Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
No Interview
University App Required
Program Highlights
PROGRAM DISTINCTION
•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)
FACILITIES
•386-seat mainstage theater, intimate recital hall, flexible black-box space, dedicated dance studio, and ample rehearsal and practice rooms
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
CAREER PREPARATION
•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
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atCommon App
Apply atSchool Website
Deadlines
Early ActionNov 15, 2025
Rolling
Fee
$50Waiver
Program AppApplication
Auditions
On-Campus AuditionOct 4, 2025
Pittsburgh Unifieds (Virtual Only)Oct 10, 2025
MARCAS (New Jersey)Nov 14, 2025
NYC UnifiedsJan 24, 2026
Audition Requirements
Songs
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
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
Good to Know
APPLICATION PROCESS
•Apply to SUNY Cortland via Common App or SUNY Online Application
•Audition for the Performing Arts Department is separate from university admission
AUDITION SCHEDULING
•Email the Performing Arts Department with your name, email, and phone number to reserve an audition time
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•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
VIDEO AUDITION
•Available for students living 200+ miles from an audition location
•Video submissions due by March 13, 2026
•Requirements are the same as live auditions
•For dance, submit a clip demonstrating movement ability from a recent performance
•Submit videos via email to the Performing Arts Department
CONFIRMATION
•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
CONTACT
•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
Program info updated Mar 24, 12:38 AM
PROGRAM DISTINCTION
•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)
FACILITIES
•386-seat mainstage theater, intimate recital hall, flexible black-box space, dedicated dance studio, and ample rehearsal and practice rooms
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
CAREER PREPARATION
•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
Updated Mar 24, 12:38 AM
Academic School Information
3.48
Avg GPA (W)
60%
Admit Rate
68%
Grad Rate
5,901
Enrollment
$60,236
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$8,874
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,784
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$22,345
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$12,550
Family Income $30k - $48k$16,453
Family Income $48k - $75k$20,102
Family Income $75k - $110k$21,636
Family Income $110k+$25,853
