Program
Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewIn-Person or VirtualSelectiveUniversity App RequiredMTCP Participant
Program Characteristics
Program 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
Conservatory Application Fee
$100Waiver
Fee waivers available via Common App
Prescreen Requirements
Songs
•MTCP Song Option B:
-One musical theater song from any time period
-One contrasting song of your choice (any style)
-60-90 seconds each
Monologues
•MTCP Monologue Option A:
-One monologue from a published play or professional writer
-60-90 seconds
Dance
ONE DANCE VIDEO, 60-90 sec
•Show us your best version of dancing or moving
•Any style — no specific choreography required
Ballet
•MTCP Ballet Option C:
-Ballet not 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, or choreographed dance
•Saturday Night Live-styled skit with a comedic character you create
•Sharing a hobby or activity that means something to you
•Performance in a language other than English in which you are fluent
•Playing an instrument
•"How-to" video on something you are good at (baking, calligraphy, gymnastics)
•Additional dance style you excel in (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/most recent private studio teacher or coach
-Recommenders have until December 18
ACADEMIC
•Academic transcripts
•Secondary School Report (via Common App)
SCREENING MATERIALS
•Submit via Audition and Screening Dropbox on Applicant Portal
Callback Requirements
Songs
THREE DIFFERENT PIECES OR EXCERPTS, 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
MTCP
•Program follows Musical Theater Common Prescreen requirements
ENROLLMENT
•Deposit $300 due January 2 (ED) or May 1 (RD)
What's The Process
PRESCREEN
•Submit via Audition and Screening Dropbox on Applicant Portal
•ED screening due November 1; RD screening due December 4
•ED does NOT bypass prescreen for Music Theater
LIVE AUDITION
•Must audition live — no pre-recorded option
•Formats: on-campus, regional, or virtual (Zoom)
•Voice component performed live; dance, monologue, and wild card reviewed from prescreen recordings
•In-person dance call at on-campus and most regional auditions
ACCOMPANIMENT
•On-campus: accompanist provided — bring sheet music
•Off-campus/virtual: provide own recorded accompaniment
NOTIFICATION
•ED by December 15, 2025
•RD 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 2d ago
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
Updated 2d ago
Academic School Information
3.70
Avg GPA (W)
34%
Admit Rate
80%
Grad Rate
2,887
Enrollment
$58,343
Earnings
10yr after
Tuition & Fees
$67,366
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$38,645
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.
Family Income $0 - $30k$18,774
Family Income $30k - $48k$15,799
Family Income $48k - $75k$22,123
Family Income $75k - $110k$29,207
Family Income $110k+$48,731
