Public school34.2K

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

Test-OptionalGreek LifeLGBTQ+

Start free

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-Selective25-40 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-Selective25-40 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-Selective25-40 Students

Program Recognition

One of the most prestigious musical theatre programs in the nation — known as the "Michigan Mafia" on Broadway

Part of renowned SMTD with ~1,150 total students and ~150 faculty

Training

124 credits minimum (75% SMTD, 25% liberal arts)

Training: acting, dance (ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, MT styles), theatre history, technical theatre

4-5 mainstage productions annually

Notable Alumni

Gavin Creel — Tony winner (Hello, Dolly!)

Ashley Park (BFA '13) — Broadway (The King and I, Mean Girls), star of Emily in Paris

Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (BFA '06) — EGOT-winning songwriters (Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman, La La Land)

Celia Keenan-Bolger (BFA '00) — Tony winner (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Professional Development

Senior Showcase in Ann Arbor and NYC for agents and casting directors

~84 students total in program

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 25 students

Class of 2029: 24 students

Class of 2028: 24 students

Class of 2026: 23 students

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.90

Admit rate

16%

school-wide

Grad rate

93%

Enrollment

34.2K

Earnings

$84K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$18,346

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$63,962

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$38,548

Before aid

Average net price

$13,138

After aid

Estimating Costs · finaid.umich.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 8h ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

One of the most prestigious musical theatre programs in the nation — known as the "Michigan Mafia" on Broadway

Part of renowned SMTD with ~1,150 total students and ~150 faculty

Training

124 credits minimum (75% SMTD, 25% liberal arts)

Training: acting, dance (ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, MT styles), theatre history, technical theatre

4-5 mainstage productions annually

Notable Alumni

Gavin Creel — Tony winner (Hello, Dolly!)

Ashley Park (BFA '13) — Broadway (The King and I, Mean Girls), star of Emily in Paris

Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (BFA '06) — EGOT-winning songwriters (Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman, La La Land)

Celia Keenan-Bolger (BFA '00) — Tony winner (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Professional Development

Senior Showcase in Ann Arbor and NYC for agents and casting directors

~84 students total in program

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 25 students

Class of 2029: 24 students

Class of 2028: 24 students

Class of 2026: 23 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

One of the most prestigious musical theatre programs in the nation — known as the "Michigan Mafia" on Broadway

Part of renowned SMTD with ~1,150 total students and ~150 faculty

Training

124 credits minimum (75% SMTD, 25% liberal arts)

Training: acting, dance (ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, MT styles), theatre history, technical theatre

4-5 mainstage productions annually

Notable Alumni

Gavin Creel — Tony winner (Hello, Dolly!)

Ashley Park (BFA '13) — Broadway (The King and I, Mean Girls), star of Emily in Paris

Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (BFA '06) — EGOT-winning songwriters (Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman, La La Land)

Celia Keenan-Bolger (BFA '00) — Tony winner (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Professional Development

Senior Showcase in Ann Arbor and NYC for agents and casting directors

~84 students total in program

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 25 students

Class of 2029: 24 students

Class of 2028: 24 students

Class of 2026: 23 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Fee

$75

Deadline

Common App Early Option Deadline (Regular Decision; not Early Action or Early Decision)Oct 15, 2026

Common App Final Deadline for SMTD Applicants (Regular Decision)Dec 1, 2026

Requirements For Pre Screening Portfolios Auditions Interviews · smtd.umich.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The prescreen may be submitted before the university application.

Apply

School Website

Fee

Artistic Profile Fee

$45

Deadline

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Early Option DeadlineOct 15, 2026

Fall 2027 SMTD Application and Artistic Profile DeadlineDec 1, 2026

Auditions

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Ann Arbor

Audition

Jan 15, 22 & 29, 2027Feb 5 & 12, 2027

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Chicago

Audition - Sunday/Monday OptionJan 31 – Feb 1, 2027

Audition - Sunday/Tuesday Option

Jan 31, 2027Feb 2, 2027

Audition - Sunday/Wednesday Option

Jan 31, 2027Feb 3, 2027

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Ann Arbor Online

AuditionFeb 19, 2027

Requirements For Pre Screening Portfolios Auditions Interviews · smtd.umich.edu Official page · admissions.smtd.umich.edu Undergraduate Audition Dates · smtd.umich.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

Requirements

Two Musical Theatre songs, max 90 sec each

One pre-1970, one post-1970

Contrasting styles: fast/slow, dramatic/comedic, head voice/belt

Accompaniment

Songs must be sung to music — live accompaniment, piano track, or karaoke track

Material Selection

Choose songs that communicate a specific situation with a clear objective

Make your situation as honest and specific as possible

Select material appropriate for your age and experience

Choose songs that fit comfortably within your range

Transposing is welcome as needed

Focus on musicality and storytelling — no need for loudest or highest note

Performance

No chair or props in your vocal audition

Monologues

Requirements

Two Contrasting Contemporary monologues, max 90 sec each

Post-1800s from professional writer

Sources include published plays, books of monologues, movies, spoken word

Memorized

Material Selection

Choose material appropriate for your age and experience

Contemporary works in a realistic style work best

Avoid material with inappropriate language or situations

Avoid dialects

Dance

Requirements

Movement/dance video (30-60 sec)

Full body must be in view at all times

Options

A clip from a musical/dance performance you participated in, OR

Original choreography in any style (ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, MT), OR

Demonstrate: pliés, tendus, grand battements, pirouettes (side view)

Optional

Ballet technique video (upload as separate file)

Note

Video should reflect whether you are a "singer/actor who moves" or a "competitive dancer who sings"

Wildcard / Special SkillOptional

Optional 60-90 second video to share something about yourself not shown through other application materials

No rules beyond the time limit — have fun with it!

Additional Materials

Resume

Upload PDF including training and experience in music, theatre, and dance

Include academic honors, work experience, and community service

Photograph

Upload a recent photo — professional headshot, graduation portrait, or smartphone photo accepted

Personal Statement (Choose One)

Upload one of your supplementary U-M essays from Common App, OR

Write a 200-500 word essay from the provided prompts

Slate Video

Record one introduction video stating your name and, if you wish, your pronouns

Video Response (60-90 Sec)

Choose one of the following prompts:

1. Discuss a musical theatre character you find difficult to relate to and how you would approach it with truthfulness and empathy

2. Tell us about three musical theatre songs for the soundtrack of your life so far and the significance of each

3. Tell us about performance feedback that was difficult to hear, how you responded, and how it changed you

Requirements For Pre Screening Portfolios Auditions Interviews · smtd.umich.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Songs

Requirements

Two Musical Theatre songs, 90 sec each

Same guidelines as prescreen — one pre-1970, one post-1970, contrasting styles

You may perform the same songs as prescreen or choose new ones

Have 2-3 additional performance-ready musical theatre or pop/rock songs available

You will sing both cuts in the order you choose

Accompaniment

Faculty accompanist provided for in-person auditions

Sheet Music Preparation

Music should be in a binder with minimal page turns

Write song title at top of first page

Clearly mark introduction and any internal cuts

Do not use page protectors (causes glare)

Monologues

Requirements

One Monologue

Same guidelines as prescreen

You may perform one of your prescreen monologues or choose a new one

Dance

In-Person

Group dance call with 20-40 applicants, approximately 1 hour

Includes warmup, ballet portion, and jazz/MT combination

Faculty and students provide detailed instruction

No prior dance experience necessary

Online

Instructional video with short ballet and jazz/MT combination sent by mid-January

Film and submit by provided due date

No prior dance experience necessary

Attire

Wear shoes you can dance in and clothes you can move in

Additional Materials

Bring two (2) copies of a headshot for in-person auditions

Bring two (2) copies of an artistic resume for in-person auditions

Requirements For Pre Screening Portfolios Auditions Interviews · smtd.umich.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply via Common App + SMTD Artistic Profile

Submit all prescreen materials via Artistic Profile (not Acceptd or other platforms)

Submit Common App and Artistic Profile by October 15 for prescreen/academic results by November 15

This is not Early Action — do not mark "Early Action" on Common App unless applying for dual degree with non-SMTD unit

For the Musical Theatre early prescreen option, select Regular Decision on the Common App. The School of Music, Theatre & Dance does not offer Early Action or Early Decision.

Enrollment

Admits 22-24 students per year from approximately 1,500 applicants

Important Notes

SMTD does not participate in Early Action/Early Decision

Later submissions through December 1 receive decisions by end of December

What's The Process

Audition Process

Early Option: submit Common App + SMTD Artistic Profile by October 15 for prescreen/academic results by November 15

Later submissions through December 1 receive decisions by end of December

Select Regular Decision on the Common App — do not mark Early Action. The Early Option is not Early Action; marking Early Action makes U-M assume you are applying for a dual degree with a non-SMTD unit and does not speed up the SMTD process

Supporting materials (transcripts, test scores, recommendations) may arrive after October 15, but review cannot begin until the application is complete

All materials submitted via SMTD Artistic Profile — not Acceptd or other platforms

Audition Expectations

In-person auditions in Ann Arbor and Chicago

Virtual/Zoom auditions available upon request — equal consideration given

On-campus audition days include faculty/student meetings and interactive workshop

Contact smtd.auditions@umich.edu to schedule online audition

AUDITION LOCATIONS (migrated from legacy structured-date data 2026-09-16; see tasks/lessons.md)

Fall 2026 Musical Theatre Ann Arbor Audition — Ann Arbor, MI

Fall 2026 Musical Theatre Chicago Audition — Chicago, IL

Fall 2026 Musical Theatre Ann Arbor Online Audition — Online

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Ann Arbor Audition — Ann Arbor, MI

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Chicago Audition - Sunday/Monday Option — Chicago, IL

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Chicago Audition - Sunday/Tuesday Option — Chicago, IL

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Chicago Audition - Sunday/Wednesday Option — Chicago, IL

Fall 2027 Musical Theatre Ann Arbor Online Audition — Online

Scholarship Info

Scholarship Support

All auditionees/applicants considered for SMTD merit-based scholarships

Scholarship decisions sent by early April

Financial need-based aid also available — explore grants, Work-Study, and loans

December 1 deadline required for merit-based award consideration

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.90

Admit rate

16%

school-wide

Grad rate

93%

Enrollment

34.2K

Earnings

$84K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$18,346

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$63,962

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$38,548

Before aid

Average net price

$13,138

After aid

Estimating Costs · finaid.umich.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

One of the most prestigious musical theatre programs in the nation — known as the "Michigan Mafia" on Broadway

Part of renowned SMTD with ~1,150 total students and ~150 faculty

Training

124 credits minimum (75% SMTD, 25% liberal arts)

Training: acting, dance (ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, MT styles), theatre history, technical theatre

4-5 mainstage productions annually

Notable Alumni

Gavin Creel — Tony winner (Hello, Dolly!)

Ashley Park (BFA '13) — Broadway (The King and I, Mean Girls), star of Emily in Paris

Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (BFA '06) — EGOT-winning songwriters (Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman, La La Land)

Celia Keenan-Bolger (BFA '00) — Tony winner (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Professional Development

Senior Showcase in Ann Arbor and NYC for agents and casting directors

~84 students total in program

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 25 students

Class of 2029: 24 students

Class of 2028: 24 students

Class of 2026: 23 students

Updated 8h ago