Wright State University prepares tomorrow’s stars of the musical theatre stage. Our Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre is one of the most competitive programs in the nation, and only the most promising students are selected from our annual auditions. As part of the College of Liberal Arts, our students not only learn to perform at the highest level, but also gain a greater understanding of our world to inform their work.

With Wright State’s undergraduate focus, students participate in rigorous conservatory training and exceptional performance opportunities from the very start. Throughout their four years, students are cast in a range of musicals and plays, as understudies, ensemble members, supporting parts, and leading roles. Students also have the opportunity to perform in films produced by our award-winning Motion Pictures program. Seniors travel to New York City to participate in an intensive career workshop and showcase, with elite casting agents and creative talent.

The Musical Theatre faculty members are all performance professionals and teachers, with active careers as directors, actors, choreographers, and teachers in theatres nationwide.

After four years of multidisciplinary training, our graduates are ready to begin work immediately. Recent graduates are appearing in TV and movies, on Broadway and in national and international touring companies, as well as at theme parks and on cruise ships.

Dayton, OH

Conservatory

B.F.A. in Acting/Musical Theatre

Mid-Size (10k - 25k Students)

10K-20K

No

Two one-minute monologues

• Selected from plays in roles that are roughly the student’s age
• Contrasting in style, showing two sides of the student’s abilities (classical, contemporary, comic, dramatic)
• Not be from musicals or stand-alone monologue collections.

Two contrasting one-minute song excerpts from musicals

• One should be from contemporary theatre repertoire or reflect recent styles
• The songs should demonstrate two facets of your singing ability, such as classic or contemporary, ballad or up-tempo
• Provide sheet music in the desired key, marked to the appropriate length on double-sided copies in a binder for easy reading by our accompanists.

Auditioning students also will participate in a dance audition for placement purposes and should wear appropriate dance attire. You will change into regular clothes for the remainder of your audition.
*Your audition also serves to determine qualification for talent scholarships.

• Friday, November 3, 2017 (Master Class)
• Saturday, November 4, 2017 (Audition)
• Sunday, January 21, 2018 (Audition)
• Sunday, February 4, 2018 (Audition)
• Friday, February 16, 2018 (Master Class)
• Saturday, February 17, 2018 (Audition)

All auditions take place on campus.

The Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures offers an array of scholarships based on talent, academic performance, and financial need. Amounts varies from $500 to the value of in-state tuition. For first-year students, the audition will determine qualification for a scholarship.

Department scholarships include:

• The Tom Hanks And Rita Wilson Scholarship
• The Augsburger/Estevez Scholarship Created By Martin Sheen
• The Theatre Arts Talent Scholarship
• The Rising Star Scholarship

Talent scholarships are awarded for one year to students in acting, dance, motion picture production, and design/technology. Students in all majors are eligible to apply each year for merit scholarships. Although competition for scholarships is keen, the department provides generous support to qualified students throughout their four years of study to enable them to complete their degree.

Contact Victoria Oleen to audition/interview with the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures and for application process and deadline date.

Link to Scholarship Application

64 Musical Theatre Majors (incoming class size= 16)

Musical Theatre students may choose to participate in an intensive workshop to prepare them for audition trips to New York or other major entertainment centers. This workshop assists students in the selection and preparation of a wide range of audition materials and in the development of the actor’s presentation. The Showcase in New York City is the culmination of four years of intensive training, includes several audition workshops with top industry professionals, career seminars, alumni networking events and an intensive introduction to the theatre, film and TV industry.

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Wright State Online Application