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COLLEGIATE MUSICAL THEATRE
AND THEATRE PROGRAMS (BY STATE)
This list begins with colleges that offer undergraduate Musical Theatre, Theatre and related degrees. BFA and BA Acting, as
well as degree programs in Theatre Education are also included. They are organized alphabetically by state. Each University
is hyperlinked to the degrees’ info page. Following the name of the school in parentheses is the type of degree they offer, and
in some cases, the number of students the program offers admission to. We have also provided a list of schools that offer
graduate degrees in musical theatre, information on prescreens and unifieds, and a list of suggested questions to think
about when researching and visiting colleges. This is just a starting point for your own research!
As a courtesy, please do not distribute this document. It took me a combined count of 75 hours of research and
development and I’d like to keep it within the BAA College Coaching Family! I hope you find this labor of love helpful!
~Jennifer Johns-Grasso, BAA’s Artistic Director
KEY:
(+) next to a school indicates that they are especially selective (that they admit only a
small number of applicants and is typically considered a reach or extreme reach school).
(~) next to a school indicates that they are non-audition (that they do not require an audition
to major in musical theatre).
Schools without marks do require an audition.
(*) next to a school indicates that it is one of Jennifer’s “Top 50 MT Schools to Investigate”
(**) next to a school indicates that it is one of Jennifer’s “Top 20 MT Schools to Investigate”
COLLEGES THAT OFFER UNDERGRADUATE MUSICAL THEATRE
AND RELATED DEGREES BY STATE
ALABAMA
● Alabama State University → BFA in Dance, BA in Theater Arts (Emphasis offered in Acting)
● *Auburn University → BFA in Music Theater (audition required for admission), BFA in
Performance (audition in spring of sophomore year), ~BA in Theater
● Birmingham-Southern College → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts
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● Jacksonville State University → BA in Drama: Performance Concentration (also have BA in
Film), BA in Music: Vocal Performance Concentration
● Samford University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Theater for Youth, BA in Theater, BA in
Theater with Acting and Directing Concentration
● Troy University → BFA in Dance, BS/BA in Theater, Theater Education Certification Available
● *University of Alabama → BFA in Theater: Acting Concentration, BFA in Theater: Musical
Theater Concentration, BA in Theater, BA in Dance
● *University of Mobile → BFA in Acting, BM in Musical Theater, BFA in Musical Theater, BA in
Theater with Performance Concentration, Theater Certificate
● University of Montevallo → BFA in Theater: Acting Concentration, BFA in Theatre: Musical
Theater Concentration
● University of North Alabama → BFA in Cinematic Arts and Theater
● University of South Alabama → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Performance, ~BA in Theater
ALASKA
● University of Alaska Anchorage → BA in Theater with a Concentration in Performance, or
Dance
● University of Alaska Fairbanks → BA in Film and Performing Arts
ARIZONA
● +*Arizona State University → BA in Theater with Acting Concentration, BMUS in Performance
(Music Theater) - Music Department
● Grand Canyon University → BA in Theater and Drama, BA in Dance, etc, ~BA in Theatre for
Secondary Education
● Northern Arizona University → BA in Theater with Performance Emphasis, Theatre Studies
Emphasis, etc
● +*University of Arizona →BA Theatre Arts, BFA Acting (on hold/not auditioning until 2025)
ARKANSAS:
● Arkansas State University → BA in Theater with Emphasis in Musical Theater or Acting
● Arkansas Tech University → BA in Communication - Theatre Option
● Harding University→ BA in Acting, BA in Theater, BA in Drama/Speech Licensure K-12, BA in
Theatre Licensure 7-12
● Hendrix College → BA in Theater Arts, BA in Dance
● Lyon College → BA in Theater Studies, students required to pick an emphasis in Art, Music, or
English
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● Ouachita Baptist University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA Theater, BA in Theatre Education, BA
in Education (K-12): Speech Communication & Theatre Arts Concentration, BA in Secondary
Education (7-12): Theatre Arts Concentration
● Southern Arkansas University → BFA in Theater, BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Music
Performance, Vocal, etc
● University of Arkansas → BA in Theater with Performance Concentration, etc
● University of Central Arkansas → BA or BS in Theater
CALIFORNIA:
● Academy of Art University → AA, BFA in Acting
● Azusa Pacific University → BFA in Acting for the Stage and Screen, BA Theatre Arts
● Biola University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting for the Stage and Screen, and
Musical Theater
● California Institute of the Arts → BFA in Acting, BFA in VoiceArts, BFA in Dance
● California Polytechnic State University → BA in Theater Arts
● California State (Bakersfield) → BA in Theater Arts
● California State (Channel Islands) → BA in Performing Arts, Theater Emphasis
● ~California State (Chico) → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● California State (East Bay) → BA in Theater Arts with Acting and Musical Theater
Concentration, BA in Theater Arts with Dance and Inclusive Performance Concentration
● California State (Fresno) → BA in Theater Arts, BA in Theater Arts with Acting Emphasis, BA in
Dance
● *+California State (Fullerton) → BFA in Theater (Acting Concentration), BFA in Theater
(Musical Theater Concentration), (BFA students must also audition at the end of sophomore
year for formal admission to the higher levels of study), BFA in Theater (Devised
Performance/Physical Theater Concentration), ~BA in Theater
● California State (Long Beach) → BA in Theater Arts
● California State (LA) → BA in Theater, Performance Concentration, BM in Music (Vocal)
● ~California State (Northridge) → BA in Theater with Minors in Musical Theater,
Acting/Directing
● California State (San Bernardino) → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, Musical
Theater, etc
● California State (San Marcos) → BA Theater Studies
● California Poly Pomona → BA in Theater - Acting Subplan, Dance Subplan
● Chapman University → BFA in Theater Performance, BFA in Screen Acting, BA in Theater, etc
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● Concordia University Irvine → BA in Theater, Acting and Directing Emphasis, Musical Theater
Minor
● Dominican University → BA in Theater Arts
● Humboldt State University → BA in Theater Arts
● Loyola Marymount University → BA in Theatre with Concentration in Performance
● Pepperdine University → BA in Theater, BA in Theater and Screen Arts, Musical Theater or
Acting Emphases
● Sacramento State → BA in Theater, Musical Theater Minor, BA or Minor in Dance
● San Diego State University → BA in Theater with Emphasis in Performance - Acting and
Musical Theater
● San Francisco Conservatory of Music → Opera and Musical Theater Program
● San Francisco State University → BA in Theater with Performance Emphasis, BA in Dance
● San Jose State University → BA in Theater Arts
● ~Santa Clara University → BA in Theater Arts with Theater or Dance Emphasis, Musical
Theater Minor
● Simpson College → BA in Theater Arts
● Sonoma State University → BA in Theater Arts with Acting Concentration
● Stanislaus University → BA in Theater Arts with Acting or Directing Concentration
● Stanford University → BA in Theater and Performance Studies, with either a Concentration in
Acting or Theater-Making, Dance Minor
● +University of California (Berkeley) → BA in Theater and Performance Studies, BA in Dance
and Performance Studies
● University of California (Davis)→ BA in Theatre and Dance
● *University of California (Irvine) → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Drama with Honors in Acting
● *+University of California (Los Angeles) → BA in Theater, with Musical Theatre or Acting
Emphasis
● University of California (Riverside) → BA in Theater, Film, and Digital Production, Acting and
Directing track
● University of California (San Diego) → BA in Theater, BA in Dance
● University of California (Santa Barbara) → BFA in Acting, BFA in Dance, BA in Theater, BA in
Dance
● University of California (Santa Cruz) → BA in Theater Arts (Acting Sequence), BA in Dance
● University of California (La Verne) → BA in Theater Arts
● University of Redlands → BA in Theater, BA in Theater Business
● University of San Diego → BA in Theater
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● University of San Francisco → BA in Performing Arts and Social Justice (PASJ), with
concentrations in Dance, Music and Theater
● +**University of Southern California → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting for the Stage,
Screen, and New Media, BA in Theater with Acting and Comedy Concentrations, BA in Visual
and Performing Arts
● Vanguard University → BA in Theater Arts: Musical Theater Concentration, BA in Theater Arts:
Stage and Screen Acting/Direction Concentration
● Westmont College → BA in Theater Arts
● Whittier College → BA in Theater and Communication Arts with Performance Emphasis
COLORADO
● Adams State College → BA in Theater with Emphasis in Performance, Collaborative Creation
● Colorado Mesa University → BFA in Music Theater, BFA in Acting/Directing, BA in Theater Arts,
BA in Dance
● Colorado State University (Fort Collins) → BA in General Theater, BA in Theater with
Performance Emphasis
● Fort Lewis College → BFA in Musical Theater (and Minor), BA in Theater, (BA in MT (new as of
Fall ‘22), ~BA in Theatre, BA in Theatre K-12 Education
● Metropolitan State University of Denver → BFA in Theater with Music Theatre Concentration
(For MT Concentration, Apply to the school, audition for the Department of Music, then if
invited, audition for Department of Theatre and Dance), ~BA in Theater
● *University of Colorado (Boulder) → BFA in Theater with Musical Theater and Acting
Concentrations, BM in Musical Theater, BA in Theater, BA Accelerated Master’s in Theater
● University of Colorado (Colorado Springs) → BA in Visual and Performing Arts, Theater
Option
● University of Colorado (Denver) → BFA in Film and Television, Minor in Performance for
Film/TV, Minor in Theatre, Film, and Television
● University of Denver → BA in Theater with Focus in Performance or Directing
● University of Northern Colorado → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Acting, BA in Dance, BA in
Theater Studies, BA Theatre Arts: K-12 Drama Teaching Emphasis
● Western Colorado University → BA in Theater
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CONNECTICUT
● Central Connecticut State University → BFA in Theater with Specialization in Performance
● Connecticut College → BA in Theater
● Eastern Connecticut State University → BA in Theater with Acting Concentration
● Fairfield Dickenson University → BA in Theater
● Quinnipiac University → BA in Theater
● Sacred Heart University → BA in Theater with Musical Theater Track, Acting Track
● Southern Connecticut State University → BA in Theater
● Trinity College → BA in Theater
● University of Connecticut → BFA in Acting, BA in Theater Studies, BFA Puppet Arts
● +*University of Hartford / The Hartt School of Music → BFA in Music Theater, BFA Acting, BA in
Music, BM in Vocal Performance, BFA Dance
● Wesleyan University → BA in Theater
● *Western Connecticut State University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts
● +Yale University → BA in Theater and Performance Studies, Shen Curriculum of Musical
Theater (Yale’s MFA programs are world renowned.)
DELAWARE
● University of Delaware → Minor in Theater Performance, Theater Studies
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA – WASHINGTON D.C.
● *American University → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater (Performance Track)
● George Washington m → BA in Theater
● *Catholic University → BFA in Acting for Theater, Film, and Television, BM in Musical Theater,
BA in Drama
● *Howard University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Dance
FLORIDA
● Barry University → BFA in Acting, BA in Acting, BA in Theater
● Bethune-Cookman University → BA in Theater with Performance (Acting and Directing)
Emphasis
● Eckerd College / Circle in the Square → BFA in Musical Theater
● Flagler College → BA in Theater Arts
● Florida A&M University → BS in Theater
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● Florida Atlantic University → BFA in Theater: Musical Theater Concentration, BFA in Theater:
Performance Concentration, BA in Theater: General Studies
● Florida Gulf Coast University → BA in Theater
● Florida International University → BFA in Acting, BA in Theater
● Florida Southern College → BA in Theater Arts
● *Jacksonville University → BFA in Musical Theatre with a Vocal Concentration, BFA in Theater
Arts with Concentration in Acting, BA in Theater Arts
● +**Florida State University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater Studies
● Lynn University → BFA in Drama: Acting, BFA in Drama: Musical Theater Performance
● New World School of the Arts → BFA in Theater: Musical Theater, BFA in Theater: Acting
● Nova Southeastern University → BA in Theater
● Palm Beach Atlantic University → BA in Theater Arts
● Rollins College → BA in Theatre with Concentrations in Musical Theater, Performance,
Directing, etc
● Stetson University → BA in Theater Arts
● +*University of Central Florida → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater Studies
● University of Florida (Gainesville) → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Dance, BA in
Theater, BM in Vocal Performance
● +*University of Miami → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater Arts
● University of Northern Florida → BA in English/Theater
● University of South Florida → BA in Theater: Performance Concentration, Theater Arts
Concentration
● +University of Tampa → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater, BA in Dance
● University of West Florida → BFA in Theater with Specializations in Musical Theater and
Acting, ~BA in Theater
GEORGIA
● Agnes Scott College → BA in Theatre, BA in Dance
● Berry College → BA in Theater, Minor in Musical Theater
● ~Brenau University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater, BA in Dance
(Audition for scholarships)
● Clark Atlanta University → BA in Theater Arts
● Clayton State University → BA in Theater
● Columbus State University → BFA in Theater - Performance Track, Musical Theater
Certificate, BA in Theater, BSEd in Theatre Education
● Emory University → BA in Theater Arts, BA in Playwriting, Arts Management Concentration
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● Georgia College and State University → BA in Theater
● Georgia Southern University → BA in Theater
● Georgia State University → BIS Acting Concentration, BA in Film and Media, BA/MA Dual
Degree in Film/Media Production
● Kennesaw State University → BA in Theater and Performance Studies
● LaGrange College → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts with Emphasis in Performance
● Mercer University → BA in Theater
● Morehouse College → BA in Theater and Performance
● Oglethorpe University → BA in Theater
● Piedmont University → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater, BA in Theatre for Youth, BA in
Drama Education)
● Reinhardt University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater, BM in Vocal Performance, etc
● *Savannah College of Art and Design → BFA in Performing Arts with MT focus
● Savannah State University → BFA in Visual and Performing Arts, with an emphasis in Theater
Performance, Dance Performance, or Vocal Performance
● Shorter University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Theater, BA in Theater
● Spelman College → BA in Theater and Performance, BA in Dance Performance and
Choreography
● University of Georgia → AB (BA) in Theater, with emphasis in Acting or Musical Theater
Certificate, AB (BA) in Film Studies
● University of West Georgia → BFA in Theater with Concentration in Acting, Certificate in
Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● Valdosta State University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Theater Performance
HAWAII
● University of Hawaii at Manoa → BA in Theater
IDAHO
● Boise State University → BA in Theater Arts, BFA in Film and Television, BA in Film and
Television, BA in Theatre, Secondary Education
● The College of Idaho → BA in Theater, Theatre Minor
● Idaho State University → BA in Theater with an emphasis in performance
● University of Idaho → BFA in Theater (Performance Track), BA/BS in Theater
ILLINOIS
● Benedictine College → BA in Theater Arts
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● Bradley University → BA in Theater Arts Performance, BA in Theater, BA in Theatre Production
● Columbia College Chicago → BFA/BA in Acting, BFA/BA in Musical Theater, BA in Comedy
Writing and Performance, BA in Theater (Auditions required for BFA programs only)
● *DePaul University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Theater Studies (with many focus tracks), BFA
Comedy Arts
● Eastern Illinois University → BA in Theater Arts
● Elmhurst College → BA in Musical Theater, Major in Theater, Major in Theatre Arts Education,
Minor in Dance
● Illinois State University → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Acting, BA in Theater Studies, BA in
Theatre Education, Major in Dance Education
● Illinois Wesleyan University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater Arts
● Knox College → BA in Theater, Minor in Performance, Directing Minor, Playwriting Minor, Arts
Administration Minor
● Lake Forest College → BA in Theater, Minor in theatre
● Loyola University Chicago → BA in Theater, Minor in Musical Theater, Minor in Shakespeare
Studies
● *Millikin University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater and Performance
Studies
● Monmouth College → BA in Theater
● North Central College → BA in Theater, BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theatre- Directing &
Dramaturgy
● +*Northwestern University → BA in Theater with several modules available, Musical Theater
Certificate, BA in Dance
● Principia College → BA in Theater, Minor in Theatre, Minor in Dance
● Rockford University → BFA in Theater with Musical Theater Concentration, Acting/Directing
Concentration, BA in Theater Arts
● +*Roosevelt University → BFA theatre: Musical Theatre Track, BFA theatre: Acting/ Directing
Track, BA Theatre Arts, Dance Minor, Music Minor, Theatre Arts Minor
● Southern Illinois University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● University of Chicago → BA in Theater and Performance Studies
● University of Illinois College of Fine and Applied Arts → BFA in Acting, BFA in Theater Studies,
Minor in Theatre
● Western Illinois University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Performance, Theatre
Minor, Dance Minor, Stage Combat Minor
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INDIANA
● *Ball State University → BFA in Theater - Musical Theater Option, Acting Option, Dance
Option, BA/BS Theater Education
● Bethel University → BA in Theater Arts, Minor in Musical Theater
● Butler University → BFA in Acting, BA in Theater with Emphasis in Acting, Musical Theater
● Earlham College → BA in Theater Arts
● Franklin College → BA in Theater
● Goshen College → BA in Theater, Theater Education Minor
● Hanover College → BA in Theater
● Indiana State University → BA in Theater with Acting Concentration, Theater Studies
Concentration
● **Indiana University (Bloomington) → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater + Drama, BFA in
Contemporary Dance
● Indiana University (Northeast) → BA in Theater
● Indiana University (South Bend) → BFA, Musical Theater concentration, BA in Theater
● Indiana University (Southeast) → BA in Communications - Theater, Theatre Minor
● Indiana Wesleyan University → BA in Theater or BS in Theater, minor in theatre
● Purdue University → BA in Theater, Certificate in Acting - Communication Through
Performance
● St. Mary’s College of Indiana → BA in Theater with Musical Theater Minor, Dance Minor,
Theater Performance Minor
● Taylor University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts, theatre minor
● University of Evansville → BFA in Theater Performance, BS in theatre performance
● ~University of Indianapolis → BA in Theater with Performance/Directing Concentration,
music theatre concentration, BA in Theater Teaching
● University of Notre Dame → BA in Film, Television, and Theater, BA in Theater
● University of Southern Indiana → BA or BS in Theater Art
● Valparaiso University → Minor in Musical Theater, Minor in Acting, Minor in Generalized
Theater, BM
● Wabash College → BA in Theater
IOWA
● Central College → BA in Musical Theater
● Coe College → BA in Theater Studies with focus in Acting, Directing, Playwriting, etc.
● Dordt College → BA in Theater Arts with Emphasis in Performance, Theatre Studies
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● Drake University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Theater with Teacher
Certification, BA in Theater
● Graceland University → BA in Theater
● Grinnell College → BA in Theater
● Iowa State University → BA in Performing Arts
● Luther College → BA in Theater, Musical Theater Minor, Theatre Minor
● Northwestern College → BA in Theater, BA in Theatre Education, BA in Worship Arts
● University of Iowa → BA in Theater with Musical Theater Track, or double Major in Theater and
Music, etc
● University of Northern Iowa → BA in Theater Performance, etc
● Waldorf University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Musical Theater, Theater Arts
Performance, etc
KANSAS
● ~Emporia State University → BFA in Theater, BA in Theater, BS in Education: Speech and
Theater
● Fort Hays University → BA in Music with Concentration in Music Theater, BA in Theater
● ~Friends University → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater, BA in Speech/Theater Education
● Kansas State University → BA or BS in Theater
● Kansas Wesleyan University → BA in Theater Arts
● MidAmerica Nazarene University → BA in Theater with Emphasis in Musical Theater,
Acting/Directing
● Pittsburg State University → BA in Communication with Emphasis in Theater
● Sterling College → BA in Theater Arts with Concentration in General Performance
● University of Kansas → BA in Theater, BGS in Theater, BFA in Dance, BA in Dance
● Washburn University → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● ~Wichita State University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Theater Performance, BA in
Theater
KENTUCKY
● Asbury University → BA in Theater
● Bellarmine University → BA in Theater
● Berea College → BA in Theater
● Campbellsville University → BA in Theater Performance
● Centre College → BA in Theater
● Georgetown College → BA in Theater and Film
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● Kentucky Wesleyan University → BA in Theater
● ~Morehead State University → BA in Theater, Teacher Certification Available
● Murray State University → BA in Theater, Musical Theater Track
● ~Northern Kentucky University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater, BA in
Theater in World Cultures
● Transylvania University → BA in Theater
● University of Kentucky → BA in Theater, Musical Theater Certificate, BA in Dance
● University of Louisville → BA in Theater Studies, Minor in Black Performance Studies
● ~Western Kentucky University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Performing Arts,
BA in Theater, BA in Dance (Auditions for BFA programs required in third semester)
LOUISIANA
● Centenary College of Louisiana → BA in Theater with Acting Emphasis
● Dillard University → BA in Theater with Performance Concentration
● Grambling State University → BA in Visual and Performing Arts
● Louisiana State University → BA in Theater with Performance Concentration, Physical Theater
Concentration, Theater Studies Concentration
● Louisiana Tech University → BA in Communication with Emphasis in Theater
● McNeese University → BA in Liberal Studies with Concentration in Theater
● ~Northwestern State University → BFA in Dance, BA in Theater
● *Tulane University → BA in Theater with Concentration in Performance (Acting and
Directing), BFA in Dance, BA in Dance
● University of Louisiana (Lafayette) → BFA in Performing Arts: Theater Concentration
● University of New Orleans → BA in Theater Arts
MAINE
● Bates College → BA in Theater with Track A: Theater/Dramaturgy, Track B: Acting, etc
● Bowdoin College → BA in Theater and Dance: Interdisciplinary Performance Concentration,
Dance Concentration
● Colby College → BA in Theater and Dance
● University of Maine → BA in Theater
● University of Maine Farmington → BA in Visual and Performing Arts: Theater
● University of Southern Maine → BM in Music Performance, Musical Theater Concentration, BA
in Theater
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MARYLAND
● Bowie State University → BS in Theater Arts
● Frostburg State University → BA in Theater with Acting Track, Musical Theater Minor
● Goucher College → BA in Dance, Theater Minor, Music Minor
● Loyola University Maryland → BA in Fine Arts, Theater Concentration
● McDaniel College → BA in Theater Arts, Musical Theater Performance Minor, Acting Minor
● Morgan State University → BA in Theater Arts
● Salisbury University → BA in Theater with Performance Track
● Stevenson University → BS in Theater and Media Performance
● Towson University → BFA in Acting, BA/BS in Theater Arts
● University of Maryland Baltimore County → BFA in Acting, BA in Theater
● University of Maryland College Park → BA in Theater, BA in Dance
● Washington College → BA in Theater
MASSACHUSETTS
● Amherst College → BA in Theater and Dance
● ~Boston College → BA in Theater, Minor in Theater, Minor in Dance, Minor in Educational
Theater
● +*Boston Conservatory at Berklee (BoCo) → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Contemporary
Theater
● *Boston University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Theater, Concentration in Music Theater
● ~*Brandeis University → BA in Theater Arts
● ~Bridgewater State University → BA in Theater Arts, BA in Theater Education
● Clark University → BA in Theater Arts
● College of the Holy Cross → BA in Theater with Acting Emphasis, possible to create own
major, Dance minor
● ~Dean College → BA in Theater with Concentration in Musical Theater, Acting, etc.
● Eastern Nazarene College → BA in Theater for Social Justice
● +**Emerson College → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Theater, BFA in Theater
Education and Performance, BFA in Comedic Arts
● Fitchburg State University → BS in Communications Media, Theater Concentration
● Gordon College → BA in Theater Arts
● Hampshire College → Theater Program (Unclear to me what the degree type is)
● +Harvard University → Concentration in Theater, Dance and Media
● Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts → BA in Performing Arts with Concentration in Theater
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● Massachusetts Institute of Technology → BS in Humanities and Engineering or Science -
Theater Arts, BS in Theater Arts
● Mount Holyoke College → BA in Theater Arts with Emphasis in Acting/Directing
● Northeastern University → BA in Theater, BA in Theater and English, Minor in Musical Theater
● Salem State University → BFA in Theater Arts with Performance Concentration, BA in Theater
Arts
● Smith College → BA in Theater
● Stonehill College → BA in Performing Arts with Theater Concentration
● Suffolk University → BA or BS in Theater, focusing on Musical Theater, Performance, etc
● Tufts University → BA in Theater and Performance Studies
● University of Massachusetts - Amherst → BA in Theater
● University of Massachusetts - Boston → BA in Theater, Dance Minor
● University of Massachusetts - Lowell → BA in Theater Arts, Concentration in Theater - English
● Wellesley College → BA in Theater Studies
● Westfield State University → BA in Theater Arts - Performance Track, Theater Studies Track
● Wheaton College → BA in Theater and Dance - Theater Track or Dance Track
● Williams College → BA in Theater
MICHIGAN
● Albion College → BA in Theater
● Alma College → BA in Theater
● Central Michigan University → BFA in Acting and Directing, BFA in Music Theater
● Eastern Michigan University → BA in Theater Arts, Musical Theatre minor, BA Secondary
Education: Communication and Theatre Arts Teaching)
● Grand Valley State University → BA or BS in Theater
● Hillsdale College → BA in Theater
● Hope College → BA in Theater
● Kalamazoo College → BA in Theater Arts
● Michigan State University → BFA in Theater, Minor in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● Northern Michigan University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater and Entertainment
Arts, BA in Dance
● Oakland University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Dance, BFA in Dance
● Saginaw State University → BA in Theater
● University of Detroit Mercy → BA in Theater
● +**University of Michigan → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, etc
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● Wayne State University → BFA in Theater, Performance (Acting) Concentration, BA in Theater,
BA or BS in Dance
● *Western Michigan State University → BFA in Musical Theater Performance, BFA in Acting
MINNESOTA
● Augsburg University → BA in Theater with Concentration in Performance, etc, Musical
Theater Minor
● Bethany Lutheran College → BA in Theater with Concentration in Performance
● Carleton College → BA in Theater, BA in Dance
● College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University → BA in Theater
● Concordia College - Moorhead → BA in Theater Art
● Concordia College - St. Paul → BA in Theater
● Gustavus Adolphus College → BA in Theater
● Hamline University → BA in Theater Arts
● Macalester College → BA in Theater and Dance
● Minnesota State University Mankato → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater
Arts
● North Central University → BA in Theater
● Southwestern Minnesota State University → BA in Theater Arts with a Minor in
Acting/Directing
● St. Cloud State University → BA in Theater
● St. Mary’s University of Minnesota → BA in Theater with Acting/Directing Track, Musical
Theater Track, Dance Track, Theater Studies Track
● St. Olaf College → BA in Theater
● University of Minnesota Duluth → BFA in Theater with Musical Theater Emphasis, Acting
Emphasis, etc. BA in Theater
● University of Minnesota Twin Cities → BFA in Acting, BA in Theater Arts
● University of Northwestern St. Paul → BA in Theater, Musical Theater Concentration, Dance
Concentration, Theater Selectives Concentration
● Winona State University → BA in Theater
MISSISSIPPI
● Belhaven University → BA in Theater with Performance Emphasis
● Delta State University → BA in Communication Studies and Theater Arts, Concentration in
Theater Arts with Emphasis in Acting
● Jackson State University → BA in Art, Theater Emphasis
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● Mississippi State University → BA in Communication with Theater Emphasis
● Mississippi University for Women → BA in Theater, BA Theatre Education
● University of Mississippi → BFA in Acting for the Stage and Screen, BA in Theater Arts, etc
● University of Southern Mississippi → BFA in Theater (Acting), Musical Theatre “Professional
Training” option, BA in Theater, Southern Opera and Musical Theater Company
● William Carey University → BA in Theater
MISSOURI
● Avila University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater, Secondary Education
concentration available
● Central Methodist University → BA in Theater Arts, BS in Theater Arts, emphasis in Education
and Theatre Arts available
● College of the Ozarks → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater, BA in Speech and Theatre
Education
● Culver-Stockton College → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA or BA in Theater, BS Speech and
Theatre Education
● Lindenwood University → BFA Theatre with Acting Emphasis, BFA Theatre with Musical
Theatre Emphasis, BFA Dance, BA Theatre, BA Dance
● Drury University → BA in Theater
● Evangel University → BA in Theater
● Fontbonne University → BA in Performing Arts with Concentration in Acting/Directing,
Speech/Theater
● Hannibal-LaGrange University → BA or BS in Theater
● Lindenwood University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA/BFA in Dance, BA in
Theater, etc
● Missouri Baptist University → BM in Musical Theater, BA or BS in Theater
● Missouri Southern State University → BM in Musical Theater, BFA, BA or BS in Theater
Performance, etc.
● Missouri State University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Dance, BA or BS in
Dance, BA or BS Theatre, BA Speech and Theatre Education
● Missouri Western State University → BAA in Performing and Cinematic Arts
● Northwest Missouri State University → BA in Theater, BS in Theatre Performance, BSEd
Speech and Theatre Education
● Saint Louis University → BA in Theater
● Southeast Missouri State University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Theater (Acting), BA in
Theater, BA in Dance
Page 17
● Southwest Baptist University → BA in Theater
● Stephens College - Conservatory for the Performing Arts → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in
Acting
● Truman State University → BA in Theater, Minor in Musical Theater
● University of Central Missouri → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Theater Performance, BA in
Theater, etc
● University of Missouri Columbia → BA in Theater
● University of Missouri Kansas City → BA in Theatre Arts
● Washington University → BA in Drama
● **Webster University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater Studies and
Dramaturgy
● William Jewell College → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater, BS Secondary Education:
Speech and Theatre Emphasis
● William Woods University → BA in Theater
MONTANA
● Carroll College → BA in Theater
● Rocky Mountain College → BA in Theater Arts: Performance
● University of Montana → BA in Theater, BFA Concentrations (after first year) in Acting,
Musical Theater, BA in Dance, Theatre Education Minor
NEBRASKA
● Creighton University → BFA or BA in Theater
● Doane University → BA in Theater
● Hastings College → BA in Theater
● Nebraska Wesleyan University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Theater
Studies, BA in Theater Arts, BA Theatre Arts Education
● University of Nebraska at Kearney → BA in Theater
● University of Nebraska Lincoln → BFA in Acting
● University of Nebraska Omaha → BA in Theater Arts with Concentration in Acting/Directing,
Musical Theatre Minor available
● Wayne State College → BA or BS in Speech Communication/Theater Arts
Page 18
NEVADA
● University of Nevada - Las Vegas → BA in Theater with Concentration in Stage and Screen
Acting
● University of Nevada - Reno → BA in Theater (Acting, Musical Theater, or Dance)
● Western Nevada College’s Musical Theater Company
NEW HAMPSHIRE
● Dartmouth College → BA in Theater
● Keene State College → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, etc. BA in Dance
● Plymouth State University → BA in Theater Arts with Concentrations in Acting, Music Theater
Performance, etc.
● University of New Hampshire → BA in Theatre with Acting and Directing Option, Dance
Option, Musical Theater Option, BA Theatre: Secondary Theatre Education Option, BA Theatre:
Youth Drama Option
NEW JERSEY
● Centenary University → BA in Theater Arts with Concentrations in Performance Studies,
Musical Theater, etc.
● Drew University → BA in Theater Arts
● Fairleigh Dickenson University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, Musical
Theater, etc.
● *Kean University → BFA in Theater Performance, BA in Theater
● Monmouth University → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Music Industry
● **Montclair State University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Theater - Acting Concentration,
BA in Theater Studies (Teacher Education Concentration available), BFA in Dance, Minor in
Musical Theater, etc
● New Jersey City University → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Music Business, BFA in Dance
● +Princeton University → Certificates in Music Theater, Theater, Dance
● Ramapo College of New Jersey → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, Theater
Studies, etc
● *Rider University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater: Musical Theater Track, BFA in Acting
for Film, TV, and Theater, BA in Theater: Contemporary Theater Practice, BA in Dance
Performance, etc
● Rowan University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Musical Theater, Acting, and
Teaching, BA in Dance
Page 19
● Rutgers University - Camden → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, Musical Theater,
etc, Combined BA/MAT in Theater Education
● *Rutgers University - New Brunswick (Mason Gross School of the Arts) → BFA in Theater with
Concentrations in Acting, etc. BA in Theater
● Seton Hall University → BA in Theater
● Stockton University → BA in Performing Arts with Concentration in Theater Performance,
Dance Performance, etc
● William Paterson University → BA in Communication: Theater and Comedy
NEW MEXICO
● Eastern New Mexico University → BA in Theater
● New Mexico State University → BA in Theater with Emphases in Musical Theater, Acting, etc.
● University of New Mexico → BA in Theater
NEW YORK
● Adelphi University → BFA in Theater with Concentration in Acting
● Alfred University → BA in Theater
● American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AMDA) → Associates Degrees, BA (Transfer) Degrees
in Musical Theater and Acting
● Bard College → BA in Theater and Performance
● +Barnard College / Columbia University → BA in Theater Arts
● Brooklyn College (CUNY) → BFA in Acting, BA in Theater
● *Cap21/Molloy College → BFA in Theater Arts (Musical Theater)
● Circle in the Square/Eckerd College → BFA in Theater, BFA in Musical Theater
● City University of New York (CUNY) → BA in Theater, Acting Track, Musical Theater Track, etc
● Colgate University → BA in Theater
● College of Staten Island (CUNY) → BS in Drama
● Elmira College → BA in Theater
● Five Towns College → BFA in Theater, Musical Theater, Acting Concentrations, etc
● *Fordham University → BA in Theater, Performance Track, etc
● Hamilton College → BA in Theater
● Hartwick College → BA in Theater Arts, Musical Theater Concentration
● Hobart and William Smith Colleges → BA(?) in Theater
● ~*Hofstra University → BFA in Performance, BA in Drama, Minor in Musical Theater (Audition
at end of sophomore year)
● Hunter College (CUNY) → BA in Theater
Page 20
● +**Ithaca College → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater Studies, etc
● +*The Juilliard School → BFA in Acting, BFA in Music, BFA in Dance (No degree in Musical
Theater)
● Le Moyne College → BA in Theater Arts
● Lehman College (CUNY) → BA in Theater
● Long Island University Brooklyn → BFA in Acting for Theater, Film, and Television
● Long Island University Post → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater Arts
● **Manhattan School of Music → BM in Musical Theater
● Manhattanville College → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater, BA in Dance and Theater, BA
in Dance
● Marist College → BA in English with Concentration in Theater
● *Marymount Manhattan College → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts
● *Nazareth College (BFA in Musical Theater, Musical Theater and Acting Minors, BA in Theatre
Arts with Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education and Inclusive Adolescence
Certification in English options)
● The New School → BFA in Dramatic Arts
● +**New York University (Tisch) → BFA in Drama. 10 Studios that you can apply to – New
Studio on Broadway = MT
● +**New York University (Steinhardt) → BM in Vocal Performance, Music Theater, ~BS in
Educational Theatre
● Niagara University → BFA in Performance, BFA Theater Specialization, BFA Design and
Production
● +**Pace University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Acting for Film, TV, Voiceover & Commercials, BFA
in Musical Theater, BA Acting, BFA Commercial Dance
● Queens College → BA(?) in Drama and Theater
● Russell Sage College with NYSTI → BA in Theater Arts, BS in Musical Theater
● Sarah Lawrence College → Doesn’t appear to have a major in Theater or Dance, but strong
department
● Skidmore College → BA in Theater with Concentration in Acting, etc
● St. Bonaventure University → BA in Theater
● St. Lawrence University → BA in Performance and Communication Arts with Concentration in
Theater/Performance Studies
● SUNY Albany → BA in Theater
● SUNY Binghamton → BA in Theater with Concentration/Track in Acting/Directing
● SUNY Brockport → BA or BS in Theater, Minor in Musical Theater
● *SUNY Buffalo → BA in Theater
Page 21
● *SUNY Cortland → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Musical Theater, Minor in Musical Theater
● *SUNY Fredonia → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts
● SUNY Geneseo → BA in Theater
● SUNY New Paltz → BA in Theater Arts
● SUNY Oneonta → BA in Theater
● SUNY Oswego → BA in Theater
● SUNY Plattsburgh → BA in Theater
● SUNY Potsdam → BA in Theater
● SUNY Purchase → BFA in Acting, BA in Theater and Performance, BFA in Dance Performance
● +**Syracuse University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BS in Drama, etc
● Union College → BA in Theater
● University of Rochester → BA in English with Concentration in Theater
● +~Vassar College → BA in Drama
● *Wagner College → BA in Theater with Concentration in Performance, ~BA Theatre and
Childhood Education (dual major), BA in Design/Technology/Management
● Wells College → BA in Theater
● York College (CUNY) → BA in Speech Communication and Theater Arts, with Theater Arts
Concentration
NORTH CAROLINA
● ~Appalachian State University → BA in Theater Arts with Concentrations in Theater
Performance, General Theater, etc. BA in Dance Studies
● Barton College → BA in Theater Arts
● Brevard College → BA in Theater with Emphasis in Acting, etc
● ~*Catawba College → BFA in Theater with Concentration in Performance, BA in Theater
● Davidson College → BA in Theater
● +Duke University → BA in Theater Studies, Minor in Musical Theater
● Eastern Carolina University → BFA in Theater Arts with Concentrations in Professional Actor
Training, Musical Theater, BFA in Dance with Concentration in Performance and
Choreography, ~BA in Theater Arts, etc
● +**Elon University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Dance Performance and
Choreography, BA in Drama and Theater Studies, etc
● Fayetteville State University → BA in Theater
● Greensboro College → BFA in Musical Theater, BA or BS in Theater
● Guilford College → BA in Theater Studies with Tracks in Performance, Generalist Theater, etc
Page 22
● Highpoint University → BA in Theater with Emphases in Performance, Collaborative Theater,
etc.
● Lees-McRae College → BFA in Musical Theater, ~BA or BS in Theater Arts, ~BA in Theater
Education
● ~Mars Hill College → BFA in Musical Theater (audition at end of Sophomore year), BA in
Theater Arts with Concentrations in Acting/Directing, Dance, etc
● Meredith College → BA in Theater with Concentration in Musical Theater, Professional
Performance Certificate, K-12 Licensure in Theater available
● North Carolina A&T University → BFA in Professional Theater, Acting Option
● North Carolina Central University → BA in Theater, General Theater Concentration or
Performance Concentration
● University of North Carolina - Asheville → BA in Drama
● +University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill → BA in Dramatic Arts, BM Vocal Performance, BM
In Music Education
● University of North Carolina - Charlotte → BA in Theater with Performance Concentration,
Applied Theater Concentration, etc.
● University of North Carolina - Greensboro → BFA in Drama with Concentrations in Musical
Theater, Acting, Education, etc. BA in Drama
● University of North Carolina - Pembroke → BA in Theater Arts, BM in Musical Theater
● *University of North Carolina School of the Arts → BFA in Drama, Acting Concentration, BFA in
Dance with Concentrations in Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Etc
● University of North Carolina - Wilmington → BA in Theater, Performance Option
● Wake Forest University → BA in Theater
● Western Carolina University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Film and
Television Production, BA in Stage and Screen, etc
● William Peace University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
NORTH DAKOTA
● Dickinson State University → BA in Theater
● North Dakota State University → BFA in Theater: Musical Theater, BFA in Theater:
Performance, BA or BS in Theater
● University of North Dakota → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts
OHIO
● Ashland University → BA in Acting, BA in Theater Studies
Page 23
● +**Baldwin-Wallace University → BFA in Acting, BM in Music Theater, BA(?) in
Acting/Directing, BA in Dance and Movement
● Bowling Green University → BA in Theater, BA in Communication (Theater)
● Capital University → BA in Communications with Emphasis in Theater
● Case Western Reserve University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, Theater
Studies, etc
● Cedarville University → BA in Theater
● Cleveland State University → BA in Theater - Acting Track, etc, BA in Dance
● The College of Wooster → BA in Theater and Dance
● Denison University → BA in Theater
● Heidelberg University → BA/BS in Theater with Concentrations in Musical Theater, Acting, etc.
Theater Education Minor
● Hiram College → BA(?) in Performing Arts with Emphasis in Performance, etc
● Kent State University → BFA in Dance Performance, BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Dance
Studies, BA in Theater Studies
● Kenyon University → BA in Drama, BA in Dance, etc (?)
● ~Marietta College → BA in Musical Theater, BFA in Theater with Performance Track, etc, BA in
Theater
● Miami University → BA in Theater
● Muskingum University → BA in Theater with Concentration in Acting, etc
● Oberlin College → BA in Theater with Acting Concentration, etc
● Ohio Northern University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● The Ohio State University → BA in Theater, Minor in Musical Theater, etc
● Ohio University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, BA in General Theater
● ~Ohio Wesleyan University → BA in Theater, Theater and Dance Minors
● +**Otterbein University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater, strong Dance
Minor
● Shawnee State University → BFA in Musical Theater
● +**University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in
Acting, etc
● University of Dayton → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, Dance, etc
● University of Findlay → BA in Theater with Concentration in Performance, etc
● University of Mount Union → BA in Theater
● The University of Toledo → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Stage and Screen Acting,
Theater Arts, etc
● Wittenberg University → BA in Theater with Theater Performance Minor
Page 24
● *Wright State University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Dance, BA or BFA in
Motion Pictures, BA in Theater Studies
● Xavier University → BA(?) in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● Youngstown State University → BFA in Theater/Musical Theater Track, BFA in Theater, BA in
Theater
OKLAHOMA
● Cameron University → BA in Theater with Performance Option
● East Central University → BS(?) in Performing Arts with Concentrations in Theater or Musical
Theater
● Oklahoma Baptist University → BA in Theater
● +**Oklahoma City University → BM in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater
● Oklahoma State University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● Southeastern Oklahoma State University → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Acting/Directing
● University of Central Oklahoma → BFA in Theater Arts Performance, BFA in Theater
Education/Communication
● +**University of Oklahoma → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Drama with Concentrations in
Acting, etc
● University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma → BA in Theater Arts
● ~University of Tulsa → BA(?) in Theater with Emphasis in Musical Theater, Acting, etc
OREGON
● Lewis & Clark College → BA in Theater with Concentration in Performance, etc
● Linfield College → BA in Theater Arts, Minor in Musical Theater
● Oregon State University → BA or BS in Theater (Performance Option?)
● Pacific University → BA in Theater, BA in Applied Theater, BA in Dance
● Portland State University → BA or BS in Theater Arts
● Reed College → BA in Theater
● Southern Oregon University → BFA in Theater Arts, BA or BS in Theater Arts, Minor in Musical
Theater, Shakespeare Studies Minor
● University of Oregon → BA or BS in Theater
● University of Portland → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Performance, etc
● Western Oregon University → BFA in Theater: Actor Training, BFA in Acting and Education,
~BA/BS in Theater
● Willamette University → BA in Theater
Page 25
PENNSYLVANIA
● Albright College → BA in Theater
● Allegheny College → BA in Theater
● Arcadia University → BFA in Acting with Concentration in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts,
etc
● Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania → BA in Theater with Emphases in Performance,
Integrated Theater, etc
● Bucknell University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, etc
● California University of Pennsylvania → BA in Theater with Musical Theater Concentration
● +**Carnegie Mellon University → BFA in Drama, the Acting/Musical Theater Option
● Cedar Crest College → BA in Theater, BA in Dance
● ~Clarion University → BFA in Theater: Acting Concentration, BFA in Theater: Musical Theater
Concentration, Minor in Acting (Audition in 2nd or 3rd semester)
● DeSales University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Musical Theater Performance,
Acting for the Stage and Screen, etc
● Dickinson University → BA in Theater Arts with Tracks in Acting/Directing, Dance, etc
● Drexel University → BA in Dance, Minor in Theater Performance
● Duquesne University → BA in Theater Arts
● East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania → BA in Theater with Specialized Study in
Musical Theater, Acting for TV/Film/Theater, etc
● Eastern University → BA in Theater
● Franklin and Marshall College → BA in Theater, BA in Dance
● Gettysburg College → BA in Theater Arts
● Indiana University of Pennsylvania → BA in Theater, BA in Theater - Musical Theater Track
● King’s College → BA in Theater with Acting/Directing Track, etc
● Lafayette College → BA in Theater
● Lehigh University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting/Directing, General Theater
Studies, etc
● Lycoming College → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, Musical Theater, etc
● Marywood University → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● Messiah College → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● *Muhlenberg College → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, Performance Studies,
etc
● +**Pennsylvania State University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater, etc
● Point Park University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Theater Arts
● Saint Joseph’s University → BA in Theater and Film
Page 26
● *Seton Hill University → BFA in Musical Theater or BA in Musical Theater and Focus in Acting,
Dance, or Music, BA in Theater Arts, BA in Theater Business, BA in Theater Performance, BA in
Dance
● Slippery Rock University → BFA in Theater: Acting, BFA in Theater: Musical Theater, BA in
Theater: Acting, BA in Theater Studies
● Susquehanna University → BA in Theater Performance, BA in Theater Studies, etc
● Swarthmore College → BA in Theater
● **Temple University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, etc, BFA in Musical
Theater, Theatre Education 4+1 Program (BA in Theatre with focus in Education, MA in
Education)
● +**University of the Arts → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Dance
● University of Pennsylvania → BA in Theater Arts
● +University of Pittsburgh → BA in Theater Arts
● University of Scranton → BA in Theater
● Ursinus College → BA in Theater, BA in Dance
● West Chester University → BA in Theater with Tracks in Musical Theater, Performance,
General Studies, etc
● Westminster College → BA in Theater
● Wilkes University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts with Focus on Acting/Directing,
etc
● York College of Pennsylvania → BA in Theater Arts
RHODE ISLAND
● +Brown University → BA in Theater Arts with Concentrations in Theater Arts, Performance
Studies, etc
● Providence College → BA in Theater Arts
● Rhode Island College → BA in Theater
● Roger Williams University → BA in Performing Arts, BA in Theater
● Salve Regina University → BA in Theater
● University of Rhode Island → BFA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, etc, BA in Theater
SOUTH CAROLINA
● Anderson University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● Bob Jones University → BA in Theater
● Clemson University → BA in Performing Arts, Theater Concentration, Music Concentration
Page 27
● *Coastal Carolina University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Physical Theater,
BA in Theater
● Coker College → BA in Theater
● College of Charleston → BA in Theater with Focus in Performance, etc, BA in Dance
● Converse College → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● Francis Marion University → BA in Theater
● Furman University → BA in Theater Arts
● Limestone College → BA in Theater
● Newberry College → BA in Theater, Minor in Musical Theater
● North Greenville University → BA in Theater, BA in Acting, BA in Musical Theater
● ~South Carolina State University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, etc
● University of South Carolina - Aiken → BA in Theater
● University of South Carolina - Columbia → BA in Theater
● ~Winthrop University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Musical Theater, Performance,
etc, BA in Dance
SOUTH DAKOTA
● Augustana College → BA in Theater
● ~Black Hills State University → BA in Communication Studies: Theater Emphasis, Theater
Education Emphasis
● South Dakota State University → BA or BS in Theater
● University of Sioux Falls → BA in Theater Studies
● University of South Dakota → BFA in Theater with Specializations in Musical Theater, Acting,
etc
TENNESSEE
● Austin Peay University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Dance, BA in Acting, BA
in Dance
● *Belmont University → BM and BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Music with Emphasis in Musical
Theater, BFA in Theater, ~BA in Theater and Drama
● Bryan College → BS in Theater
● ~Carson-Newman College → BA in Theater, BA in Education with Theatre K-12 Licensure
● East Tennessee State University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Musical Theater,
Acting, General Theater, Physical Theater, etc
● ~Lee University → BA in Theater
● Lipscomb University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA in Theater Teaching
Page 28
● Maryville College → BA in Theater Studies, Performance Track
● ~Middle Tennessee State University → BS in Theater, BS in Dance, Musical Theater Minor
● Sewanee: University of the South → BA in Theater
● Tennessee State University → BA in Theater with Performance Track
● University of Memphis → BFA in Theater with Concentrations in Musical Theater,
Performance, Dance, etc
● University of Tennessee at Chattanooga → BA in Theater
● University of Tennessee at Knoxville → BA in Theater
● University of Tennessee at Martin → BFA in Dance Education, etc
● Vanderbilt University → BA in Theater
TEXAS
● Abilene Christian University → BFA in Theater, Tracks in Musical Theater, Acting, Dance, etc
● ~Angelo State University → BA in Theater with Specializations in Performance, Generalist, etc,
Teacher Certification Available
● Austin College → BA(?) in Theater
● Baylor University → BFA in Theater Performance, BFA in Theater Performance + Musical
Theater Concentration, BA in Theater Arts
● Collin College → BA(?) in Theater with Tracks in General Theater, Performance, etc
● East Texas Baptist University → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts with Performance
Concentration, etc
● Howard Payne University → BA/BS in Theater
● KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts → AA Degrees in Acting, Musical Theater,
etc
● Lamar College → BA in Theater and Dance - Emphasis in Acting, Dance, etc
● Midland College → BA(?) in Drama
● Midwestern State University → BFA in Theater - Performance Emphasis, etc, Musical Theater
Minor
● Our Lady of the Lake University → BA in Drama
● Rice University → BA in Visual and Dramatic Arts, Theater Concentration
● +Sam Houston State University → BFA in Theater with Emphasis in Acting/Directing, Musical
Theater, Teacher Certification Available
● Southern Methodist University → BFA in Theater Studies, BFA in Acting
● Southwestern Assemblies of God University → BA in Theater
● ~Southwestern University → BA in Theater
● ~St. Edward’s University → BFA in Acting, BA in Theater Arts
Page 29
● Stephen F. Austin State University → BFA in Acting/Directing, BA in Theater
● Tarleton State University → BFA in Theater, BA or BFA in Musical Theater
● Texas A&M University - College Station → BA in Performance Studies,
● Texas A&M - Commerce → BA or BS in Theater
● Texas A&M - Corpus Christi → BA in Theater with Concentration in Acting/Directing
● Texas Christian University → BFA in Theater, Emphases in Acting, Musical Theater, Theater
Studies, BA in Theater, etc
● Texas Southern University → BA in Theater with Performance Concentration
● **+Texas State University → BFA in Theater with Emphases in Musical Theater, Acting,
Performance and Production, Film Production. ~BA in Theater
● Texas Tech University → BFA in Theater Arts - Acting, Musical Theater, BFA or BA in Dance, BA
in Theater Arts, etc
● Texas Wesleyan University → BFA in Theater Arts with Emphases in Acting, Musical Theater
(4 and 2 year plans), BA in Theater (4 and 2 year plans)
● ~Texas Woman’s University → BA in Theater with Concentration in Acting/Directing, etc,
Musical Theater Certificate, etc
● Trinity University → BA in Theater
● University of Dallas → BA in Drama
● University of Houston → BFA in Acting, etc, BFA/BA in Dance
● ~University of North Texas → BA in Theater with Concentration in Performance
● University of Texas - Arlington → BFA in Theater Arts - Acting, Musical Theater, etc. BA in
Theater Arts, etc
● University of Texas - Austin → BA in Theater and Dance with Emphases in Performer’s
Process, Dance, etc
● University of Texas - Dallas → BA in Visual and Performing Arts - Theater concentration
● University of Texas - El Paso → BFA in Theater with Concentrations in Musical Theater,
Performance, etc, ~BA in Theater Arts
● University of Texas - Pan American → BA in Theater with Concentration in Performance, Film
Production, etc
● University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley → BA in Theater with Concentration in Performance,
Film Production, etc
● University of the Incarnate Word → BA in Theater Arts
● Wayland Baptist University → BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
● West Texas A&M University → BFA Musical Theater, BFA Theater - Acting, BA Theater,
Performance
Page 30
UTAH
● *Brigham Young University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Music Dance Theater, BA in Theater Arts,
BA in Theater Arts Education
● Southern Utah University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BA or BS in Theater, BA or BS
in Dance, Minor in Shakespeare Studies, etc
● University of Utah → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, BFA in Theater Teaching, BA in
Theater Studies
● Utah State University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Theater Education, BA in Theater Arts
● Utah Valley University → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, ~BA in Theater Education, ~BA
or AA/AS in Theater Arts
● Weber State University → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts Teaching, BA in Theater
Arts - Focus in Acting/Directing, General Studies, etc
● Westminster College → BA in Theater Arts, BFA in Theater Arts with Acting Emphasis, etc,
Musical Theater Minor
VERMONT
● Bennington College → BA in Theater
● Castleton University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting and Directing, Theater
Studies, etc.
● Middlebury College → BA in Theater
● ~Northern Vermont University → BA in Performance, Art, and Technology with Concentration
in Theater/Musical Theater
● St. Michael’s College → BA in Theater
● University of Vermont → BA in Theater, Musical Theater Minor
VIRGINIA
● Averett University (BFA MT/A, ~BA Theatre, Theatre Arts with Teaching Licensure)
● Bridgewater College → BA in Theater
● ~Christopher Newport University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Acting, Music
Theater/Dance, Theater Studies, etc
● The College of William and Mary → BA in Theater
● Emory and Henry College → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Performance, BA in Theater, BA in
Dance, etc
● George Mason University → BFA in Theater, BA in Theater, etc
Page 31
● Hampden-Sydney College → BA in Theater
● Hampton University → BA in Theater - Performance, BA in Theater
● Hollins University → BA in Theater
● *James Madison University → BM in Musical Theater, BA in Musical Theater or Theater with
Performance, Design, Education, or Theatre Studies concentrations
● Liberty University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, ~BA or BS in Theater Arts, ~BEd in
Theater Arts Education
● Longwood University → BFA in Visual and Performing Arts, Performance Concentration, BA in
Visual and Performing Arts, Generalist Concentration
● Mary Baldwin University → BA in Performing Arts - Theater Concentration, opportunity to
receive a BA/MLitt in Theater and Shakespeare Performance
● Norfolk State University → BA in Theater Arts
● Old Dominion University → BA in Theater and Dance, ~BA in Theater Education
● Radford University → BA or BS in Theater, Minors offered in Performance, Interdisciplinary
Track with Cinematic Arts, etc
● Randolph College → BFA in Theater - Acting, BA in Theater, etc
● Randolph Macon College → BA in Theater
● Regent University → BA in Theater
● Roanoke College → BA in Theater
● +*Shenandoah Conservatory → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting, etc
● University of Mary Washington → BA in Performing Arts
● University of Richmond → BA in Theater, BA in Dance
● University of Virginia → BA in Drama
● ~Virginia Commonwealth University → BFA in Theater with Concentrations in Musical
Theater, Performance, etc (Audition at end of Sophomore year), BA in Theater, Minor in
Musical Theater
● Virginia Tech → BA in Theater Arts
● Virginia Wesleyan University → BA in Theater
● Washington and Lee University → BA in Theater
WASHINGTON
● Central Washington University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Performance, BFA in Theater
Education, ~BA in Theater Studies
● Cornish College of the Arts → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Acting & Original Works
● Eastern Washington University → BA in Theater
● Gonzaga University → BA in Theater Arts, BA in Dance
Page 32
● ~Seattle Pacific University → BA in Theater with Concentrations in Performance, Theater
Studies, etc
● Seattle University → BA in Theater, BA in Interdisciplinary Arts
● University of Puget Sound → BA in Theater Arts
● University of Washington → BA in Drama, Performance Option, etc
● Western Washington University → BA in Theater Arts with Concentrations in Performance,
Theater Studies, etc
● Whitman College → BA in Theater, BA(?) in Dance
● Whitworth College → BA in Theater with Tracks in Acting, Community Based Theater, General,
etc
WEST VIRGINIA
● Bethany College → BA in Theater
● Marshall University → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Performance (Acting), BA in Theater
● Shepherd University → BA in Contemporary Theater Studies
● West Liberty University → BA in Performance
● West Virginia University → BA in Theater
● ~West Virginia Wesleyan College → BA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater Arts -
Acting/Directing Track, etc.
WISCONSIN
● Beloit College → BA in Theater, BA in Dance
● Cardinal Stritch University → BA in Theater, Concentration in Performance, etc
● ~Carthage College → BA in Music with Musical Theater Emphasis, BA in Theater Performance,
BA in Education with Theater Education Emphasis
● ~Edgewood College → BA in Theater Arts with Concentrations in Music Theater, Performance,
Theater Studies, etc. BA in Theater Arts Education
● Lawrence University → BA in Theater with Focus in Performance, etc
● Marquette University → BA(?) in Theater Arts
● ~Ripon College → BA in Theater
● St. Norbert College → BA(?) in Theater
● University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire → BA or BS in Theater Arts, BA or BS in Musical Theater
● University of Wisconsin - Madison → BS in Theater and Drama, Acting Option
● University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, BA in Theater
Practices, etc
Page 33
● +University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point → BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater, BA in
Drama, BA in Dance
● University of Wisconsin - Superior → BA in Communicating Arts, Concentration in Theater
and Digital Filmmaking, Minor in Theater
● ~University of Wisconsin - Whitewater → BFA in Performance, BA in Theater, BSEd in Theater
Education
● *Viterbo University → BFA in Music Theater, BFA in Theater (Acting Emphasis, etc), BA in
Theater
● Wisconsin Lutheran College → BA(?) in Theater
WYOMING
● ~Casper College → AA in Musical Theater, Theater Performance, Dance, etc
● Central Wyoming College → AA in Theater
● Sheridan College → AA in Theater and Dance
● University of Wyoming → BFA in Musical Theater, BFA in Performance, BFA in Theater/English,
BFA in Dance Performance, BFA in Dance Science, etc
Page 34
SCHOOLS THAT REQUIRE A PRE-SCREEN SUBMISSION BEFORE
INVITATION FOR A LIVE AUDITION
(Please check every year as school prescreen policies continue to change!)
These prescreen videos must be prepared and submitted by October/November of your Senior Year
**Participating in the Musical Theatre Common Pre-Screen
**Abilene Christian University
** Auburn University
**Baldwin Wallace (optional to submit, but we recommend to do so)
**Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Brigham Young University
**California State University, Fullerton*
**Carnegie Mellon University
Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA)
Chapman University (CA) (BFA Acting Only)
**Circle in the Square Theatre School
**Circle/Eckerd BFA
**Coastal Carolina University (16) (SC)
**College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati
**Dobbins Conservatory at Southeast Missouri State University
**East Carolina University (NC)
**Elon University (NC)
**Emerson College
**Fairleigh Dickinson University
**Florida Southern College
**Florida State University (FL)
**Hartt/The University of Hartford
**Hussian College Los Angeles
**Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
**Indiana University South Bend (IN)
**Ithaca College (NY)
**Illinois Wesleyan (Unless recruited from off-campus audition)
**James Madison University
Loyola Marymount University (CA )
Nebraska Wesleyan University (NE)
**Marymount Manhattan (only required for regional auditions)
**Millikin University
**Missouri State University*
**Molloy College/CAP21
**Montclair State University*
**Nazareth College*
New York University: Steinhardt School of Education (20-30) (NY)
**Ohio Northern University*
**Ohio University*
**Oklahoma City University
**Oklahoma State University*
**Otterbein University (8) (OH)
**Ouachita Baptist University*
**Pace University (NY)
**Pennsylvania State University (15-20) (PA)
**Point Park University
**Rider University (NJ)
**Roosevelt University (IL)
**San Diego State University
Page 35
**Shenandoah Conservatory (VA)
**Siena Heights University*
**Slippery Rock University
**Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
**Stephens College
**SUNY Fredonia
**Syracuse University (NY)
**Temple University
**Texas Christian University
**Texas State University-San Marcos (TX)
**Texas Tech University
**The University of Alabama
**The University of Alabama at Birmingham
**The University of Arizona
**University of Central Florida (FL)
**The University of Florida
University of Colorado at Boulder (CO)
University of Miami (FL)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbour (20) (MI)
**University of North Carolina at Greensboro
**University of New Hampshire
**University of Oklahoma (12) (OK)
**The University of Texas at Arlington*
University of the Arts (PA) (optional to submit)
**Viterbo University
**Western Connecticut State University
**Wright State University*
Webster (optional to submit, but we recommend doing so)
(Please continue to check for updates to this list,
as more schools plan to add prescreens in 2023!)
Page 36
SCHOOLS THAT OFFER A SENIOR SHOWCASE
(Perhaps not complete, but a starting point)
AMDA
Baldwin-Wallace College
Belmont University
Ball State University (Seniors must audition to be showcase)
Boston Conservatory
Boston University
Brigham Young University
University of Cincinnati -- College Conservatory of Music
Carnegie Mellon University (senior leagues in NY and LA)
Catholic University (NY and DC)
Coastal Carolina University
Columbia College Chicago
Dean College
Emerson College
Elon University (Masterclasses, called “Casting Director and Agency Series” and uploaded to Youtube)
Florida State University
Hartt School
Ithaca College
Indiana University
Kent State University
Molloy/Cap21
Marymount Manhattan College
Millikin University
Missouri State University
Montclair State University
Nazareth College
Northwestern University
New York University -- Tisch School of the Arts (industry nights)
New York University -- Steinhardt School of Education
Otterbein College
Pace University
Penn State University Point Park
University
Rider University
Roosevelt University
Rutgers University
Shenandoah University
Shorter University
Syracuse University (by audition)
Texas Christian University
Texas State University
University of Alabama
University of Arizona
University of California, Irvine (for BFA in MT students/ 4 week Sr NY Satellite Program)
University of California, LA
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Northern Colorado
University of the Arts
Wagner College
Webster University
Western Michigan University
Wright State University
Page 37
SCHOOLS THAT PARTICIPATE IN UNIFIEDS
AND THIS YEAR’S UNIFIEDS DATES
3 Cities I 27 Universities - 2024 dates (https://unifiedauditions.com/)
New York- January 27-28, 2024
Chicago- February 5-8, 2024
Anaheim- February 10-11, 2024
Participating Unified (Member) Schools (Accept Walk-ins?):
The University of the Arts - Yes
Ball State University - Yes
Boston Conservatory at Berklee - No
University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music - No
Cornish College of the Arts - Yes
Emerson College - No
The University of Evansville - Yes
Florida State University - No
The Hartt School, Theatre Division, University of Hartford - Yes
Montclair State University - Sometimes
Ithaca College - No
University of Miami - Yes
University of Michigan - No
University of Ohio - Sometimes
University of Oklahoma – Yes for A, No for MT
Northern Illinois University – Yes, for Acting
Otterbein University - Yes
Pennsylvania State University - No
Point Park University - No
Rider University - Yes
Roosevelt University - Yes
Southern Methodist University - Yes
Savannah College of Art and Design -Yes
University of Utah - Yes
Texas Christian University - Yes
Webster University - No
Viterbo University - Yes
Page 38
Non-Member Schools that often Piggy-back on the
Unified Weekend’s Dates!
School , Unified Location , Unified or Non , Walk-ins?
American Academy of Dramatic Arts, CH,LA, Non-Unified, Yes
Baylor University, CH, Non-unified, Yes
Boston University (Acting), NY / CH / LA , Non-Unified , No
Butler University, CH , Non-Unified , Yes
California Institute for the Arts (CalArts), NY / CH / LA , Non-Unified , No
Coastal Carolina, CH/ LA Non-Unified , Yes
Drake University, CH , Non-Unified , Yes
Five Towns College CH, Non-Unified, Yes
Fordham University, CH , Non-Unified , Yes
James Madison University (MT & TH), NY, Non-Unified, No
Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts (LIPA), CH, LA Non-Unified , Yes
Long Island U. (LIU-Post), CH , Non-Unified , Yes
Long Island U.(Brooklyn) CH, Non-Unified, Yes
Missouri State, CH, Non-Unified, Yes
Non-Member Schools that often Piggy-back on the Unified Weekend’s
Dates! continued…
School , Location , Unified or Non, Walk-ins?
Molloy College/CAP21, CH/ LA, Non-Unified , Yes
Nazareth College, CH, Non-Unified, Yes
Nebraska Wesleyan, CH, Non-Unified, ?
New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts (NYCDA), CH , Non-Unified , Yes
New York Film Academy CH, Non-Unified,Yes
NYU-Tisch , NY / CH / LA , Non-Unified , No
Oklahoma City University (OCU), CH , Non-Unified , Acting Only, Yes
Page 39
Ohio Northern, CH , Non-Unified , Yes
Ohio University, NY / CH / LA, Non-Unified, Yes
Pace University, NY / CH / LA , Non-Unified , No
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Non-Unified, NY, ? Yes
Royal Welsh Academy, CH , Non-Unified , Yes
Rutgers (Acting), NY / CH / LA , Non-Unified , No
Southern Illinois University, CH, Non-Unified, Yes
SUNY Cortland, NY, Non-Unified, Yes
SUNY Purchase, NY / CH / LA , Non-Unified , Yes
Syracuse University (Acting), NY / CH / LA , Non-Unified , No
Temple University, NY / CH , Non-Unified , Yes
Texas Tech, CH, non-unified
Texas State, NY / CH / LA , Non-Unified , Yes
The New School, CH, Non-Unified, Yes
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, CH , Non-Unified , Yes
University of Arizona, CH / LA, Non-Unified, Yes
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), CH , Non-Unified , Yes
University of Illinois/Lyric theatre, CH, Non-Unified, Yes
University of N. Colorado, CH , Non-Unified , Yes
UW - Steven's Point, CH , Non-Unified , Yes
Western Connecticut State, NY, Non-Unified, Yes (Ripley Grier)
Western Michigan, CH , Non-Unified , Yes
Page 40
COLLEGES THAT OFFER GRADUATE MUSICAL THEATRE
DEGREES (MM or MFA):
Arizona State University (MM in Voice, Music Theatre, Opera, MFA in Theatre Performance and Theatre
for Youth and Community)
Boston Conservatory at Berklee (not enrolling new students for Fall 2023)
Minnesota State University- Mankato (MFA with core in Acting, Directing, or MT)
New York University, Steinhardt (MM Vocal Performance, Musical Theatre concentration)
Oklahoma City University (MM in MT, Vocal Performance, MFA in Screen Acting)
San Diego State University (MFA in MT)
Tulane University – Newcomb Department of Music (MFA Performance, MT)
University of Montana (MM in Performance)
INFORMATION ABOUT MUSICAL THEATRE PROGRAMS WITH
STRONG DANCE COMPONENT
(Perhaps not complete, but a starting point)
The MT schools that have been reported to be strongest in dance include:
Boston Conservatory (Boco at Berklee)
Florida State University (FSU)
University of Michigan
NYU Tisch (MT or Dance BFA)
Syracuse (SU)
Elon
Montclair
PACE (BFA in Commercial Dance)
Penn State (PSU)
Point Park University (PPU)
CCM (some disagreement about this)
Cal State Fullerton
Oklahoma City University
Otterbein
University of Oklahoma (OU)
Otterbein has a special track for dancers called BFA in Musical Theatre with a Concentration in Dance (they also
have a dance minor available). Millikin University has a dance minor you can take in addition to the MT program.
Some schools which house departments of dance, as well as musical theatre programs, may be well known for their
dance programs. For example, Oklahoma City University (OCU) is very strong in both musical theatre and dance,
but they exist in separate schools within the university, with different faculty and facilities. University of Ari zona is
well known for its dance department, but scheduling dance classes for MT majors can be difficult. Please do not
assume that because a school has a strong dance program that musical theatre majors will reap the benefits from
this program. In many cases, it has little or no effect on the dance training of MT majors. At the Uni versity of
Oklahoma, there is reciprocity and overlap of the musical theatre and dance departments to the benefit of MT
students. Students report that dance for MT majors is very strong at Elon and FSU. Advanced dancers take note:
University of the Arts, while having a dance major, does not speak of dance as an important component of their MT
major. CMU and UCLA are notably lacking in the dance component. Strong dancers at CMU take classes at Point
Park to keep up their skills.
Ithaca's dance has been noted to be weak. A few other points that have been made on this subject include: Point
Park University and Penn State have some of the hardest dance auditions, but for an advanced dancer it is still
easy. The CMU dance audition has been said to be very easy for an advanced dancer, and in 2014 there was no
required dance audition for MT and Acting candidates. There is no dance department at CMU, which might ac
count for the perceived weakness in dance in CMU’s MT program. In many of the MT programs, advanced danc
ers take classes alongside students who have never studied dance. Some programs, such as Western Michigan
University and Wichita State University, allow students to take higher level dance classes if qualified. At Tisch, MT
majors may not take dance classes with dance majors. Oklahoma City University’s dance audition is not part of the
actual audition, but used strictly for placement.
Page 41
Choosing Audition Material
Plain and simple. Audition pieces should be chosen because the performer in question has a strong connec tion
with the message of the piece, or the piece shows off that performer's talents particularly well...preferably both.
While suggestions can be helpful, you will have a better chance of doing well at the audition if your own blood,
sweat, and tears went into preparing for it. However, we can offer some guidelines as to what to pick and what
not to pick. In general, schools will ask you to have two songs -- one uptempo, one ballad (or one belt, on legit)
-- and one or two monologues -- one contemporary, one classical (or sometimes two contrasting contemporary).
Many schools ask for repertoire (both songs and monologues) from a very specific time or era (usually one song
pre-1970). Many schools also have a dance audition, but that is usually a combination taught to everyone on
the day of the auditions, so on the whole, you won't need to have a dance routine pre pared. As always, there
are exceptions, but this is the norm. (Be advised that if you attend a unified audition, you may need to prepare
your own dance routine for specific schools.)
GENERAL
While it is not always a good idea to do a piece from a show and character that you have already performed, do have
some of your most notable roles and material prepared just in case you are asked. For instance, I was once partici
pating in an NYC Master Class during which one of the participants in the class had recently finished up a stint as
Christine on the Broadway National Tour of Phantom. While the piece she prepared for the class was not from Phan
tom, the instructor asked her to sing the end of “Think of Me” to demonstrate one of his points (working with an acta
ble moment that did not contain actual lyrics). This was a great learning moment and it was nice that she was game to
participate. When you have a credit that iconic or notable, we may all be secretly dying to hear you sing from the rep.
Also, it may help casting directors or college program directors get to know and understand what you do best. If it’s on
your resume, and a notable lead, be prepared (or know that you might be asked) to sing 16 bars or so from the role off
the cuff. (Also- be careful about lying on your resume! They will find out!) There have also been times that folks have
looked at one of my student’s resume and said, “Wow! What you just showed me was a GREAT belt! Thank you! I’d
also love to hear your soprano chops! I see Philia in Forum and Laurey in Oklahoma here on your re sume! Do you
have anything with you from those shows or something similar?” Be ready to do so!
PLAY TO TYPE. This is something a lot of people don't realize about college auditions. While out in the "real" theater
world it can be refreshing for a casting director to see a new take on something, don't do it for the colleges. If you are
a young attractive soprano, don't do King Lear or "Send in the Clowns." Pick something age-appropriate, and yes,
type-appropriate. Same goes for race-specific roles. Though this may be a touchy subject for some, it is an important
point that needs to be brought up. A blonde boy with a surfer accent shouldn't be doing "Bess, You Is My Woman
Now." Now, this is n't to say that if you are Asian, you should only consider Flower Drum Song and Miss Saigon or if
you are black you should only do Dreamgirls. Just make sure that your piece is played by a character that, with
colorblind casting, you could portray. Think of Audra McDonald as Carrie in Carousel awhile back. She was perfect as
Carrie. She wouldn't have done so well as Billy Bigelow, though I'm sure she could have sang "Soliloquy" wonderfully.
Follow her (and the Tony voters') lead. When in doubt, ask yourself, "As of this very moment, would I get cast in this
role?" If the answer is, "Well, no, but I really make it my own out of context!" move on to something else.
SONGS
For EVERY song that you sing, have a full-length version, a 32-bar cut (or one minute cut), and a 16-bar cut (or 30-45
seconds). Some schools want more, some less, and for the ones that ask for less, you should have more available. Try
not to sing anything from something currently running on Broadway. It's a good rule of thumb. (The adjudicators are
going to groan when they hear "Defying Gravity" or "The Wizard and I," or a couple of years ago ANYTHING from
Thoroughly Modern Millie.)
Try not to sing anything too well-known. While shows like Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Cats, etc aren't currently
running on Broadway, they are still too famous to do without the adjudicators groaning to themselves, "Oh, God, not
again." Show them that you've done your homework. There is LOTS of good stuff out there, all you have to do is find
it.When looking for a ballad, going with the standards is always a good bet: Kern, Rodgers and Hart, Rodgers and
Hammerstein, Gershwin, Berlin, Porter, etc. Ballads by these composers usually have extended legato lines, which is
difficult to sing and will showcase you well.
Plus...they're called standards for a reason. Standards, as opposed to the above current or recent Broadway shows,
are never really considered overdone, even though we know them well. (A good standard is always welcome!)
MONOLOGUES
Be wary of monologue books while looking for monologues for COLLEGE auditions. It is fine to go through collec
tion books (101 Monologues for the Serious Actress, etc.) looking for some material, but if you find something you
like, make sure it's from a play, and make sure you READ the play. (You may be asked brief questions about the
character or the piece it’s from during your audition! It never looks good for you to say, “I don’t know, I got it from
some monologue book...or off the internet!” At the very, very least, know the title and author of the play it is from.)
BAA Pro Tip - Check out Humana Festival and other short play anthologies. This will allow you to read many plays in
the same amount of time you could read one full length play. Note that these anthologies often have character
Page 42
breakdowns at the beginning of each play, which makes for quick and effective research. When they ask for classical
monologues, Shakespeare is always a good bet. While there isn't a lot of Shakespeare that hasn't been done over
and over, do your best to show you've done your homework. For instance, instead of do ing Juliet's "Wherefore art
thou Romeo" or Hamlet's "To be or not to be," go for something a little less well-known. BREAK A LEG!
MUSICAL THEATRE PROGRAM QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
1.) Degree/Certificate Type: What type of program does the school offer? Is it conservatory training or a liberal
arts program? Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree? Is musical theatre a major with
distinct curriculum or is it a certificate/concentration?
2.) Curriculum Structure: Does the curriculum cover voice, acting and dance equally or does it have a con
centration in one or two areas? Are you required to complete General Education credits? Does your perfor
mance training begin immediately or do you have to wait several semesters? Does the program focus on
professional training? Do you have the option to train for one or more semesters in another city (i.e. an LA
campus or a sister school abroad)? Are students encouraged to audition for professional jobs outside of
school? Does the school allow students to take a leave of absence to tour, etc?
3.) Majoring/Minoring in a Related Field: Does the program allow you to study T.V./Broadcasting, Com
munications, Theatre Management, etc. in addition to your performance training?
4.) Admission/Retention requirements: Does the program require an initial audition to be accepted? Will
you need to re-audition annually to remain in the program after your initial acceptance? What happens if,
based on re-audition, student is told that they cannot remain in musical theatre program? Does this pro
gram attend the National Unified Auditions?
5.) Class Size and Faculty: How many students are typically accepted into the program each year? What is
the average class size? How many faculty members work in the program full time and/or part time? Are the se
faculty members working professionals? Are the facilities suitable to the program and are they well main
tained?
6.) Performance Opportunities: Are freshman and sophomores eligible to perform in the program? How
many productions are mounted each year and of what type (musicals, plays, dance pieces, cabarets, read
ings, etc.)? Are there any differences based on whether you are in BFA or BA program? Does the school
have an affiliation with a professional theatre company? Will undergraduate and graduate students be con
sidered for the same productions? What various genres of plays, musicals, cabarets, etc. does the university
produce each year? Can acting majors be considered for musicals and MTs considered for plays?
7.) Student Life: What does a typical daily schedule look like? Will students have rehearsals and other re
lated obligations? What is the layout of the campus? Does the school provide housing and, if so, are the fa
cilities well-maintained? Does the school offer meal plans and on campus medical services? Are students
permitted to have a car on campus? Do you feel that the program fits with your personality, work habits, per
sonal needs, budget, and goals as a performer?
8.) Career Development Opportunities: Does the program help students find employment and/or intern
ships (summer and during school year)? Is there a senior showcase and/or other opportunity for exposure?
Do students have networking opportunities with professionals in the field of theatre, T.V., broadcasting, etc?
Does the school bring in master class instructors, guest directors, etc.? What are some of the recent gradu
ates currently working on?
9.) Financial Aid and Scholarships: Does the university offer any talent based scholarships or just
academic? Are you allowed to re-submit higher grades/test scores to continue to be considered for
scholar ships?
10) Facilities/ Campus: What are the facilities like? How many spaces are there for productions? Is there a
blackbox theatre? What sort of practice rooms or rehearsal space is available? Bonuses like new state of
the art facilities or recording studios? How do you like the campus and environment?
ADD YOUR QUESTIONS ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET:
