OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY

PROGRAM OVERVIEW IN “THEIR WORDS”

Designed to prepare students as “triple threats”, this unique interdisciplinary B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, jointly sponsored by the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Department of Music, offers a four-year sequence of courses in acting, voice, music and dance. Musical Theatre majors take acting courses with the Acting majors, including diction and dialects, styles such as Shakespeare and Chekhov, but add courses in music theory, piano, musical theatre, private voice study, and extensive training in jazz, tap, modern, ballet and musical theatre dance. Coursework is augmented with a wide variety of public performances. Musical Theatre majors audition for all mainstage productions, not just musicals. Additional performance opportunities exist in directing workshops and various vocal ensembles. Students are expected to participate each term in music ensembles and mainstage theatre productions, and all students are evaluated annually and must meet professional standards to complete the B.F.A. program.

LOCATION

Westerville, OH

TRAINING APPROACH

Conservatory Style in Liberal Arts Environment

DEGREES OFFERED

B.F.A. in Musical Theatre
B.F.A. in Musical Theatre w/ a concentration in dance

SCHOOL SIZE

Small (<10k Students)

COST

20K-30K

PRE-SCREEN REQUIREMENTS

Yes

LINK TO UPLOAD PRE-SCREEN VIDEOS

https://app.getacceptd.com/otterbein

  • Upload an introduction. Please say your name clearly, the city you’re from, and the pieces that you’re going to do. For monologues, we only need the name of the play and the author.

Song

  • Upload separate clips of an up-tempo song, a ballad, each piece should be approx one minute
  • One of the songs should be from Musical Theatre repertoire, the other song can be from any genre
  • Piano, CD or other audio must accompany singers, A capella recordings cannot be considered
  • Try different distances from the sound source until you get a recording that puts your voice significantly above the accompaniment, we need to be able to hear you

Monologue

  • One monologue
  • The monologue should be from one of Shakespeare’s play
  • Approx one minute

Dance

  • Demonstrate your technique in ballet and jazz/contemporary
  • If your level of training is basic, please include a demonstration of your ability to move freely through space and any basic skills you would like to share
  • If your training is more advanced please demonstrate the following: Jazz- turns, jumps, isolations and floor work, Ballet – pirouettes, grand jete’/ grand allegro, sustained developpe’/arabesque, petit allegro and any additional vocabulary you wish to share
  • Do not include any barre work, musical theatre stock combinations or videos of performances
  • You are also welcome to include additional demonstrations of tap
  • Make a single clip not exceeding two minutes to show all techniques

Optional

  • Special Skills, if you play an instrument, tumble, know stage combat, etc., please feel free to upload this optional video; this is a way for the recruitment team to get to know you, but it is not required

Additional

  • Together the clips should not exceed three minutes, the introduction is not counted as part of the three minutes
  • We will not be influenced by the professional quality of the video; our goal is to make the pre-screening possible for students who don’t have access to equipment other than a smart phone or a laptop
  • For advice on choosing and performing your monologues, please see the guidelines that best suit your needs: On Campus Audition Guidelines (PDF) or Unified Audition Guidelines (PDF)
  • Please note: All Musical Theatre applicants are required submit a dance pre-screen video

LIVE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Song

  • Prepare one up-tempo song, one ballad, one minute each
  • The songs should be from musical theatre repertoire

Monologue

  • One short monologue, approximately, one minute
  • Since we only have time to hear one monologue from MT majors, you may not use one from a film script, must be from a play

Additional

  • Total audition time is 3 minutes.
  • Because we have reviewed your audition tapes and resume, we will not hold a formal dance call. We understand if you have technique or are more of a musical theatre mover. We need both types of actors and you will be considered equally.
  • Because of the nature of Unifieds, we choose to forego the dance call and allow you to see other schools
  • Your audition slot is slated to last 10 mins

AUDITION DATES & LOCATIONS

On-campus

December 9, 2017

January 13, 2018

February 17, 2018

The Ohio Unified:

January 6, 2018

New York

January 20-21, 2018

Chicago

February 5-8, 2018

Los Angeles

February 10-11, 2018

PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Otterbein University awards need-based aid to families with higher incomes than most public universities do. The FAFSA also guarantees families access to low-interest student loans.

Scholarships are awarded to full-time students, contingent upon requirements of the award. Students will be notified of scholarship eligibility at the time of acceptance.

Talent Awards and Acceptance Dates
Most students accepted into one of our degree programs are also offered a talent award, ranging from $500 to $4000 annually. Grants are made on the basis of the audition, portfolio review, and interview.

http://www.otterbein.edu/public/FutureStudents/FinancialAidAndScholarships/Scholarships.aspx

POPULATION OF DEPARTMENT

16 Majors

SENIOR SHOWCASE

Showcase in NYC

DEPARTMENT CONTACT

Stella H. Kane, Senior Instructor, Director of Musical Theatre, Director of Dance
614-823-1455
skane@otterbein.edu

Matt Wolfe, Department Recruitment Coordinator
614-823-1657
audition@otterbein.edu

LINK TO MT HOMEPAGE

LINK TO ADMISSIONS PAGE

Common Application

Office of Admission
uotterb@otterbein.edu
614-823-1500

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