Oberlin College
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Program Characteristics
Prescreen Required
Audition Required
No Interview
In-Person or Virtual
University App Required
MTCP ParticipantProgram Highlights
TRAINING
•Intensive BM curriculum: six semesters of acting, six semesters of music theater workshop, dance five days per week, and weekly private voice lessons — all four years
•Specialty training in audition technique, on-camera acting, and Shakespeare
•Undergraduate-focused — students audition for the full season beginning first semester
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
•11 performance venues on campus
•Partnership with Great Lakes Theater and sister companies Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival — audition, understudy, and perform toward Actors' Equity Association requirements
•Annual co-production with Beck Center for the Arts, a highly respected regional theater near campus
•Proximity to Playhouse Square in Cleveland, the largest performing arts center in the U.S. outside New York City
FACILITIES
•Conservatory East Studios: custom-built 8,600 sq ft facility with two multipurpose studios (ballet barres, sprung floors, mirrors, self-record AV systems), faculty studios, and four student practice rooms
SENIOR SHOWCASE
•Every graduating senior performs together in New York City and connects with industry professionals
WINTER TERM
•Intensive January courses each year: first-year industry boot camp with working professionals, major production rehearsals, fourth-year NYC showcase prep
CONSERVATORY ADVANTAGE
•Connected to Oberlin Conservatory — the only major music school focused on undergraduate education sharing a campus with a leading liberal arts college
•Double Degree option: 5-year BM (Conservatory) + BA (College)
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Julie Taymor '74 — Tony Award-winning director/costume designer (The Lion King)
•John Kander '51 — four-time Tony, two-time Emmy, and Grammy winner (Cabaret, Chicago)
•Montana Levi Blanco '07 — Tony Award-winning costume designer
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atCommon App
Deadlines
Early DecisionNov 1, 2025
Early ActionNov 1, 2025
Conservatory Early DecisionNov 1, 2025
Conservatory Regular DecisionDec 1, 2025
Conservatory Application Fee
$100Waiver
Program AppApplication
Deadlines
Early Decision PrescreenNov 1, 2025
Conservatory ApplicationDec 1, 2025
Regular Decision PrescreenDec 4, 2025
Auditions
Regional (San Diego, CA)Nov 15, 2025
Regional (Dallas, TX — Moonifieds, by invitation)Nov 21, 2025
Early Decision On-CampusDec 6, 2025
VirtualDec 13, 2025
Prescreen Requirements
Songs
TWO CONTRASTING SONGS, 60-90 sec each
•One musical theater song from any time period
•One song of your choice in any style (pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.)
-Should contrast the style of the first selection
Monologues
ONE MONOLOGUE, 60-90 sec
•From a published play or written by a professional writer
-A professional writer is someone whose plays have been produced but may not have been professionally published
Dance
ONE DANCE VIDEO, 60-90 sec
•Show your best version of dancing or moving
•Any style — no specific choreography required
Wildcard / Special Skill (Optional)
ONE OPTIONAL VIDEO, 60-90 sec
•Show your personality or share something about you
•Can be anything: special skill, passion speech, instrument, original composition, comedy sketch, hobby demo, etc.
•Examples: original song/poem, choreographed dance, "how-to" video, performance in another language, additional dance style (tap, hip-hop, lyrical, ballet)
Additional Materials
REQUIRED FORMS (via Applicant Portal)
•Audition/Interview Request Form — due November 4 (ED) or December 4 (RD)
•Musical Background and Selection Information Form — due November 4 (ED) or December 4 (RD)
•Two Teacher Recommendations from persons who can speak to musical/artistic abilities
-At least one from current or most recent private studio teacher or coach
-Recommenders have until December 18 to submit
ACADEMIC MATERIALS
•Academic transcripts from all secondary schools attended — due December 1 or two weeks after application, whichever is later
•Secondary School Report (via Common Application)
SCREENING MATERIALS
•Submit via Audition and Screening Dropbox on Applicant Portal
Callback Requirements
Songs
THREE CONTRASTING PIECES, 32 bars each
•Two of the three may be the same as prescreen selections
•Faculty will choose two of your three selections during the audition
ACCOMPANIMENT
•On-campus: accompanist provided — bring sheet music
•Off-campus/virtual: provide your own recorded accompaniment
Dance
LIVE DANCE CALL
•Taught combination at on-campus and most regional auditions
•No preparation required
Good to Know
APPLICANT PORTAL
•Access granted within 24-36 hours of Common App submission
•All required forms and screening materials submitted through the Applicant Portal (Audition and Screening Dropbox)
MTCP
•Program follows Musical Theater Common Prescreen requirements
REGIONAL AUDITIONS
•San Diego (Nov 15): Karyn Overstreet Vocal Studio students only
•Dallas (Nov 21-22): Moonifieds — College Audition Coach seniors, by invitation only
•NYC (Jan 3-4): MTCA members only
•Chicago Unifieds (Feb 1-3): open to all
ENROLLMENT
•Deposit: $300 due January 2 (ED) or May 1 (RD)
What's The Process
PRESCREEN
•Submit prescreening materials via Audition and Screening Dropbox on Applicant Portal
•Requirements follow MTCP standards
•Early Decision screening due November 1
•Regular Decision screening due December 4
•Screening review required for both rounds — ED does NOT bypass prescreen for Music Theater
LIVE AUDITION
•Must audition live — no pre-recorded audition option
•Formats: on-campus, regional, or virtual (Zoom)
•Voice component is performed live; dance, monologue, and wild card are reviewed from prescreen recordings
•In-person dance call at on-campus and most regional auditions
•Accompanist provided on campus — bring sheet music
•Off-campus/virtual: provide your own recorded accompaniment
NOTIFICATION
•Early Decision: by December 15, 2025
•Regular Decision: by April 1, 2026
Scholarship Info
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
•Nearly 100% of admitted conservatory students receive merit scholarships
•All new enrolling students receive at minimum the renewable $10,000 Oberlin Commitment Scholarship
•Midwest students eligible for $25,000 Midwest Merit Scholarship
•Early Decision admits receive priority housing selection and a free Trek bike (plus helmet and bike lock)
FINANCIAL AID
•Oberlin meets 100% of demonstrated financial need
Program info updated 1 week ago
Academic School Information
3.70
Avg GPA (W)
33%
Admit Rate
82%
Grad Rate
2,950
Enrollment
$58,343
Earnings
10yr after
Tuition & Fees
$64,646
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$39,184
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$19,257
Family Income $30k - $48k$13,640
Family Income $48k - $75k$23,475
Family Income $75k - $110k$36,946
Family Income $110k+$48,245
