So Your Kid Wants to Major in Musical Theatre: Here’s where to start!
A resource for students and the families supporting them through every step of the process.
If you are a student or parent looking at embarking on the college musical theatre audition and application process, you likely have a LOT of questions. Even if you have navigated the college application process before, the college MT audition and application process is a beast in and of itself.
There are prescreen videos, extra essays, supplements, song selections, monologues, earlier deadlines, contradictory requirements, faculty expectations, live auditions, and many decisions that can be unfamiliar in a very high-stakes situation.
The good news?
This process can be FAR less intimidating when you have a better understanding of what schools are looking for and how to prepare strategically!
So here’s a start of what you actually need to know when you first look ahead at the college musical theatre audition process!
How is this different from regular college applications?
For most college musical theatre programs, you will not just be applying to the university; you will also be auditioning for your specific program. That means that along with the standard application process including transcripts, letters of recommendation, college essay, and test scores (if applicable), you will also be going through a very detailed audition process in which you will present songs, monologues, dance, and more. For some schools, you will be able to apply to the program and then schedule your audition upon submission of an application. Other programs require a prescreen to be submitted first.
What is a prescreen video?
A prescreen is a collection of videos and supplemental materials submitted for initial evaluation before an invitation to audition for the program. Many programs use prescreen videos, but some do not, allowing students to schedule their auditions immediately after submitting their applications. Think of the prescreen as your initial audition, the way to get your foot in the door. And the audition as the callback. Remember: Students may pass a prescreen for one program but not for another. Schools are looking to build a class of students that are the right fit for their environment and program for that upcoming year – and that is not a reflection on your talent or your worth!
What do programs actually want to see?
When it comes to what the programs actually want to see, I wish I could share the secret ingredient, but there is no single right answer. There are, however, best practices. What I have seen and heard year after year always revolves around this: Of course, faculty want to see you showcase your skill set and what you do best at this moment. But that is not about PERFECTION; it is about POTENTIAL. And most importantly, faculty want to see who YOU are, what YOU bring to the table, and what YOU love.
It can be really easy to fall into the trap of what you “think” faculty wants to hear. And then trying to change it up for each audition because you heard that one school wants only belters, and that another program needs your monologue to be super heavy and emotional. If you approach auditions that way, you will never find your rhythm or truly show off your unique qualities. You will also then be in your head every time you record or step into the audition room. Your job is to:
Follow directions – make sure you know what each program specifically needs
Do your research - know about each school that you are applying to and auditioning for. When you go into a live audition – have the reasons why you are interested in that particular program. Be specific and dig deep so your questions and observations are meaningful to YOU!
Prepare - Don’t wait till the last minute to select and work on your audition material. By preparing as much as you can, you will then be able to film and audition with confidence.
Be Present - All of this leads to the moment in the audition room. And if you aren’t present in the moment, not only will the faculty not be able to get a sense of who you are, but you will also lose the opportunity to showcase your full self. Faculty want to see real people (and you want to see the faculty as real people, as well) because, remember, you are auditioning them, too!
How competitive are BFA musical theatre programs — really?
Musical theatre programs are notoriously selective — some accept a class of fewer than 20 students out of thousands of applicants. Some even take fewer than 10. (Seriously) At those numbers, certain programs have a lower acceptance rate than Ivy League schools. That's worth sitting with — BUT it's also not the whole picture.
There are approximately 150 schools across the country that offer a BFA in musical theatre. When you factor in additional degree types, more than 300 schools offer musical theatre programs. The numbers game is real, and we believe in naming it honestly — and then shifting the focus to what you can actually control: preparation and strategy. There is a place for everyone in this process. The work is finding the places that are the right fit for YOU.
How many schools should my student apply to?
We highly recommend that students applying to BFA musical theatre programs have a varied list of at least 12-15 schools. But what does that really mean?
We categorize schools as Ultra Selective (Extreme Reach), Reach (Highly Selective), Target (Selective), and Safety. Now it’s important to note that a true safety school is a non-audition-based program at a university that is also not highly selective academically.
When building a list of schools, we encourage students to have an equal balance of schools within each category on their list. And it’s also important to remember that these categories are based on the average number of applicants versus the number of students accepted. There are fabulous programs that may be newer or less selective but still offer strong faculty, great opportunities, and excellent training.
How do we build a balanced schools list?
Start with two questions: What type of program are you looking for — conservatory-style training focused on musical theatre (a BFA/BM), or a more liberal arts-style education where musical theatre is your focus but you have room to explore (a BA)? And are there any non-negotiables — distance from home, study abroad, the ability to double major or minor?
From there, build big and cut later. Start with every school you know and are familiar with, then begin researching from there. Key things to look at: the school's location, size, and campus culture; student experience; faculty backgrounds and industry connections; alumni outcomes; performance opportunities); curriculum; and cost. We'll be doing a full deep dive into how to research and evaluate programs in an upcoming post — so stay tuned.
For now, the most important thing to hold onto is this: the goal isn't a specific school or a "top 10" list. The goal is finding a great program with strong training where you will genuinely thrive. There are outstanding programs at every level of selectivity, and the right fit for you is out there. Keep that as your north star throughout this entire process.
When should we start — and are we already behind?
If you're a rising senior reading this right now, don't fall into a total stress spiral — but do dive in ASAP. June is for narrowing your list of schools and finalizing your repertoire. July and August are for rehearsing and coaching that material so you're ready to film in September. Start your college essays and supplemental materials now too. Take it one step at a time, get your applications and prescreens in by the end of September, and you'll move into the rest of the process feeling confident and prepared — and actually get to enjoy the fall of your senior year.
If you're a rising Junior (or even a Sophomore or Freshman), you are in a great place. The summer before Junior year is a wonderful time to start researching — familiarize yourself with the different types of programs available and explore a variety of schools. Listen to cast albums and musical theatre playlists, check out plays from your local library, and start getting familiar with different material. Most importantly, focus on your training. Growing your skills now will not only make you a stronger performer, but build the confidence so that when it's time to dive into the college prep process and all of its logistics, you'll feel ready to go.
What are Unifieds — and do we have to go?
National Unified Auditions bring many programs together in one place — NYC, Chicago, and LA — so you can audition for multiple schools in a single weekend. You'll meet TONS of other students, and some programs even offer walk-in auditions for schools that weren't originally on your radar. (You'll still need to apply to the program, but that happens after your audition.)
Unifieds aren't required, but they can save you significant time and money — auditioning for many schools in one place instead of traveling to each one separately.
How much does this whole process cost — and why?
We can't sugarcoat this one — the college MT audition process can be expensive. That said, there are many ways to be strategic, and knowing the real numbers ahead of time helps keep you from being blindsided later.
Coaching: Sessions typically run $80–250/hour depending on the coach or package. Some coaches focus purely on repertoire; others also help with your schools list, essays, resumes, and supplemental materials. No coach? YOU CAN DO THIS. Lean on a trusted voice teacher, theater teacher, or an alum who's been through it. Having a support system is what matters — it doesn't have to come with a price tag.
Filming: Self-tapes can range from $25 at home to $200+ for a professional studio. Our POV: you can ABSOLUTELY get a fabulous self-tape at home. All you need is a clean backdrop, good front-facing light, and clear sound from an external speaker. Your phone works MAGIC — professionals use theirs for self-tapes that book jobs from Broadway to TV and beyond every day.
Applications: Fees typically run $45–85 per school, though some schools charge nothing and many offer waivers. You can also apply for a Common App fee waiver, which, if approved, covers the application fee for every application you submit through the platform.
Prescreen & Audition Fees: Separate from the application fee, these usually run $20–80 per school — and are often waivable. Acceptd, the platform many programs use for prescreen submissions, offers up to 5 fee waivers per applicant per cycle.
Travel: This is where costs can really climb. Some students attend 10 to 20 live auditions (or more 😱) — add up flights, gas, and hotels and it adds up fast. Unifieds help enormously here. Virtual auditions are also a great option, and there is no disadvantage to choosing one — faculty genuinely understand that this process is neither logistically nor financially easy.
Attire: You'll need an outfit for your singing/acting audition and separate dance attire — but don't feel like you need to invest in a completely new wardrobe! Something you already love to wear that makes you feel confident and put together is a GREAT option. For your singing and acting audition, wear something that feels like YOU. For dance, choose something form-fitting enough to show your movement and lines — you do not need a leotard, tights, or expensive character shoes. A jazz shoe or sneaker is completely appropriate.
The cost of the school itself: Look at the realities of the program's cost. But don't cross a dream school off your list because of the sticker price. Go in with eyes open about what happens if a large scholarship doesn't come through. It is not worth significant debt when there are so many places to receive excellent training.
Yes, the costs add up — but so do the resources. Tools like Stageready help you research schools and track deadlines and materials. The Fund for College Auditions offers scholarships to support students through the process. Save campus visits for after acceptance. And always ask schools about fee waivers — for both applications and auditions.
Is this process actually doable?
Yes. We know that’s a BIG claim after laying out the realities of precreens, fees, making a balanced schools list, and the number of applicants. But every year, students just like you make it through this exact process and find themselves at a program that’s the right fit for them.
So, here’s where to actually start! This week, pick a few schools from your big list to research. Have a conversation with your family about your non-negotiables. Think about YOUR goals. Reach out to a teacher, alum, or coach who can be a part of your team. You don’t have to have all the answers today – just take the next step!
And if you're ready for expert mentorship and support as you prepare, we'd love to be your guides. Aspire is our all-inclusive college audition prep program — live coaching sessions, personalized repertoire selection, school list support, and one-on-one guidance from the moment you sign up all the way through acceptances and beyond. No more navigating this alone. 🧡
📢 Learn more about Aspire and book a free consultation today.
We'll be back this summer with more FAQs covering repertoire, filming prescreens, live auditions, building your schools list, and more. Until then — get organized, take it one step at a time, and don't forget: you've got this.