

Slates, songs, and monologues: a waist-up frame is recommended so your face can be seen and you can be heard clearly

Dance and ballet: use a setup that allows the camera to see from the top of your head to the floor, including your feet; your entire body should remain visible throughout the dance

Film horizontally ("landscape"), with the camera at approximately eye level

Files

Film and upload each performance piece as a separate piece of media; do not submit continuous videos

Labeling

There is no need to slate your individual performance videos & pieces

Label each video file with the piece you are performing, the show or playwright, and your first & last name

Title of Song – Musical/Show – Your First & Last Name

Title of Play – Playwright – Your First & Last Name

Slate – Your First & Last Name

Wild Card – Your First & Last Name

Dance – Your First & Last Name

MTCP Guidelines

Follow Musical Theatre Common Prescreen (MTCP) camera framing, labeling, and submission guidance through Acceptd

Personal Statement or Letter of Intent

The school shows this prompt only after you sign in to Acceptd.

Application portal · Acceptd

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Songs

Requirements

Two Contrasting Songs (per MTCP prescreen requirements)

Accompaniment

Zoom auditions: Vocal assessment based on prescreen videos — live audition is monologue only

Chicago Unifieds: Must provide own recorded accompaniment and speaker

MSU campus auditions: Accompanist provided — bring sheet music in correct key

Other Unifieds (PUA, CAP, Drewnfield, etc.): Follow sponsoring organization guidelines

Monologues

Requirements

One Monologue (per MTCP prescreen requirements)

Be prepared to receive and apply adjustments during session

Additional Materials

Recorded accompaniment for Chicago Unifieds

Speaker for Chicago Unifieds

Sheet music in the correct key (MSU campus auditions only: an accompanist is provided on campus)

Application portal · Acceptd

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to Missouri State University and submit the departmental prescreen through Acceptd

The Acceptd portal is open for the 2026-2027 cycle; the published timeline sets a prescreen deadline of January 19, 2027

Missouri State uses MTCP Song Option C, Monologue Option A, Dance Option B, and Ballet Option C (no ballet required)

Applicants attending an announced live prescreen event should wait for prescreen results before registering through Acceptd

Applying to a second BFA program: complete one application and use coupon code 02msutd26 to waive the second application fee; the code can only be applied after the first application fee has been paid

Transfer Pathway

Missouri State publishes a three-year BFA Musical Theatre transfer plan, including a dedicated route for Ozarks Technical Community College students and a plan for transfers from other schools.

Threeyear · musicaltheatre.missouristate.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

All applicants must complete an Acceptd prescreen unless applying through an announced live prescreen event

Applicants who pass are invited to a live audition and interview

Audition Expectations

In-person and virtual auditions are offered; the published audition schedule appears in the Acceptd overview

Each audition includes a faculty conversation and may include adjustments to prepared material

Zoom auditions use the prescreen videos for vocal assessment; the live session focuses on the monologue

Campus auditions provide an accompanist; applicants bring sheet music in the correct key

Scholarship Info

Departmental Scholarships

16 $2,000 activity scholarships awarded annually

Distribution based on faculty recommendation

Six $2,000 In-School Players scholarships

Awarded via audition process held in spring

Recipients must participate in In-School Players for a full year

Out-of-State Tuition Waivers

Some waivers available based on need and faculty recommendation

Must maintain 3.0 GPA to qualify

Must reapply each semester

Application

Complete MSU Annual Scholarship Application

Returning students: complete Returning Student Scholarship Application by March 1

FAFSA required by March 31 if scholarship requires proof of financial need

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.71

Admit rate

91%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

13.3K

Earnings

$50K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$12,450

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$23,280

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$28,906

Before aid

Average net price

$17,613

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · missouristate.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Dual accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Ranked among North America’s top pre-Broadway training programs by CollegeXpress

Training

Conservatory-style curriculum integrating acting, singing, and dance within a liberal arts framework

Four musical theatre productions annually plus Tent Theatre, MSU’s Actors’ Equity summer repertory company (est. 1963, AEA since 2008)

Approximately 15 students admitted per year

Notable Alumni

Kyle Dean Massey — Broadway’s Pippin, Wicked, Company

Kendra Kassebaum — Broadway’s Glinda in Wicked, Come From Away, Rent, Assassins

Nathan Tysen — Tony-nominated lyricist (Paradise Square, The Great Gatsby on Broadway/West End)

Janae Hammond — Broadway cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Professional Development

Senior Showcase in New York City or Los Angeles

Three-year transfer degree plan available

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 12 students

Class of 2029: 26 students

Class of 2028: 28 students

Class of 2027: 16 students

Updated 1d ago