Public school34.2K

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

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Program

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

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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

Quick Links

BFA Theatre Performance

Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-Selective12-24 Students

Quick Links

BFA Theatre Performance

Directing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 Students

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

Quick Links

BFA Interarts Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BTA Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

12-24 Students

Quick Links

BFA Theatre Design & Production

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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

Academic info

Snapshot

3.90

Avg GPA

16%

Admit Rate

school-wide

93%

Grad Rate

34.2K

Enrollment

$84K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$13,138

after typical aid

In-State Tuition

$17,736

before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$60,946

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$1,043

$30-48k$1,878

$48-75k$4,895

$75-110k$10,869

$110k+$26,517

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated May 27, 1:16 AM

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

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

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Fee

$75Waiver

Deadline

Early application deadlineEarly ActionEarly DecisionNov 1, 2025

SMTD Application DeadlineDec 1, 2025

Regular DecisionFeb 1, 2026

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

Artistic Profile Fee

$45Waiver

Deadline

Early OptionOct 15, 2025

PrescreenDec 1, 2025

Auditions

Ann Arbor (In Person)Jan 16, 2026

Ann Arbor (In Person)Jan 23, 2026

Ann Arbor (In Person)Jan 30, 2026

Chicago Auditions (In Person)Feb 1, 2026

Chicago Auditions (In Person)Feb 2, 2026

Chicago Auditions (In Person)Feb 3, 2026

Ann Arbor (In Person)Feb 6, 2026

Ann Arbor (In Person)Feb 13, 2026

Ann Arbor (Online/Zoom)Feb 20, 2026

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 Skill (Optional)

•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

Official Source

Callback 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 headshot and artistic resume for in-person auditions

Official Source

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

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 by October 15 for prescreen/academic results by November 15

•Later submissions through December 1 receive decisions by end of December

•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

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

Academic info

Snapshot

3.90

Avg GPA

16%

Admit Rate

school-wide

93%

Grad Rate

34.2K

Enrollment

$84K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$13,138

after typical aid

In-State Tuition

$17,736

before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$60,946

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$1,043

$30-48k$1,878

$48-75k$4,895

$75-110k$10,869

$110k+$26,517

View full data on 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

Updated May 27, 1:16 AM

University of Michigan

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Prescreen Requirements

Callback Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Prescreen Requirements

Callback Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info

University of Michigan

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Prescreen Requirements

Callback Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Prescreen Requirements

Callback Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info