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Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

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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 StudentsStudy Abroad

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 StudentsStudy Abroad

Browse programs

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theater

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Acting

General

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Acting

Actor-Singer Track

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theater

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Theater Design and Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Under 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Stage Management

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BS Drama

Theater Management

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Under 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program Recognition

•Named one of Playbill's 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway

•Partnership with Syracuse Stage, a professional LORT theater founded in 1974

•Baker Merit Scholarships: $3,000/year renewable awards based on audition performance

Training

•Triple-threat curriculum: singing from operetta to rock, four levels of ballet/jazz plus tap, modern and theater dance, and acting

•First year: ~18 hours/week of foundational studio classes

•Students audition for department productions, Syracuse Stage co-productions, and student films

Notable Alumni

•Jessie Mueller '05 - Tony Award winner for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

•Taye Diggs '93 - originated Benny in Rent, starred in Broadway's Hedwig and the Angry Inch

•Patti Murin '02 - original Princess Anna in Frozen on Broadway

•Vanessa Williams - Broadway's Kiss of the Spider Woman, Into the Woods revival, and Ugly Betty

Professional Development

•Lewis Hecker Drama Showcase for graduating seniors before industry professionals

•Tepper Semester in NYC and VPA LA Semester study-away options

Study Abroad

•London semester at Shakespeare's Globe, fall of third year

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2030: 35 students

•Class of 2029: 32 students

•Class of 2028: 25 students

•Class of 2027: 24 students

School Info

Snapshot

3.80

Avg GPA (W)

46%

Admit Rate

school-wide

84%

Grad Rate

15.5K

Enrollment

$79K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$71,049

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$95,676

Before aid

Average Net Price

$38,793

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated Jul 7, 2:18 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Named one of Playbill's 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway

•Partnership with Syracuse Stage, a professional LORT theater founded in 1974

•Baker Merit Scholarships: $3,000/year renewable awards based on audition performance

Training

•Triple-threat curriculum: singing from operetta to rock, four levels of ballet/jazz plus tap, modern and theater dance, and acting

•First year: ~18 hours/week of foundational studio classes

•Students audition for department productions, Syracuse Stage co-productions, and student films

Notable Alumni

•Jessie Mueller '05 - Tony Award winner for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

•Taye Diggs '93 - originated Benny in Rent, starred in Broadway's Hedwig and the Angry Inch

•Patti Murin '02 - original Princess Anna in Frozen on Broadway

•Vanessa Williams - Broadway's Kiss of the Spider Woman, Into the Woods revival, and Ugly Betty

Professional Development

•Lewis Hecker Drama Showcase for graduating seniors before industry professionals

•Tepper Semester in NYC and VPA LA Semester study-away options

Study Abroad

•London semester at Shakespeare's Globe, fall of third year

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2030: 35 students

•Class of 2029: 32 students

•Class of 2028: 25 students

•Class of 2027: 24 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Named one of Playbill's 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway

•Partnership with Syracuse Stage, a professional LORT theater founded in 1974

•Baker Merit Scholarships: $3,000/year renewable awards based on audition performance

Training

•Triple-threat curriculum: singing from operetta to rock, four levels of ballet/jazz plus tap, modern and theater dance, and acting

•First year: ~18 hours/week of foundational studio classes

•Students audition for department productions, Syracuse Stage co-productions, and student films

Notable Alumni

•Jessie Mueller '05 - Tony Award winner for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

•Taye Diggs '93 - originated Benny in Rent, starred in Broadway's Hedwig and the Angry Inch

•Patti Murin '02 - original Princess Anna in Frozen on Broadway

•Vanessa Williams - Broadway's Kiss of the Spider Woman, Into the Woods revival, and Ugly Betty

Professional Development

•Lewis Hecker Drama Showcase for graduating seniors before industry professionals

•Tepper Semester in NYC and VPA LA Semester study-away options

Study Abroad

•London semester at Shakespeare's Globe, fall of third year

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2030: 35 students

•Class of 2029: 32 students

•Class of 2028: 25 students

•Class of 2027: 24 students

Expert Tips

Submit your academic application at least 5 days before the prescreen due date. It takes an average of 4 days to receive a link to the Syracuse portal where you can upload your prescreens.

Syracuse is a sucker for a great contemporary piece and they love energy!

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App Coalition App

Fee

$85

Deadline

Early DecisionNov 15, 2026

Early Decision IIRegular DecisionJan 5, 2027

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

Prescreen Audition Fee

$50

Prescreen Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Songs

MTCP Song Option B

•One musical theater song from any time period

•One contrasting song of your choice (any style)

•60-90 seconds each

Monologues

MTCP Monologue Option A

•One monologue from a published play or professional writer

•60-90 seconds

Dance

MTCP Dance Option A

•Dance/movement video required

•Must include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick

•Or suitable rotation, elevation, and extension

•60-90 seconds

Ballet

MTCP Ballet Option B

•Ballet video optional

Wildcard / Special Skill (Optional)

Wildcard

•Optional

•Show your personality or share something about you

Ideas

•Special skill

•Interesting story about yourself

•Instrument you play

•Original composition or poem

•Pop song

•SNL-style comedic character skit

•Hobby or activity meaningful to you

•Performance in a language you are fluent in

•How-to video on something you excel at

•Different style of dance, such as tap, hip hop, lyrical, or ballet

Additional Materials

Slate Video

•State your name and pronouns if desired

•Speak clearly and directly to the camera

•No need to slate individual performance videos

Resume

•Current resume listing productions with dates and locations

Statement

•Brief statement describing why you are choosing a career in musical theater

Headshot

•Photograph of yourself alone; professional headshot not required

Official Source

Callback Requirements

Songs

Requirements

•Callback — Two Contrasting SONGS, 60-90 sec each

•Both from musical theater repertoire (any era)

•One must be a BALLAD

•At least one song should be DIFFERENT from your prescreen selections

•May reuse one prescreen song — try a new approach if you do

In-Person

•Accompanist provided — bring sheet music in a small hard-back 3-ring binder in your key

•You may bring your own accompanist if preferred

•Faculty may hear only one of the two songs

Virtual

•Upload to applicant portal

•Use accompaniment tracks

Monologues

Callback

•Two contrasting monologues, under 90 seconds each

•From modern or contemporary plays (post-2000 preferred)

•Characters close to your own age

•Not from musicals

•You may reuse one prescreen monologue, but try new choices if you do

Note

•Faculty may hear only one of the two monologues prepared

Dance

In-Person

•Group dance call — learn a short combination performed in small groups

•Evaluated on: level of achievement, aptitude for dance study, potential as a triple-threat

Virtual

•Given an online link to a short dance combination to prepare and film

•Film in FULL BODY landscape-oriented shot — entire body in frame at all times

Attire (Both Formats)

•Basic dancewear or rehearsal attire (leotard/tights, T-shirt/jazz pants)

•No bulky or oversized sweatpants/sweatshirts

•Footwear: jazz shoes, character heels, oxfords, foot thong, or bare feet

Additional Materials

Resume

•In-person: bring a current resume to the audition

•Virtual: upload a current resume to the applicant portal

Headshot

•In-person: bring a photo of yourself alone to the audition; it does not need to be a professional headshot

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Early Decision is not available for Acting or Musical Theater

•December 1 deadline: university application and prescreen audition materials due

•Submit through the Syracuse University applicant portal after completing the university application

•Program participates in the Musical Theater Common Prescreen (MTCP)

•YouTube videos viewed through the portal will not register views on your YouTube account

Admission Pathway

•After passing prescreen, choose an in-person Drama Audition Day or a virtual audition

•No advantage to in-person versus virtual; both are considered equally

•Strong singer/actors who are not dancers may be considered for the Actor-Singer Track within BFA Acting

•To be considered, apply to Musical Theater as first choice and Acting as second choice and submit all materials for both programs

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•In-person: Song(s), monologue(s), group dance call

•Virtual: Upload materials to portal + Zoom interview/info session with faculty and current students

•"Prior dance training, while desirable, is not always required. Enthusiasm and obvious potential may substitute for prior training."

•Choose material you are comfortable with

•Choose character close to your age and experience

•"We are not looking for students with extensive performance background. We are looking for students with dedication and talent who are open to direction and training."

•Do not audition if ill—they will reschedule

Scholarship Info

Baker Merit Scholarships

•$3,000/year renewable awards based on audition performance

•Awarded by faculty based on audition and overall application

School Info

Snapshot

3.80

Avg GPA (W)

46%

Admit Rate

school-wide

84%

Grad Rate

15.5K

Enrollment

$79K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$71,049

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$95,676

Before aid

Average Net Price

$38,793

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Named one of Playbill's 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway

•Partnership with Syracuse Stage, a professional LORT theater founded in 1974

•Baker Merit Scholarships: $3,000/year renewable awards based on audition performance

Training

•Triple-threat curriculum: singing from operetta to rock, four levels of ballet/jazz plus tap, modern and theater dance, and acting

•First year: ~18 hours/week of foundational studio classes

•Students audition for department productions, Syracuse Stage co-productions, and student films

Notable Alumni

•Jessie Mueller '05 - Tony Award winner for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

•Taye Diggs '93 - originated Benny in Rent, starred in Broadway's Hedwig and the Angry Inch

•Patti Murin '02 - original Princess Anna in Frozen on Broadway

•Vanessa Williams - Broadway's Kiss of the Spider Woman, Into the Woods revival, and Ugly Betty

Professional Development

•Lewis Hecker Drama Showcase for graduating seniors before industry professionals

•Tepper Semester in NYC and VPA LA Semester study-away options

Study Abroad

•London semester at Shakespeare's Globe, fall of third year

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2030: 35 students

•Class of 2029: 32 students

•Class of 2028: 25 students

•Class of 2027: 24 students

Updated Jul 7, 2:18 AM