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Rider University

Lawrenceville, NJ

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 Students

Program

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 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA 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 Students

Training

Faculty possess a combined century of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring experience

Performance lies at the heart of learning with theory put to practice on campus

Performance & Productions

Abundance of mainstage and student-led productions alongside performance groups

Opportunity to spend a semester in Los Angeles with industry professionals

Notable Alumni

Colby Dezelick ’16 — Broadway: Miss Saigon, Anastasia; National Tour: Frozen

Ron Orbach ’74 — Broadway: Chicago, Dance of the Vampires, Never Gonna Dance

Russell Fischer ’08 — Broadway: Jersey Boys (Joey/standby Frankie Valli); The Doo Wop Project

Kelly Prendergast ’18 — National Tour: Waitress

Rosie Webber ’16 — National Tour: Fiddler on the Roof

Location

Close proximity to New York City — the epicenter of American musical theater

Culminates in showcases for agents and casting directors in New York and Los Angeles

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2029: 26 students

Class of 2028: 36 students

Class of 2027: 38 students

Class of 2026: 25 students

School Info

Snapshot

3.49

Avg GPA (W)

79%

Admit Rate

school-wide

61%

Grad Rate

3.1K

Enrollment

$62K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$45,450

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$64,920

Before aid

Average Net Price

$24,792

After aid

Undergraduate · rider.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 4d ago

Program Highlights

Training

Faculty possess a combined century of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring experience

Performance lies at the heart of learning with theory put to practice on campus

Performance & Productions

Abundance of mainstage and student-led productions alongside performance groups

Opportunity to spend a semester in Los Angeles with industry professionals

Notable Alumni

Colby Dezelick ’16 — Broadway: Miss Saigon, Anastasia; National Tour: Frozen

Ron Orbach ’74 — Broadway: Chicago, Dance of the Vampires, Never Gonna Dance

Russell Fischer ’08 — Broadway: Jersey Boys (Joey/standby Frankie Valli); The Doo Wop Project

Kelly Prendergast ’18 — National Tour: Waitress

Rosie Webber ’16 — National Tour: Fiddler on the Roof

Location

Close proximity to New York City — the epicenter of American musical theater

Culminates in showcases for agents and casting directors in New York and Los Angeles

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2029: 26 students

Class of 2028: 36 students

Class of 2027: 38 students

Class of 2026: 25 students

Program Highlights

Training

Faculty possess a combined century of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring experience

Performance lies at the heart of learning with theory put to practice on campus

Performance & Productions

Abundance of mainstage and student-led productions alongside performance groups

Opportunity to spend a semester in Los Angeles with industry professionals

Notable Alumni

Colby Dezelick ’16 — Broadway: Miss Saigon, Anastasia; National Tour: Frozen

Ron Orbach ’74 — Broadway: Chicago, Dance of the Vampires, Never Gonna Dance

Russell Fischer ’08 — Broadway: Jersey Boys (Joey/standby Frankie Valli); The Doo Wop Project

Kelly Prendergast ’18 — National Tour: Waitress

Rosie Webber ’16 — National Tour: Fiddler on the Roof

Location

Close proximity to New York City — the epicenter of American musical theater

Culminates in showcases for agents and casting directors in New York and Los Angeles

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2029: 26 students

Class of 2028: 36 students

Class of 2027: 38 students

Class of 2026: 25 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App· Only option

Fee

$60

Deadline

Application Deadline (required before the prescreen upload; portal access takes at least 2 to 3 business days after you apply)Nov 15, 2026

How To Apply · rider.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Apply

School Website

Fee

Audition Registration Fee

$50

Deadline

Prescreen Deadline (recommended; uploads still accepted during the grace period below)Nov 15, 2026

Prescreen upload grace period ends (final cutoff)Nov 20, 2026

Auditions

On-Campus

Dec 12, 2026Jan 16, 2027

Regional Unified Auditions (New York)Jan 23–24, 2027

Live VirtualJan 30, 2027

Regional Unified Auditions (Chicago)Feb 1–4, 2027

Regional Unified Auditions (Anaheim)Feb 6–7, 2027

Scmpa · rider.edu Auditions · rider.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

MTCP Song Option C

Two Contrasting Songs

Prepare 2 musical selections, 60-90 seconds each

Choose either Option A or Option B

Option A

Sing 1 song written before 1970 and 1 song written after 1970

The 2 songs should contrast in style

Option B

Sing 1 musical theatre song from any time period and 1 contrasting song of your choice in any style

The 2 songs should contrast in style

Monologues

MTCP Monologue Option A

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

MTCP Dance Option B

One Dance Video

Submit 1 dance video that runs 60-90 seconds

Dance in the style that shows your strongest movement ability

Style Guidance

Any discipline is acceptable, including jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, or contemporary

The video may be self-choreographed, but it must be a solo

You may also use a recent performance clip if you are clearly featured alone

Ballet

MTCP Ballet Option B

Ballet — Optional

Submit only if you wish to showcase ballet skills

60-90 sec recommended

Wildcard / Special SkillOptional

Optional Wild Card Video - opportunity to show your personality or share something about you. Can be anything you want - a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, etc. Examples: singing or playing an original composition, performing your own SNL-styled skit, sharing a hobby, performing in another language, playing an instrument, making a how-to video, showing different dance styles

Additional Materials

Slate video: State your name (and pronouns if desired), speak loudly and clearly, no longer than 10 seconds

Artistic resume

Headshot (for live virtual auditions upload to dashboard, for other auditions bring physical copy)

Labeling

Label each video file with piece title, show/playwright, and your first & last name

Scmpa · rider.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Songs

Live Audition Songs

You may sing the same songs from your prescreen or choose different songs entirely

You may be asked to sing only one of your selections

Be prepared to sing something pop or contemporary if asked

Off-campus and virtual auditions require recorded track/accompaniment

Monologues

Requirements

Prepare your same monologue from your prescreen video

Additional Materials

For in-person auditions, bring a physical copy of your headshot

For in-person auditions, bring a physical copy of your resume

For live virtual auditions, upload your headshot to the Be A Bronc Applicant Dashboard

For live virtual auditions, upload your artistic resume to the Be A Bronc Applicant Dashboard

Scmpa · rider.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit academic application via Common App before uploading prescreen materials

Dashboard access arrives 2-3 business days after application receipt

Upload prescreen materials to Be A Bronc Applicant Dashboard by November 15

Grace period: materials accepted until November 20

Students cannot be considered for BFA Musical Theatre if materials are not uploaded by November 20

Program participates in Musical Theater Common Prescreen

Song Option C, Monologue Option A, Dance Option B, Ballet Option B

What's The Process

Audition Process

Results available within 3 to 4 weeks after complete submission

If you pass: Register for audition via Be A Bronc Applicant Dashboard

If you do not pass: Contacted by Office of Admission via email — still eligible for non-artistic review

Audition Expectations

Must attend a live audition for BFA Musical Theatre

Off-campus and virtual auditions require recorded track/accompaniment

You will not receive academic acceptance prior to your audition

Decisions

Students notified late February or early March regarding academic and artistic decision

Scholarship Info

Merit-based scholarships considered as part of admissions process

Complete application and audition by January 15 for maximum scholarship consideration

School Info

Snapshot

3.49

Avg GPA (W)

79%

Admit Rate

school-wide

61%

Grad Rate

3.1K

Enrollment

$62K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$45,450

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$64,920

Before aid

Average Net Price

$24,792

After aid

Undergraduate · rider.edu College Scorecard

Training

Faculty possess a combined century of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring experience

Performance lies at the heart of learning with theory put to practice on campus

Performance & Productions

Abundance of mainstage and student-led productions alongside performance groups

Opportunity to spend a semester in Los Angeles with industry professionals

Notable Alumni

Colby Dezelick ’16 — Broadway: Miss Saigon, Anastasia; National Tour: Frozen

Ron Orbach ’74 — Broadway: Chicago, Dance of the Vampires, Never Gonna Dance

Russell Fischer ’08 — Broadway: Jersey Boys (Joey/standby Frankie Valli); The Doo Wop Project

Kelly Prendergast ’18 — National Tour: Waitress

Rosie Webber ’16 — National Tour: Fiddler on the Roof

Location

Close proximity to New York City — the epicenter of American musical theater

Culminates in showcases for agents and casting directors in New York and Los Angeles

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2029: 26 students

Class of 2028: 36 students

Class of 2027: 38 students

Class of 2026: 25 students

Updated 4d ago