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Southeast Missouri State University

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Ranked #1 undergraduate theatre program in Missouri and Top 30 nationally

Housed on arts-only River Campus overlooking Mississippi River

Training

Faculty and staff of industry professionals

Four mainstage theatre productions and one mainstage dance concert annually

Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival with guest artists

BFA Reviews with individual faculty feedback

Notable Alumni

Eileen Engel (2012) — actress and costume designer, St. Louis professional theatre

Anna Hebrank (2015) — performer with Disney Cruise Lines

Stephanie Peterson (2012) — professional actress in New York City

Keith Johnson (2013) — professional actor in San Diego

Sarah Tochtrop (2012) — performer with Princess Cruises

Professional Development

NYC or Los Angeles showcase opportunities

Professional audition opportunities across the country

Required internship through summer intensive programs

Alumni work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, NBC Universal, Disney

Study Abroad

Study abroad at NSKI University College in Oslo, Norway

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 22 students

School Info

Snapshot

3.50

Avg GPA

74%

Admit Rate

school-wide

58%

Grad Rate

6.4K

Enrollment

$44K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$10,560

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$10,560

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$23,106

Before aid

Average Net Price

$15,882

After aid

Cost · semo.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 18, 8:49 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Ranked #1 undergraduate theatre program in Missouri and Top 30 nationally

Housed on arts-only River Campus overlooking Mississippi River

Training

Faculty and staff of industry professionals

Four mainstage theatre productions and one mainstage dance concert annually

Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival with guest artists

BFA Reviews with individual faculty feedback

Notable Alumni

Eileen Engel (2012) — actress and costume designer, St. Louis professional theatre

Anna Hebrank (2015) — performer with Disney Cruise Lines

Stephanie Peterson (2012) — professional actress in New York City

Keith Johnson (2013) — professional actor in San Diego

Sarah Tochtrop (2012) — performer with Princess Cruises

Professional Development

NYC or Los Angeles showcase opportunities

Professional audition opportunities across the country

Required internship through summer intensive programs

Alumni work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, NBC Universal, Disney

Study Abroad

Study abroad at NSKI University College in Oslo, Norway

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 22 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Ranked #1 undergraduate theatre program in Missouri and Top 30 nationally

Housed on arts-only River Campus overlooking Mississippi River

Training

Faculty and staff of industry professionals

Four mainstage theatre productions and one mainstage dance concert annually

Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival with guest artists

BFA Reviews with individual faculty feedback

Notable Alumni

Eileen Engel (2012) — actress and costume designer, St. Louis professional theatre

Anna Hebrank (2015) — performer with Disney Cruise Lines

Stephanie Peterson (2012) — professional actress in New York City

Keith Johnson (2013) — professional actor in San Diego

Sarah Tochtrop (2012) — performer with Princess Cruises

Professional Development

NYC or Los Angeles showcase opportunities

Professional audition opportunities across the country

Required internship through summer intensive programs

Alumni work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, NBC Universal, Disney

Study Abroad

Study abroad at NSKI University College in Oslo, Norway

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 22 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Deadline

PriorityFeb 1, 2027

Regular DecisionRolling

How To Apply · semo.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

Early Action Application DueDec 6, 2026

Regular Decision Application DueFeb 28, 2027

Auditions

Pittsburgh Unified AuditionsOct 9, 2026

College Audition Project (St. Louis)Texas Thespians Festival (Grapevine)Nov 13, 2026

On-Campus Audition

Nov 21, 2026Jan 23, 2027Feb 27, 2027

Chicago Unified AuditionsFeb 1, 2027

Application portal · Acceptd Auditions · semo.edu

Prescreen Requirements

This program has a required admission audition and a separate internal audition gate after enrollment. The gateway source documents the post-enrollment gate; admission requirement details may be separate.Gateway source

Songs

MTCP Song Option A

Two Contrasting Songs

Cuts of up to 90 seconds each

One song written before 1970

One song written after 1970

Styles may include musical theater, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.

Must sing to musical accompaniment (live or pre-recorded)

Monologues

MTCP Monologue Option A

One Contemporary Monologue, 60-90 Seconds

From a published contemporary play (written after 1900)

Cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies

Dance

MTCP Dance Option A

Dance Video, 30-60 Seconds

Submit in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident

May include jazz, ballet, tap, modern, cultural dance styles, hip hop, lyrical, or contemporary

Do not submit barre work

Use steps and movement you are familiar with and can execute well

Filming

Must be a solo video of you (can include show or competition footage if featured alone)

All choreography must be performed to music

Film in full-body shot, keeping entire body in frame at all times

Applicants do not need to slate in dance media

Style

Choreography and movement should be character-driven and connected to the music

Ballet

MTCP Ballet Option C

Ballet not required

Wildcard / Special SkillOptional

Optional additional video highlighting a special skill, interesting story about yourself, passion speech, musical instrument you play, etc.

Additional Materials

Headshot

Upload a recent headshot (need not be professional)

Resume

Include roles played, formal training, awards, and recognitions

Auditions · semo.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Songs

Two Contrasting Songs

Present cuts of up to 90 seconds each

One song written before 1970

One song written after 1970

Monologues

One Contemporary Monologue

60-90 seconds

From a published contemporary play written after 1900

Dance

Dance Call

Learn and perform a jazz combination with faculty

No prepared material required

Auditions · semo.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Must apply academically to SEMO via Common App or university portal before applying to the BFA program

Register for the BFA Musical Theatre audition via Acceptd after the university application; spring/fall 2027 submissions open August 1, 2026

Applications must be submitted at least five days before the requested in-person audition date

Dual Consideration option on Acceptd lets applicants audition for both BFA Musical Theatre and BFA Acting

Program follows Musical Theater Common Prescreen requirements: Song Option A, Monologue Option A, Dance Option A, Ballet Option C

Admission Pathway

Students declaring BFA Theatre first enter as pre-theatre BFA majors; formal BFA admittance requires the BFA Admittance Audition

Incoming freshmen and transfer students may audition before their first semester at Southeast; otherwise, they audition during their first year

Transfer Pathway

SEMO publishes a St. Charles Community College AA-to-BFA Theatre: Musical Theatre Option articulation plan. Students should follow the official plan and still meet the BFA Musical Theatre audition/admittance requirements.

Registrar Articulationagreement Stcharlestheatre.Pdf · semo.edu

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

In-person or video submission — both carry equal weight

Video submissions are not prescreens — they represent your full audition

Each piece filmed and uploaded as separate media via Acceptd

Two contrasting songs performed live

One contemporary monologue performed live

Dance call: learn and perform a jazz combination with faculty (no prepared material needed)

Opportunity to tour facilities, take a masterclass, and speak with faculty

Faculty may contact video applicants for a virtual interview or to work material

Applications must be submitted at least 5 days before requested in-person audition

Auditioning automatically considers you for conservatory scholarships

Decisions

Early Decision applicants notified in mid-December

Regular Decision applicants notified by mid-March

Scholarship Info

Scholarship Details

Theatre and Dance Scholarships valued at $500, $1,000, or $1,500

Renewable with acceptable progress

Automatic consideration when auditioning for BFA programs

Eligibility

Enhanced ACT composite score of at least 21 or SAT composite score of at least 1080

Cumulative high school GPA of 3.0

Renewal Requirements

Maintain 2.5 cumulative SEMO GPA

Maintain 3.0 cumulative Theatre and Dance GPA

Earn B or higher in all Rehearsal and Production classes

School Info

Snapshot

3.50

Avg GPA

74%

Admit Rate

school-wide

58%

Grad Rate

6.4K

Enrollment

$44K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$10,560

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$10,560

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$23,106

Before aid

Average Net Price

$15,882

After aid

Cost · semo.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Ranked #1 undergraduate theatre program in Missouri and Top 30 nationally

Housed on arts-only River Campus overlooking Mississippi River

Training

Faculty and staff of industry professionals

Four mainstage theatre productions and one mainstage dance concert annually

Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival with guest artists

BFA Reviews with individual faculty feedback

Notable Alumni

Eileen Engel (2012) — actress and costume designer, St. Louis professional theatre

Anna Hebrank (2015) — performer with Disney Cruise Lines

Stephanie Peterson (2012) — professional actress in New York City

Keith Johnson (2013) — professional actor in San Diego

Sarah Tochtrop (2012) — performer with Princess Cruises

Professional Development

NYC or Los Angeles showcase opportunities

Professional audition opportunities across the country

Required internship through summer intensive programs

Alumni work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, NBC Universal, Disney

Study Abroad

Study abroad at NSKI University College in Oslo, Norway

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 22 students

Updated Aug 18, 8:49 PM