This comprehensive training program has a national reputation among professional agents, casting directors, and producers as being among the best of its kind. A unique situation exists at Michigan, since theatre, dance and music coexist as departments within the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Students in musical theatre, as part of their curriculum, study with faculty members in the departments of Theatre and Drama, Voice, Dance, and Musical Theatre. The U-M is one of a select number of schools which promote this degree of collaboration among areas within the performing arts.

As part of the degree, students have numerous opportunities to learn about career strategies, audition techniques, and a wide range of performance skills. Studying at Michigan also presents opportunities to choose among hundreds of classes outside the performing arts. In fact, Michigan offers a rare dual degree program in which you can work on the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree simultaneously. All of this combines to make Michigan’s Department of Musical Theatre a unique place for the aspiring musical theatre professional to begin a career.

Ann Arbor, MI

Conservatory Style in Liberal Arts Environment

B.F.A. in Musical Theatre

Large (>25k Students)

50K-60K

Yes

Upload Pre-Screen Materials

Pdf of your full resumé

• includes any training and experience you have had in music, theatre, and dance, as well as academic honors, work experience, and community service.

Recent photograph of yourself

• headshot preferred

Two short, contrasting monologues from plays

• The monologues must be memorized and should be performed in the context of the entire play.
• The monologues should be no longer than 90 seconds each.

Two musical theatre songs of at least 32-bars each with a 2-4-bar piano introduction

• Both songs must be memorized
• One should be written before 1965
• Sing with recorded or live accompaniment, not a cappella.

One 30-60 second clip of yourself moving/dancing

• Your full body should be in view at all times
• You may choose a cut from a musical or a dance performance in which you participated, or record something original
• Any style is acceptable: musical theatre, ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, etc
• Wear appropriate dance attire that will show clean line
• Music may be live or recorded

Optional, for applicants with dance training:

• Execute a set of plies, tendues, grand battements, and pirouettes
• Straightforward, simple exercises are preferred (side view is best)
• Music may be live or recorded

The Department is committed to finding a diverse group of individuals. Some of you may be singer/actors who move well and some may be competitive dancers who sing and act well. The movement/dance portion of your audition should reflect who you are as a performer. We will accept a wide array of presentations that demonstrate your abilities.

Two short, contrasting monologues from plays

• Neither may exceed 90 seconds
• Each monologue must be memorized and should be performed in the context of the entire play

Note:  Auditionees will present one monologue only. The faculty panel will determine which one will be presented.

Two 16-bar selections, to include at least one song from your video recording

• Both songs must be memorized, and one should be written before 1965
• Auditionees will present one song only. The faculty panel will determine which one will be presented.
• An accompanist (usually a faculty member) will be provided.
• You may not sing with your own accompanist, a cappella, or with recorded accompaniment.

Dance class emphasizing ballet technique and including a short combination from a musical

• The faculty will evaluate your technique, incorporation of choreographic intent, performance vitality, acting/communication skills, and potential for growth

On-Campus:

• Friday, January 12
• Friday, January 19
• Friday, January 26
• Friday, February 2
• Friday, February 9
• Friday, February 16

Chicago Unifieds:

• Sunday, February 4
• Monday, February 5
• Tuesday, February 6

The dance portion will take place exclusively in the afternoon/evening on Sunday, February 4 at the Joffrey Ballet. Voice and acting auditions will be held at the Palmer House on Monday, February 5 and Tuesday, February 6.

Yes- limited Freshman scholarships in Musical Theatre

The Musical Theatre Department maintains an enrollment of approximately 84 undergraduate students.  There is no graduate program.

Each fall, 22-24 new students are admitted from the approximately 700 who apply.

Studio course for graduating musical theatre seniors. Class-work involves extensive repertoire exploration, vocal and dramatic coaching in solo literature, and participation in two group musical numbers, culminating in several public presentations, including one in New York City for agents and casting directors.

Limited

Discouraged

Office of Admissions and Student Services
School of Music, Theatre & Dance
1100 Baits Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2085
734-764-0583

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