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SUNY Cortland

Cortland, NY

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Program

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

BFA Musical Theatre

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

One of only three SUNY institutions offering a BFA in Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre is the only major in the Performing Arts Department — all productions and resources are dedicated to MT students

Housed in the renovated Dowd Fine Arts Center ($22 million renovation in 2014)

Training

Seven semesters of ballet training

Private voice instruction with a dedicated teacher

Comprehensive curriculum in acting, spoken voice, theatre history, jazz dance, tap dance, and theatre dance

124-credit intensive studio program

Small class sizes foster meaningful mentorship and a tight-knit artistic community

Professional Development

Industry showcase in New York City for seniors and alumni

Full year of performance opportunities including mainstage musicals, classic and contemporary plays, student-directed projects, and cabaret-style showcases

Approximately 20 faculty and staff members across acting, ballet, piano, voice, and technical theatre

Facilities

400-seat mainstage theater, intimate recital hall, flexible black-box space, dedicated dance studio, and ample rehearsal and practice rooms

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.48

Admit rate

60%

school-wide

Grad rate

68%

Enrollment

5.9K

Earnings

$60K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$8,880

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$18,990

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$29,530

Before aid

Average net price

$22,345

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · www2.cortland.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 16, 11:45 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

One of only three SUNY institutions offering a BFA in Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre is the only major in the Performing Arts Department — all productions and resources are dedicated to MT students

Housed in the renovated Dowd Fine Arts Center ($22 million renovation in 2014)

Training

Seven semesters of ballet training

Private voice instruction with a dedicated teacher

Comprehensive curriculum in acting, spoken voice, theatre history, jazz dance, tap dance, and theatre dance

124-credit intensive studio program

Small class sizes foster meaningful mentorship and a tight-knit artistic community

Professional Development

Industry showcase in New York City for seniors and alumni

Full year of performance opportunities including mainstage musicals, classic and contemporary plays, student-directed projects, and cabaret-style showcases

Approximately 20 faculty and staff members across acting, ballet, piano, voice, and technical theatre

Facilities

400-seat mainstage theater, intimate recital hall, flexible black-box space, dedicated dance studio, and ample rehearsal and practice rooms

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

One of only three SUNY institutions offering a BFA in Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre is the only major in the Performing Arts Department — all productions and resources are dedicated to MT students

Housed in the renovated Dowd Fine Arts Center ($22 million renovation in 2014)

Training

Seven semesters of ballet training

Private voice instruction with a dedicated teacher

Comprehensive curriculum in acting, spoken voice, theatre history, jazz dance, tap dance, and theatre dance

124-credit intensive studio program

Small class sizes foster meaningful mentorship and a tight-knit artistic community

Professional Development

Industry showcase in New York City for seniors and alumni

Full year of performance opportunities including mainstage musicals, classic and contemporary plays, student-directed projects, and cabaret-style showcases

Approximately 20 faculty and staff members across acting, ballet, piano, voice, and technical theatre

Facilities

400-seat mainstage theater, intimate recital hall, flexible black-box space, dedicated dance studio, and ample rehearsal and practice rooms

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

$50

Deadline

First-year applicants

Early ActionNov 15, 2026

Recommended First-Year Application DateDec 1, 2026

Rolling Admission

Transfer applicants

Recommended Fall Transfer Application DateJun 1, 2027

Fall Rolling Transfer Admission

Requirements.Dot · www2.cortland.edu Faqs.Dot · www2.cortland.edu Transfer Students · www2.cortland.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

On-Campus Audition

Oct 3, 2026Apr 3, 2027

Pittsburgh UnifiedsOct 9–12, 2026

MARCAS (New Jersey)Nov 13–14, 2026

Virginia Thespian FestivalJan 15–17, 2027

NYC UnifiedsJan 23–24, 2027

New York City AuditionFeb 27, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Video Audition SubmissionMar 12, 2027

Auditions.Dot · www2.cortland.edu

Audition Requirements

Songs

Requirements

Two Contrasting songs, 30-45 sec each

One up-tempo and one ballad

One written before 1960, one written after 1960

Songs must be from the musical theatre repertoire

No pop, rock, rap, or country

Must sing to musical accompaniment — no a cappella

Preparation

Bring marked sheet music in the correct key in a binder

Accompanist provided at audition

Monologues

Requirements

One Contemporary monologue, 1 min max

Must be from a published play written within the last 20 years

No monologues from musicals, films, or screenplays

No dialects

Dance

Dance Call

A short combination will be taught during the audition

Bring dance footwear (jazz or character shoes)

Wear fitted clothing that shows body lines

Time is given to change before the dance portion

Additional Materials

Headshot (Required)

Bring a headshot to the audition

Audition Forms (Required)

Bring two completed audition forms

Auditions.Dot · www2.cortland.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to SUNY Cortland via Common App or SUNY Online Application

Audition for the Performing Arts Department is separate from university admission

Email PerformingArtsDepartment@cortland.edu with your name, email, and phone number to reserve an audition time

Transfer Pathway

SUNY Cortland's Musical Theatre transfer-planning page recommends transferring by the fall of sophomore year because the curriculum is sequential; transfer admission to the program still requires an audition.

Muth · www2.cortland.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

You will receive an email requesting confirmation of your audition appointment as the date approaches

Unconfirmed slots may be released to students on the waitlist

Audition Expectations

Three parts: singing, monologue, and dance call

In-person auditions are strongly encouraged when possible

Post-audition activities include facility tours and Q&A with faculty and students

Available for students living 200+ miles from an audition location

Video submissions due by March 12, 2027 for Fall 2027 admission

Requirements are the same as live auditions

For dance, submit a clip demonstrating movement ability from a recent performance

Submit videos via email to PerformingArtsDepartment@cortland.edu

Contact

PerformingArtsDepartment@cortland.edu

Performing Arts Department: 607-753-2811

Dowd Fine Arts Center, Room 216

Scholarship Info

Department Scholarships

Charles T. Griffes Scholarship — $2,000 award given each spring to a qualified musical theatre major

Spiegle Willcox Scholarship — $500 award given annually to a student in the Musical Theatre Program

Music Performance Endowed Scholarship — awarded to a freshman musical theatre student who demonstrates excellence and commitment in music studies

Adams-Hill Scholarship — $300-$500 award for an outstanding graduating senior with major production contributions and at least a 3.0 GPA

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.48

Admit rate

60%

school-wide

Grad rate

68%

Enrollment

5.9K

Earnings

$60K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$8,880

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$18,990

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$29,530

Before aid

Average net price

$22,345

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · www2.cortland.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

One of only three SUNY institutions offering a BFA in Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre is the only major in the Performing Arts Department — all productions and resources are dedicated to MT students

Housed in the renovated Dowd Fine Arts Center ($22 million renovation in 2014)

Training

Seven semesters of ballet training

Private voice instruction with a dedicated teacher

Comprehensive curriculum in acting, spoken voice, theatre history, jazz dance, tap dance, and theatre dance

124-credit intensive studio program

Small class sizes foster meaningful mentorship and a tight-knit artistic community

Professional Development

Industry showcase in New York City for seniors and alumni

Full year of performance opportunities including mainstage musicals, classic and contemporary plays, student-directed projects, and cabaret-style showcases

Approximately 20 faculty and staff members across acting, ballet, piano, voice, and technical theatre

Facilities

400-seat mainstage theater, intimate recital hall, flexible black-box space, dedicated dance studio, and ample rehearsal and practice rooms

Updated Aug 16, 11:45 PM

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