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Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI

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Program

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

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

3.48

Avg GPA (W)

88%

Admit Rate

school-wide

58%

Grad Rate

12.4K

Enrollment

$59K

Earnings

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

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 5d ago

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 2028

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Opens

Oct 1, 2026

Official Source

Audition Requirements

Songs

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

•Follow MTCP Option A format

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

Monologues

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

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 follow MTCP Option A sections per Oakland's video guidelines

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

Ballet

Ballet Video (Video Auditions Only)

•Required — Oakland requires all MTCP Option A 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 — include a slate at the beginning of each piece, counted within the time limit

Official SourceVerified for Fall 2028 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply and be accepted to Oakland University first

•Complete university application at least two weeks before audition date

•Register for an audition via the SMTD registration form when registration is open

•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

3.48

Avg GPA (W)

88%

Admit Rate

school-wide

58%

Grad Rate

12.4K

Enrollment

$59K

Earnings

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

Official source 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 5d ago