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Manhattan School of Music

New York, NY

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Program

BM Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

BM Musical Theatre

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BM Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

The only stand-alone conservatory musical theatre program in New York City

Fully accredited Bachelor of Music degree with a 132-credit curriculum

Training

Led by Dean Or Matias, with Broadway-experienced faculty across voice, acting, dance, music direction, design, and production

35+ artist-teachers with Broadway credits spanning Les Miserables, Phantom, Chicago, and Ragtime

Master classes with Broadway casting directors from Telsey + Company and Tara Rubin Casting

Performance & Productions

Four fully produced book musicals per year, plus a musical in development with professional writers

Freshman Hello! and Senior Showcase, attended by invited New York theatre professionals

Productions are directed, choreographed, and designed by working theatre artists

Notable Alumni

Jasmine Amy Rogers '19 — Broadway's BOOP! and The Sound of Music at Lincoln Center

Alysia Velez '22 — Broadway debut in the Into the Woods revival

Ayanna Nicole Thomas — Broadway cast of How to Dance in Ohio

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2029: 28 students

Class of 2028: 31 students

Class of 2027: 41 students

Class of 2025: 35 students

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.55

Admit rate

41%

school-wide

Grad rate

78%

Enrollment

539

Earnings

$27K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$62,800

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$88,542

Before aid

Average net price

$51,754

After aid

Accepted Students Us Citizens · msmnyc.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 2d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

The only stand-alone conservatory musical theatre program in New York City

Fully accredited Bachelor of Music degree with a 132-credit curriculum

Training

Led by Dean Or Matias, with Broadway-experienced faculty across voice, acting, dance, music direction, design, and production

35+ artist-teachers with Broadway credits spanning Les Miserables, Phantom, Chicago, and Ragtime

Master classes with Broadway casting directors from Telsey + Company and Tara Rubin Casting

Performance & Productions

Four fully produced book musicals per year, plus a musical in development with professional writers

Freshman Hello! and Senior Showcase, attended by invited New York theatre professionals

Productions are directed, choreographed, and designed by working theatre artists

Notable Alumni

Jasmine Amy Rogers '19 — Broadway's BOOP! and The Sound of Music at Lincoln Center

Alysia Velez '22 — Broadway debut in the Into the Woods revival

Ayanna Nicole Thomas — Broadway cast of How to Dance in Ohio

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2029: 28 students

Class of 2028: 31 students

Class of 2027: 41 students

Class of 2025: 35 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

The only stand-alone conservatory musical theatre program in New York City

Fully accredited Bachelor of Music degree with a 132-credit curriculum

Training

Led by Dean Or Matias, with Broadway-experienced faculty across voice, acting, dance, music direction, design, and production

35+ artist-teachers with Broadway credits spanning Les Miserables, Phantom, Chicago, and Ragtime

Master classes with Broadway casting directors from Telsey + Company and Tara Rubin Casting

Performance & Productions

Four fully produced book musicals per year, plus a musical in development with professional writers

Freshman Hello! and Senior Showcase, attended by invited New York theatre professionals

Productions are directed, choreographed, and designed by working theatre artists

Notable Alumni

Jasmine Amy Rogers '19 — Broadway's BOOP! and The Sound of Music at Lincoln Center

Alysia Velez '22 — Broadway debut in the Into the Woods revival

Ayanna Nicole Thomas — Broadway cast of How to Dance in Ohio

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2029: 28 students

Class of 2028: 31 students

Class of 2027: 41 students

Class of 2025: 35 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$130

Opens

Sep 1, 2026

Deadline

Priority Application DeadlineDec 1, 2026

College Dates Deadlines · msmnyc.edu

Program AppApplication

Deadline

Prescreen Videos DueDec 1, 2026

Auditions

Deadline to Schedule Musical Theatre AuditionJan 5, 2027

Tentative Musical Theatre Auditions (New York, NY)Jan 16–17, 2027

Musical Theatre Auditions — New York Unifieds (New York, NY)Jan 23–24, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Recorded Audition Submission DeadlineFeb 1, 2027

Prescreening Audition Procedures · msmnyc.edu College Dates Deadlines · msmnyc.edu General Audition Information · msmnyc.edu

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 C

Ballet not required

Wildcard / Special Skill

Wild Card Video (Required)

An opportunity to show your personality or share something about you — "What do you want us to know about you?"

Can be ANYTHING: a special skill, an interesting story, a passion speech, an instrument you play, etc.

60-90 seconds (MTCP standard)

Ideas That Have Worked in the Past

An original composition, song, poem, or choreographed dance

A Saturday Night Live-style skit featuring a comedic character you create

A hobby or activity that means something to you

Performing in a language other than English in which you are fluent

Playing an instrument

A "how-to" video on something you're good at — baking, calligraphy, gymnastics

A different dance style you excel in: tap, hip-hop, lyrical, ballet, etc.

Additional Materials

Headshot

Informal headshot uploaded via the application portal

Artistic Resume

Include: academic study, private study, performance experience, awards, distinctions, festivals, and summer programs

Essay Responses

Two essay responses required

Recommendation Letters

Two recommendation letters required

One from the current teacher of your primary instrument (e.g. voice teacher)

One from another musical or academic reference

Due January 15

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts

Due January 15

Prescreen Notes

Prescreen results released: December 21

Prescreening Audition Procedures · msmnyc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Songs

Two One-Minute Selections from the Musical Theatre Repertoire

One up-tempo song and one ballad

Recommended: one classic Musical Theatre piece and one contemporary Musical Theatre piece from the last 5-10 years

The singing/acting portion of the audition will last 5-7 minutes

Monologues

One Memorized Monologue, Approx. 1 Min

Monologue of your choice

Dance

Dance Call, Approx. 1 Hour

Group dance call led by MSM faculty

Attire

Clothing should allow for ease of movement but not be too loose-fitting

Footwear

Character shoes, jazz shoes, or sneakers

If proficient in pointe work, bring pointe shoes

Additional Materials

Headshot

Bring one physical copy to your audition

Resume

Bring one physical copy to your audition

Prescreening Audition Procedures · msmnyc.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply through MSM's online application portal

Applications submitted after December 1 are reviewed as space allows and require Admission Office approval

Approved late applications incur an additional $50 fee

Program Requirements

SAT and ACT scores are not required

Recommended minimum GPA: 3.0; applicants below that threshold remain eligible for holistic review

Important Notes

$130 nonrefundable application fee

Current MSM and Precollege students and MSM alumni pay $80

Transfer Pathway

BM Musical Theatre transfer applicants follow the same application and audition process as other undergraduate applicants. MSM determines artistic level through the audition and academic level through transcript and placement review; up to 60 transfer or examination credits may apply, while major lessons and ensembles do not transfer.

Transfer Students · msmnyc.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Upload recordings directly to your MSM application

Prescreen deadline: December 1

Deadline to schedule audition: January 5

Audition Expectations

Invitation-only — select applicants invited after prescreen review

In-person auditions held at MSM's NYC campus over two weekends in January

Recorded (virtual) auditions available for students unable to travel to NYC — contact admission@msmnyc.edu

Recorded audition submissions due February 1

Enthusiastic, highly motivated, collaborative individuals who bring a strong sense of self

Select material that feels authentic and demonstrates your individuality

Consider presenting at least one song or monologue by an underrepresented creator

Scholarship Info

Merit Scholarships

MSM Scholarship awarded based on audition performance and demonstrated financial need

Approximately 75% of full-time enrolled students receive scholarship aid

President's Award available for high-merit students without financial need (up to 50% of tuition)

Financial Aid

Financial Aid Questionnaire required of all applicants (internal MSM form, available on Status Portal)

CSS Profile and FAFSA required (due January 15)

Federal Work-Study and SEOG grants available for eligible students

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.55

Admit rate

41%

school-wide

Grad rate

78%

Enrollment

539

Earnings

$27K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$62,800

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$88,542

Before aid

Average net price

$51,754

After aid

Accepted Students Us Citizens · msmnyc.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

The only stand-alone conservatory musical theatre program in New York City

Fully accredited Bachelor of Music degree with a 132-credit curriculum

Training

Led by Dean Or Matias, with Broadway-experienced faculty across voice, acting, dance, music direction, design, and production

35+ artist-teachers with Broadway credits spanning Les Miserables, Phantom, Chicago, and Ragtime

Master classes with Broadway casting directors from Telsey + Company and Tara Rubin Casting

Performance & Productions

Four fully produced book musicals per year, plus a musical in development with professional writers

Freshman Hello! and Senior Showcase, attended by invited New York theatre professionals

Productions are directed, choreographed, and designed by working theatre artists

Notable Alumni

Jasmine Amy Rogers '19 — Broadway's BOOP! and The Sound of Music at Lincoln Center

Alysia Velez '22 — Broadway debut in the Into the Woods revival

Ayanna Nicole Thomas — Broadway cast of How to Dance in Ohio

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2029: 28 students

Class of 2028: 31 students

Class of 2027: 41 students

Class of 2025: 35 students

Updated 2d ago