How to Train for Musical Theatre College Auditions

Auditioning for college is a recent phenomenon. But If you’re planning on going to college to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts, or BFA, in Musical Theater you will very likely be required to audition for the program.

The “college audition process” can sure be a daunting one. Here are a list of trusted programs and coaches that specialize in college audition prep that will help you navigate the process, focus on school choice, monologue and song selection, coach your material and help you get through the process feeling confident with your presentation/audition and application.

1. MTCA - Musical Theatre College Auditions

MTCA January Mock Audition group and Alumni Guest Speakers

MTCA is a team of actively-working theatre professionals who are also passionate and experienced guides for all aspects of college and graduate school theatre audition processes. According to its website, coaching is available in person or via Skype, with coaches in New York City, San Diego, and Los Angeles.

Students have the chance to work one-on-one with specific coaches to prepare songs and/or monologues and to refine their dance technique and dance auditioning skills.

There are several opportunities to show their audition material to other members of our coaching team, both in individual coaching sessions and in mock college audition workshops. MTCA also offers master classes with college theatre faculty, Q&As with alumni students and parents, and workshops on special performance topics.

Check out their site for more info.

2. College Audition Coach - Mary Anna Dennard

Mary Anna Dennard, College Audition Coach

Founded by Mary Anna Dennard in 2000, College Audition Coach an innovative, comprehensive package of complete support for the college audition process.

At its very core is the Online Prep and the first of its kind for performing arts applicants. Membership includes year-long unlimited viewing of the online instructional videos including on-camera tips from college auditors from Carnegie Mellon, Pace, Texas State, U Michigan, U Arizona, Rider and more, access to resume, headshots, and songbook examples from students who got in, an audio Podcast interviews with the most popular college rep, a monologue resources list, organizational tools designed specifically for the college audition process and a complimentary online follow-up consult with Mary Anna.

Private coaching is available to have monologues and song material personally chosen for you.

College Audition Coach exclusively offers the opportunity to participate in Moonifieds, private auditions with major universities in November each year. Schools holding auditions : Baldwin Wallace, CAP 21, Coastal Carolina, Florida State, Montclair State, Ohio Northern, Ohio University, Otterbein, Pace, Point Park, Rider, Shenandoah Conservatory,TCU, Texas State, Texas Tech, University of the Arts, University of Arizona, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma, Viterbo, Wright State.

For more information, click here.

3. MPULSE

University of Michigan 2015 MPULSE

MPulse provides an opportunity for approximately 250 young musicians and performing artists to gain exposure to the rigorous training provided by the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD). Participants hail from Michigan, across the US, and around the globe.

Specifically, the Musical Theatre Workshop is a wide-ranging educational program that gives students the opportunity to work on the Ann Arbor campus with faculty members in the renowned University of Michigan Department of Musical Theatre. The Musical Theatre Workshop enrolls approximately 40 students and is designed for juniors and seniors who are considering BFA degree programs in college.

Workshop students will also participate in a wide variety of master classes with faculty members from the Department of Musical Theatre, the Department of Theatre & Drama, and the Department of Dance. Graduates of the Department also teach classes. Extra sessions are devoted to the application and audition process for university programs. Students will have a clear understanding of the college exploration, application and audition process by the end of the 3-week session.

For more information on MPULSE, click here.

4. Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama Pre-College Program

Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Drama Summer Program

The CMU Pre-College program helps students prepare for the college audition and interview process and illustrates the kind of creativity and discipline required for BFA Drama curriculums.

The six-week program enrolls more than one hundred students in the areas of Acting, Music Theater, Design and Production.Students are encouraged to live on campus so they are able to participate in the CMU community activities, interact with facility and staff and network with peers.

Click here for more information.

5. Texas State University Musical Theater: Nexus Pre-College Summer Intensive

Texas State Nexus Summer Musical Theatre Intensive

This 2-week summer intensive provides exposes young artists to collegiate training, preparing them for the current professional market as well as their college auditions.

The curriculum is based on Texas State University’s highly respected, nationally recognized BFA musical theater program and will be taught by Texas State’s esteemed faculty. Texas State faculty is made up of working professionals with credits that span Broadway, off Broadway, film, television, national tours and international tours, recording, radio, voice-overs, television commercials and much more. Our faculty members work together to fully integrate all aspects of the curriculum with a focus on the health of the performer physically, vocally and mentally. Our curriculum has a cutting edge, outside the box approach and was designed by Broadway professionals to train future Broadway professionals.

NEXUS accepts up to 60 students per year in this highly sought after summer intensive, which prepares them for the demands of a rigorous four-year training program.

For more information, click here.

Other programs to consider:

My College Audition

MT Prep

The MT Project

College Audition Pro

Broadway Artists Alliance College Audition Workshop

College Audition Program

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