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Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Browse programs

Theatre

Dance

Music performance

Music education

Composition & music studies

Music technology

Quick links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program Recognition

NAST-accredited (National Association of Schools of Theatre) — one of only three Michigan universities

Member of the Musical Theatre Educators Alliance (MTEA)

Only Designated Linklater Voice Teacher (DTL) in Michigan on faculty

Conservatory-style training within a liberal arts university

90% job placement rate for theatre majors in recent years

Training

Acting classes, individual vocal instruction, and dance training

Ballet, jazz, and modern dance coursework

Musical theatre and opera performance opportunities

Nightclub Cabaret Acts course (THA 4051)

Performance & Productions

Michigan's largest Actors' Equity contracted theatre on campus (founded 1966)

Work alongside professional actors and directors under Equity contracts

One of the few undergraduate programs in the nation with a professional theatre company on campus

Three to four musical theatre productions per year on main stage

Notable Alumni

Jayne Houdyshell '74 — Tony Award winner (The Humans), 4 Tony nominations, 11 Broadway productions, 2 Obie Awards

David Hasselhoff — Knight Rider, Baywatch, Guinness World Record most-watched man on TV

Curtis Armstrong '75 — Risky Business, Revenge of the Nerds, Moonlighting, 160+ screen credits

Professional Development

Senior Experience and Showcase in New York City

Connects graduating students with industry professionals, casting directors, and agents

Classical Theatre study abroad in Greece

Workshops and masterclasses with Broadway and regional theatre leaders

Performance collaborations with OU's Film Studies and Production program

Kaleidoscope Cabaret — annual student-produced cabaret

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.48

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

12.4K

Earnings

$59K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,772

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$23,867

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$35,402

Before aid

Average net price

$9,120

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · oakland.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 2, 9:13 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NAST-accredited (National Association of Schools of Theatre) — one of only three Michigan universities

Member of the Musical Theatre Educators Alliance (MTEA)

Only Designated Linklater Voice Teacher (DTL) in Michigan on faculty

Conservatory-style training within a liberal arts university

90% job placement rate for theatre majors in recent years

Training

Acting classes, individual vocal instruction, and dance training

Ballet, jazz, and modern dance coursework

Musical theatre and opera performance opportunities

Nightclub Cabaret Acts course (THA 4051)

Performance & Productions

Michigan's largest Actors' Equity contracted theatre on campus (founded 1966)

Work alongside professional actors and directors under Equity contracts

One of the few undergraduate programs in the nation with a professional theatre company on campus

Three to four musical theatre productions per year on main stage

Notable Alumni

Jayne Houdyshell '74 — Tony Award winner (The Humans), 4 Tony nominations, 11 Broadway productions, 2 Obie Awards

David Hasselhoff — Knight Rider, Baywatch, Guinness World Record most-watched man on TV

Curtis Armstrong '75 — Risky Business, Revenge of the Nerds, Moonlighting, 160+ screen credits

Professional Development

Senior Experience and Showcase in New York City

Connects graduating students with industry professionals, casting directors, and agents

Classical Theatre study abroad in Greece

Workshops and masterclasses with Broadway and regional theatre leaders

Performance collaborations with OU's Film Studies and Production program

Kaleidoscope Cabaret — annual student-produced cabaret

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NAST-accredited (National Association of Schools of Theatre) — one of only three Michigan universities

Member of the Musical Theatre Educators Alliance (MTEA)

Only Designated Linklater Voice Teacher (DTL) in Michigan on faculty

Conservatory-style training within a liberal arts university

90% job placement rate for theatre majors in recent years

Training

Acting classes, individual vocal instruction, and dance training

Ballet, jazz, and modern dance coursework

Musical theatre and opera performance opportunities

Nightclub Cabaret Acts course (THA 4051)

Performance & Productions

Michigan's largest Actors' Equity contracted theatre on campus (founded 1966)

Work alongside professional actors and directors under Equity contracts

One of the few undergraduate programs in the nation with a professional theatre company on campus

Three to four musical theatre productions per year on main stage

Notable Alumni

Jayne Houdyshell '74 — Tony Award winner (The Humans), 4 Tony nominations, 11 Broadway productions, 2 Obie Awards

David Hasselhoff — Knight Rider, Baywatch, Guinness World Record most-watched man on TV

Curtis Armstrong '75 — Risky Business, Revenge of the Nerds, Moonlighting, 160+ screen credits

Professional Development

Senior Experience and Showcase in New York City

Connects graduating students with industry professionals, casting directors, and agents

Classical Theatre study abroad in Greece

Workshops and masterclasses with Broadway and regional theatre leaders

Performance collaborations with OU's Film Studies and Production program

Kaleidoscope Cabaret — annual student-produced cabaret

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

First Year · oakland.edu

Program AppApplication

Opens

Oct 1, 2026

Admissions And Auditions · oakland.edu

Audition Requirements

Songs

MTCP Song Option A

Two Contrasting Songs, 32-Bar Cuts

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, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.)

Second song should contrast the style of the first selection

Both songs should be 32-bar cuts

Accompaniment

Accompanist provided for in-person auditions

Bring sheet music in the correct key with all cuts clearly marked

Music should be placed in a binder for the accompanist

Songs to Avoid

Rent, The Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Les Miserables, Grease, Aida

Songs written for mature characters

Songs from the current hot new musical

Video Auditions

format

Sing to live or pre-recorded accompaniment — no a cappella

Monologues

MTCP Monologue Option A

One Contemporary Monologue, 1 Min Max

From a published play or written by a professional writer

Must not be from a musical

If monologue exceeds 1 minute, faculty may cut it short

Dance

MTCP Dance Option A

Group Dance Call

One week before the audition, candidates receive a link to a dance video to learn

Candidates have one week to learn the choreography and present it at the audition

No custom choreography is required

Attire

Women: character shoes, jazz shoes, leotards, tights, dance skirts, or non-bulky warm-up wear

Men: jazz shoes, tights, jazz pants or shorts, and a t-shirt

No bulky or oversized sweatpants or sweatshirts

Street shoes and sneakers may not be worn on the dance floor

Video Auditions

Video audition applicants sections per Oakland's video guidelines

All sections required: song 1, song 2, monologue, dance, ballet, and wildcard videos

Ballet

MTCP Ballet Option A

Ballet Video (Video Auditions Only)

Required — Oakland requires all sections for video auditions

Up to 60 seconds

Brief series of plié, tendu, and grande battement

Pirouette en dehors to both sides

One or more grand jeté across the floor

Full body shot — entire body in frame at all times

Video Auditions Only

Required section of Oakland's video-audition package (all MTCP Option A sections required)

Not part of in-person auditions

Up to 60 seconds; no slate required

Can be anything: a special skill, an interesting story, a passion speech, or an instrument you play

Additional Materials

Headshot (Required)

Headshot or recent photograph

Resume (Required)

Single-page resume listing productions, roles, and training

Slate (Video Auditions Only)

No separate slate video — combine your slate into the first video submitted

Admissions And Auditions · oakland.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply and be accepted to Oakland University first

Complete university application at least two weeks before audition date

No application fee or audition registration fee

For Fall 2027 entry, audition registration opens by October 1, 2026; Oakland says not to use the current prior-cycle form

In-person auditions are final auditions; Oakland does not have a prescreen round

Video audition alternatives use MTCP Option A materials only when a video audition is approved or selected

Enrollment

Fall enrollment

Transfer students follow the same two-step process and provide unofficial transcripts

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

Three parts: singing, acting, and dancing

Two 32-bar song selections with provided accompanist

One contemporary monologue, 1 minute max

Group dance call

Interview with faculty

Choreography video sent one week before audition

Learn choreography and present it at the audition

Years of technical training beneficial but enthusiasm valued

Video audition alternatives use MTCP Option A materials — Oakland requires all sections: song 1 and 2, monologue, dance, ballet, and wildcard videos (slate combined into the first video)

Upload video audition materials to a file-sharing platform such as YouTube, Google Drive, or iCloud

Set sharing permissions so anyone with the link can view

Virtual interview scheduled after faculty review

Contact

Alex Sellers at smtdadmissions@oakland.edu or (248) 370-2030

Scholarship Info

Departmental Scholarships

Talent-based scholarships awarded based on audition performance

Students who audition in February or March are automatically considered

No separate scholarship application required

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.48

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

12.4K

Earnings

$59K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,772

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$23,867

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$35,402

Before aid

Average net price

$9,120

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · oakland.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

NAST-accredited (National Association of Schools of Theatre) — one of only three Michigan universities

Member of the Musical Theatre Educators Alliance (MTEA)

Only Designated Linklater Voice Teacher (DTL) in Michigan on faculty

Conservatory-style training within a liberal arts university

90% job placement rate for theatre majors in recent years

Training

Acting classes, individual vocal instruction, and dance training

Ballet, jazz, and modern dance coursework

Musical theatre and opera performance opportunities

Nightclub Cabaret Acts course (THA 4051)

Performance & Productions

Michigan's largest Actors' Equity contracted theatre on campus (founded 1966)

Work alongside professional actors and directors under Equity contracts

One of the few undergraduate programs in the nation with a professional theatre company on campus

Three to four musical theatre productions per year on main stage

Notable Alumni

Jayne Houdyshell '74 — Tony Award winner (The Humans), 4 Tony nominations, 11 Broadway productions, 2 Obie Awards

David Hasselhoff — Knight Rider, Baywatch, Guinness World Record most-watched man on TV

Curtis Armstrong '75 — Risky Business, Revenge of the Nerds, Moonlighting, 160+ screen credits

Professional Development

Senior Experience and Showcase in New York City

Connects graduating students with industry professionals, casting directors, and agents

Classical Theatre study abroad in Greece

Workshops and masterclasses with Broadway and regional theatre leaders

Performance collaborations with OU's Film Studies and Production program

Kaleidoscope Cabaret — annual student-produced cabaret

Updated Sep 2, 9:13 PM