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Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Theatre

Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Home of the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre, founded with a $15M gift from Broadway producer G. Marlyne Sexton

First cohort recruiting for Fall 2026 under inaugural Music Director Kimberly Grigsby (Broadway: Spring Awakening, To Kill a Mockingbird, Camelot)

Training

Conservatory-style BFA blending acting, voice, movement, and musicianship within a liberal arts university

Integrated acting-for-musical-theatre and movement-for-musical-theatre sequences starting sophomore year

Regular masterclasses and residencies with Broadway performers and industry leaders

Performance & Productions

Mainstage casting begins junior year; cabarets, workshops, and class projects available earlier

Three performance venues in the Owen Arts Center: Bob Hope Theatre, Greer Garson Theatre, and Margo Jones black box

Collaboration with Dallas's professional companies including Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center and Theatre Three

Professional Development

Senior digital showcase marketed to agents and casting directors across major markets

Faculty with active Broadway and regional theatre careers

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.67

Admit rate

63%

school-wide

Grad rate

84%

Enrollment

7.3K

Earnings

$78K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$71,816

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$96,388

Before aid

Average net price

$40,892

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · smu.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 29, 11:50 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Home of the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre, founded with a $15M gift from Broadway producer G. Marlyne Sexton

First cohort recruiting for Fall 2026 under inaugural Music Director Kimberly Grigsby (Broadway: Spring Awakening, To Kill a Mockingbird, Camelot)

Training

Conservatory-style BFA blending acting, voice, movement, and musicianship within a liberal arts university

Integrated acting-for-musical-theatre and movement-for-musical-theatre sequences starting sophomore year

Regular masterclasses and residencies with Broadway performers and industry leaders

Performance & Productions

Mainstage casting begins junior year; cabarets, workshops, and class projects available earlier

Three performance venues in the Owen Arts Center: Bob Hope Theatre, Greer Garson Theatre, and Margo Jones black box

Collaboration with Dallas's professional companies including Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center and Theatre Three

Professional Development

Senior digital showcase marketed to agents and casting directors across major markets

Faculty with active Broadway and regional theatre careers

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Home of the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre, founded with a $15M gift from Broadway producer G. Marlyne Sexton

First cohort recruiting for Fall 2026 under inaugural Music Director Kimberly Grigsby (Broadway: Spring Awakening, To Kill a Mockingbird, Camelot)

Training

Conservatory-style BFA blending acting, voice, movement, and musicianship within a liberal arts university

Integrated acting-for-musical-theatre and movement-for-musical-theatre sequences starting sophomore year

Regular masterclasses and residencies with Broadway performers and industry leaders

Performance & Productions

Mainstage casting begins junior year; cabarets, workshops, and class projects available earlier

Three performance venues in the Owen Arts Center: Bob Hope Theatre, Greer Garson Theatre, and Margo Jones black box

Collaboration with Dallas's professional companies including Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center and Theatre Three

Professional Development

Senior digital showcase marketed to agents and casting directors across major markets

Faculty with active Broadway and regional theatre careers

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App ApplyTexas Coalition App

Deadline

Early application deadlineNov 1, 2026

Fall 2027 Regular Decision Application DeadlineFall 2027 Early Decision II Application DeadlineJan 15, 2027

Process · smu.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The prescreen may be submitted before the university application.

Apply

School Website

Deadline

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Prescreen Deadline for Early AuditionsNov 1, 2026

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Prescreen Deadline for Later AuditionsDec 10, 2026

Auditions

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre On-Campus Audition

Dec 5, 2026Feb 20, 2027

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre New York Unifieds - First DayJan 23, 2027

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre New York Unifieds - Second DayJan 24, 2027

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Chicago Unifieds - First DayFeb 1, 2027

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Chicago Unifieds - Second DayFeb 2, 2027

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Chicago Unifieds - Third DayFeb 3, 2027

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Chicago Unifieds - Fourth DayFeb 4, 2027

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Los Angeles Unifieds - First DayFeb 6, 2027

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Los Angeles Unifieds - Second DayFeb 7, 2027

Undergraduatestudies · smu.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

Requirements

Two Full Musical Theatre Songs

Upload to YouTube or Vimeo and link in Meadows Portfolio tab

Monologues

Requirements

One Contemporary Monologue

Additional Materials

INTRODUCTORY SLATE: Introduce yourself and the pieces you will be performing

Undergraduatestudies · smu.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Songs

Requirements

Three Full Musical Theatre Songs

Bring properly marked sheet music for on-campus auditions

Use recorded tracks for virtual and Unified auditions

Required to perform one song — prepare other two in case requested

Monologues

Requirements

Two Contrasting Monologues from Contemporary Plays

Dance

Requirements

On-campus auditions: participate in the morning dance call, 9:30-11:00 a.m. CT

Virtual or Unified auditions: submit a recorded dance combination no later than the day before the scheduled audition in place of the dance call

Upload large video files to YouTube or Vimeo and link them in the Meadows Portfolio tab

Additional Materials

Headshot (upload to the application and bring two physical copies to the audition)

Resume (upload to the application and bring two physical copies to the audition)

Properly marked sheet music (on-campus auditions)

INTRODUCTORY SLATE: Introduce yourself and the pieces you will be performing

Undergraduatestudies · smu.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Must apply separately to SMU and to Meadows School of the Arts Division of Theatre

Submit Meadows Theatre Application and audition registration

Eligibility

Must audition during regular audition season

All new Theatre students begin courses in the fall semester

Important Notes

SMU is waiving the undergraduate application fee for first-year and transfer applicants

Transfer Pathway

Theatre transfer applicants audition during the regular season and begin theatre coursework in a fall term. Acting-specialization transfers should plan for at least six semesters at SMU.

Undergraduatestudies · smu.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Submit pre-screen video through Meadows Theatre Application

Nov/Dec audition applicants: submit by November 1

Jan/Feb audition applicants: submit by December 10

Results typically sent mid-November and mid-December respectively

Audition Expectations

By invitation only after passing prescreen

All auditions will be recorded

Faculty may request additional songs or different monologue approach

Morning dance call (9:30am–11:00am CT), then free until scheduled audition time

Auditions last about 10 minutes per applicant

Must submit recorded dance combination by day before audition

Scholarship Info

Artistic Merit Scholarship

Meadows awards over $8 million in scholarships and grants annually

Scholarship based on audition performance and departmental need

No separate scholarship application required

97% of incoming Dually Admitted students receive scholarship or financial aid

Academic Merit

SMU academic merit scholarships available separately

Presidents' Scholar and Hunt Leadership Scholar applicants must audition in fall semester

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.67

Admit rate

63%

school-wide

Grad rate

84%

Enrollment

7.3K

Earnings

$78K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$71,816

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$96,388

Before aid

Average net price

$40,892

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · smu.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Home of the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre, founded with a $15M gift from Broadway producer G. Marlyne Sexton

First cohort recruiting for Fall 2026 under inaugural Music Director Kimberly Grigsby (Broadway: Spring Awakening, To Kill a Mockingbird, Camelot)

Training

Conservatory-style BFA blending acting, voice, movement, and musicianship within a liberal arts university

Integrated acting-for-musical-theatre and movement-for-musical-theatre sequences starting sophomore year

Regular masterclasses and residencies with Broadway performers and industry leaders

Performance & Productions

Mainstage casting begins junior year; cabarets, workshops, and class projects available earlier

Three performance venues in the Owen Arts Center: Bob Hope Theatre, Greer Garson Theatre, and Margo Jones black box

Collaboration with Dallas's professional companies including Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center and Theatre Three

Professional Development

Senior digital showcase marketed to agents and casting directors across major markets

Faculty with active Broadway and regional theatre careers

Updated Aug 29, 11:50 PM