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Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

Browse programs

Theatre

Dance

Quick links

BFA Music Theatre Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

Program Recognition

BFA focused on preparing talent for the Broadway market

Annual New York City showcase for agents and casting directors

Cross-departmental program within the School of Fine Arts (theatre, music, and dance)

Training

Four years of private vocal instruction

Training in jazz, tap, and ballet

Three years of acting training plus musicianship courses

Two-year musical theatre performance workshop series

2-3 musicals produced each year plus straight plays and student-directed productions

Eligible to audition for School of Music operas and Department of Dance concerts

Notable Alumni

Mikey Winslow — Broadway: Hamilton, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, American Idiot, West Side Story

Hannah Elless — Broadway: Godspell, Bright Star, A Christmas Carol

Lauren Zakrin — Broadway: Rock of Ages, Natasha Pierre & The Great Comet; Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (SF)

Brian Martin — Broadway: Mrs. Doubtfire; national tours of Bullets Over Broadway, Beauty and the Beast

Marcus Shane — Broadway: Mamma Mia!; first national tour of Mean Girls

Tiffany Frances — Broadway: Ain't Too Proud

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 17 students

Class of 2029: 17 students

Class of 2028: 16 students

Class of 2027: 16 students

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.53

Admit rate

85%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

12.6K

Earnings

$54K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,589

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,665

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$37,270

Before aid

Average net price

$15,273

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · wmich.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 7, 6:16 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

BFA focused on preparing talent for the Broadway market

Annual New York City showcase for agents and casting directors

Cross-departmental program within the School of Fine Arts (theatre, music, and dance)

Training

Four years of private vocal instruction

Training in jazz, tap, and ballet

Three years of acting training plus musicianship courses

Two-year musical theatre performance workshop series

2-3 musicals produced each year plus straight plays and student-directed productions

Eligible to audition for School of Music operas and Department of Dance concerts

Notable Alumni

Mikey Winslow — Broadway: Hamilton, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, American Idiot, West Side Story

Hannah Elless — Broadway: Godspell, Bright Star, A Christmas Carol

Lauren Zakrin — Broadway: Rock of Ages, Natasha Pierre & The Great Comet; Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (SF)

Brian Martin — Broadway: Mrs. Doubtfire; national tours of Bullets Over Broadway, Beauty and the Beast

Marcus Shane — Broadway: Mamma Mia!; first national tour of Mean Girls

Tiffany Frances — Broadway: Ain't Too Proud

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 17 students

Class of 2029: 17 students

Class of 2028: 16 students

Class of 2027: 16 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

BFA focused on preparing talent for the Broadway market

Annual New York City showcase for agents and casting directors

Cross-departmental program within the School of Fine Arts (theatre, music, and dance)

Training

Four years of private vocal instruction

Training in jazz, tap, and ballet

Three years of acting training plus musicianship courses

Two-year musical theatre performance workshop series

2-3 musicals produced each year plus straight plays and student-directed productions

Eligible to audition for School of Music operas and Department of Dance concerts

Notable Alumni

Mikey Winslow — Broadway: Hamilton, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, American Idiot, West Side Story

Hannah Elless — Broadway: Godspell, Bright Star, A Christmas Carol

Lauren Zakrin — Broadway: Rock of Ages, Natasha Pierre & The Great Comet; Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (SF)

Brian Martin — Broadway: Mrs. Doubtfire; national tours of Bullets Over Broadway, Beauty and the Beast

Marcus Shane — Broadway: Mamma Mia!; first national tour of Mean Girls

Tiffany Frances — Broadway: Ain't Too Proud

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 17 students

Class of 2029: 17 students

Class of 2028: 16 students

Class of 2027: 16 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App· Only option

Fee

$40

Deadline

Early ActionDec 1, 2026

Rolling AdmissionInternational undergraduateJun 1, 2027

Transfer and other undergraduate applicantsAug 15, 2027

Deadlines · wmich.edu International · wmich.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The prescreen may be submitted before the university application.

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

Application deadline (Acceptd)Feb 10, 2027

Auditions

Virtual audition

Nov 14, 2026Jan 16, 2027

On-Campus Audition

Jan 30, 2027Feb 12, 2027

Chicago Unified AuditionsFeb 1–3, 2027

Application portal · Acceptd Theatre · wmich.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

Prescreen Vocal Video

Upload one 30-second vocal audition through Acceptd

May be a cut from any music theatre repertoire

Additional Materials

Application Materials

Current digital photo

Acting Resume

Two reference email addresses (teachers or directors who know your work)

Current GPA

SAT/ACT scores optional

Performance · wmich.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Songs

Two Contrasting Song Cuts, 1 Min Each

From musical theatre repertoire

Must contrast in vocal quality (classical, belt, pop/rock) to show versatility

Slate with your name and pieces in performance order

Monologues

One Contemporary Monologue, 1 Min

Chosen from a play written within the last fifty years

Material Selection

Material should relate to your own age and life experience

Choose material within your age range and understanding

What to Avoid

No costumes, dialects, or props

Dance

Dance Call or Dance Reel

In-person auditions include a live dance call

Live virtual auditions require uploading a dance audition before the audition

Full video auditions require one dance reel of your preference, such as a performance or short dance combination

Performance · wmich.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Step 1: Submit WMU university application at wmich.edu/apply

Step 2: Submit theatre application + 30-second prescreen via Acceptd

Prescreens are due one week before your desired audition date

Video submissions (for video audition option) are due 5 days prior to the scheduled audition date

Admission Pathway

You must apply separately for each program you are interested in

Application fee is only required for the first program — use coupon code 02wmu26 for subsequent applications

Contact theatre-info@wmich.edu if the Acceptd fee presents a financial hardship

Important Notes

Apply to the university before December 1 for maximum scholarship opportunities

Rolling admission — apply and audition early if possible

Also offers a Music Theatre Performance Certificate program

Only one audition per cycle — re-audition only by invitation from the program director

What's The Process

Audition Process

Submit a 30-second vocal prescreen through Acceptd

Prescreens are due one week before your desired audition date

If approved, you will be scheduled for a full audition

Only one audition is offered for entrance; a second audition is by invitation from the Director of Music Theatre Performance only

Parents/guardians are invited to a February Zoom information session with School Director Joan Herrington

Audition Expectations

In-person on-campus, live virtual via Zoom, Chicago Unified, and full video audition options are available

In-person and Chicago auditions include two songs, one monologue, and a live dance call

Live virtual auditions require uploading a dance audition before the audition

Full video auditions require two songs, one monologue, and a dance reel

Scholarship Info

Department awards scholarships in performance, design, technical, stage management, and arts management

Multiple named MT-specific scholarships including Marineau/Mazzie, Hearron/Sommerfeld, Stillwell, and CFA Music Theatre Performance Scholarship

Based on talent, academic achievement, and financial need — 3.0 GPA minimum for many awards

New majors considered via audition; current students compete in March

Apply at wmich.scholarshipuniverse.com

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.53

Admit rate

85%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

12.6K

Earnings

$54K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,589

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,665

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$37,270

Before aid

Average net price

$15,273

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · wmich.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

BFA focused on preparing talent for the Broadway market

Annual New York City showcase for agents and casting directors

Cross-departmental program within the School of Fine Arts (theatre, music, and dance)

Training

Four years of private vocal instruction

Training in jazz, tap, and ballet

Three years of acting training plus musicianship courses

Two-year musical theatre performance workshop series

2-3 musicals produced each year plus straight plays and student-directed productions

Eligible to audition for School of Music operas and Department of Dance concerts

Notable Alumni

Mikey Winslow — Broadway: Hamilton, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, American Idiot, West Side Story

Hannah Elless — Broadway: Godspell, Bright Star, A Christmas Carol

Lauren Zakrin — Broadway: Rock of Ages, Natasha Pierre & The Great Comet; Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (SF)

Brian Martin — Broadway: Mrs. Doubtfire; national tours of Bullets Over Broadway, Beauty and the Beast

Marcus Shane — Broadway: Mamma Mia!; first national tour of Mean Girls

Tiffany Frances — Broadway: Ain't Too Proud

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2030: 17 students

Class of 2029: 17 students

Class of 2028: 16 students

Class of 2027: 16 students

Updated Sep 7, 6:16 PM