Program
Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewIn-Person or VirtualUniversity App Required
Program Characteristics
Prescreen Required
Audition Required
No Interview
University App Required
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 & PRODUCTIONS
•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
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atSchool Website
Deadlines
Early ActionDec 15, 2025
RollingJun 1, 2026
Fee
$40Waiver
Program AppApplication
Apply atAcceptd
Auditions
Virtual AuditionNov 15, 2025
Virtual AuditionJan 17, 2026
On-Campus AuditionJan 31, 2026
Chicago Unified AuditionsFeb 2–3, 2026
Prescreen Requirements
Songs
•Upload a 30-second song cut from music theatre repertoire as prescreen via Acceptd
Monologues
ONE CONTEMPORARY MONOLOGUE, 1 min
•From a play written within the last fifty years
•Material within your age range and life experience
•Avoid Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and Neil Simon
•Look for contemporary playwrights — novels and unpublished plays often have good monologues
•No costumes, dialects, or props
Dance
•One-minute dance reel (if auditioning virtually) or live dance call (if in-person)
Additional Materials
•Current digital photo
•Acting resume
•Two reference email addresses (teachers or directors who know your work)
•Current GPA (SAT/ACT scores optional)
Callback Requirements
Songs
TWO CONTRASTING SONGS, 1 min each
•From the music theatre repertoire
•Should contrast in vocal quality (classical, belt, pop/rock) to show versatility
•Slate with your name and pieces in the order they will be presented
Monologues
•One contemporary monologue, approximately one minute
Dance
•Live dance call (in-person) or one-minute dance reel (virtual)
Good to Know
APPLICATION PROCESS
•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
MULTIPLE PROGRAMS
•You must apply separately for each program you are interested in
•Application fee is only required for the first program — use coupon code 02wmu25 for subsequent applications
•Contact theatre-info@wmich.edu if the Acceptd fee presents a financial hardship
IMPORTANT
•Apply to the university before December 15 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
PRESCREEN
•Upload a 30-second song cut from music theatre repertoire to Acceptd
•If approved, you will be scheduled for a full audition
AUDITION FORMAT
•In-person or virtual — the department encourages in-person if possible
•Rolling admission — offers begin after the first audition event
IN-PERSON AUDITION
•Slate your name and pieces in performance order
•Two contrasting songs (1 min each) from music theatre repertoire
•One contemporary monologue (1 min)
•Live dance call
VIRTUAL AUDITION
•Upload two one-minute song cuts, one-minute monologue, and dance reel via Acceptd
•Or perform live via Zoom
•Video submissions are due 5 days prior to the scheduled audition date
•Virtual callbacks include material work, student Q&A, and virtual tour
IMPORTANT
•There is only one audition for entrance into the program
•A second audition is possible only by invitation from the Director of Music Theatre Performance
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
Program info updated Mar 27, 2:33 AM
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 & PRODUCTIONS
•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
Updated Mar 27, 2:33 AM
Academic School Information
3.53
Avg GPA (W)
85%
Admit Rate
58%
Grad Rate
12,568
Enrollment
$53,562
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$15,252
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,034
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$15,273
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Family Income $0 - $30k$5,263
Family Income $30k - $48k$5,734
Family Income $48k - $75k$13,833
Family Income $75k - $110k$18,307
Family Income $110k+$23,625
