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Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

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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

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

Avg GPA (W)

3.80

Admit rate

46%

school-wide

Grad rate

84%

Enrollment

15.5K

Earnings

$79K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$71,049

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$95,676

Before aid

Average net price

$38,793

After aid

Undergraduate Costs · syracuse.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 23, 9:11 PM

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

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App Coalition App

Fee

$85

Deadline

Priority: University Application & Prescreen (Regular Decision only)Nov 1, 2026

Final: University Application & Prescreen (EA/ED not offered)Dec 1, 2026

Dates Deadlines · syracuse.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Apply

School Website

Fee

Prescreen Audition Fee

$50

Deadline

Priority Application & PrescreenNov 1, 2026

Final Application & PrescreenDec 1, 2026

Auditions

In-Person Audition Days — Date TBATBA

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Virtual Callback Materials DueJan 5, 2027

Drama · vpa.syracuse.edu Visit · vpa.syracuse.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

MTCP Song Option B

Song Package

Two songs, 60-90 seconds each

One musical theater song from any time period

One song of your choice in any style that contrasts the first selection

Accompaniment

Accompaniment tracks, YouTube, or apps such as Harmony Helper are acceptable

Monologues

MTCP Monologue Option A

Prescreen

One monologue from a published play or by a professional writer

Age-appropriate, generally within five to 10 years of your age

Not from a musical

Active monologues work better: real-time, direct communication with a scene partner

Avoid pieces relying on extreme emotions

Additional Monologue

If you also applied to Acting, submit a second contemporary monologue; post-2000 preferred

Dance

MTCP Dance Option A

Dance Video

Dance video, 60-90 seconds, showing your best dancing or moving

Include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick, or rotation/elevation/extension suitable for your body

Any discipline you feel confident in is acceptable: jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or other styles

Recent solo video from a show or concert is acceptable

Self-choreographed material is acceptable

MTCP resource videos are available for applicants without a choreographed combination

Ballet

MTCP Ballet Option B

Optional Ballet Video

Brief series of plie, tendu, grand battement, pirouette en dehors on both sides, and grand jete across the floor

Wildcard / Special SkillOptional

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

Drama · vpa.syracuse.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition 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

Drama · vpa.syracuse.edu

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

Avg GPA (W)

3.80

Admit rate

46%

school-wide

Grad rate

84%

Enrollment

15.5K

Earnings

$79K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$71,049

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$95,676

Before aid

Average net price

$38,793

After aid

Undergraduate Costs · syracuse.edu 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 Aug 23, 9:11 PM