How to Prepare for College Musical Theatre Auditions

For those dreaming of starring on Broadway, college is a big step to reach that goal.
Nowadays there are so many different schools and areas of study within the theatrical
umbrella that sometimes it can become difficult to navigate the process of auditioning.
With each school having different requirements to audition and different ways of
submitting material, this guide will help you learn the ins and outs of auditioning for
musical theatre schools.

Part One: Choosing Schools

Step One: Research different Musical Theatre Programs

In order to feel good about a school, you must first know about the school. Spend time
going on the internet and researching different musical theatre programs around the
country. Many websites such as Playbill or Backstage have lists of the best MT schools
across America.
-​ Visit the websites of each school individually. These websites will tell you
information about their program. Information may include:
-​ Programs of Study
-​ Classes
-​ Performance Opportunities
-​ Audition Prep
Step Two: Curating a list of Schools that fit you

Once you have a gist of the different schools, you want to next create a list of the
schools you would like to apply and audition for. These should be schools that align with
what you want to learn, where you want to live, and what you want to do. Because
Musical Theatre is a very competitive major, you want to create a long list with many
schools and divide the list into three sections:
-​ Reaches: These are schools that are extremely competitive and have a very low
acceptance rate. These are considered some of the top MT schools in the
country and have acceptance rates lower than .01 percent for a MT major.
Schools of this magnitude would be:
-​ University of Michigan
-​ Carnegie Mellon University
-​ Texas State University
-​ Targets: These are schools that are mid level. These schools have a competitive
audition process and are known within the industry, however they are not nearly
as difficult to get into as the reach schools. Examples of these schools include:
 -​ Western Michigan University
-​ Kent State University
-​ Oklahoma City University
-​ Safes: These schools either accept everybody, or are known to be easy to get
into. These are schools to fall back on in case the other auditions do not turn out.
Schools like this would be:
-​ AMDA
-​ Eastern Michigan University
-​ Northern Michigan University

Part Two: Preparing the Audition

Step One: Read the College Musical Theatre Common Pre- Screen

The College Musical Theatre Common Pre Screen is an audition tool a majority of
reputable MT schools use. This guide tells students what is expected of them when they
submit their first pre-screen.
-​ A pre-screen is a filmed, at home audition that is meant to serve as a
primary audition. If satisfactory, after a pre- screen a student will typically
be asked to audition in person or on Zoom.
Step Two: Find Material

After reading the Common Pre- Screen rules and getting a better idea of what is
expected of you when auditioning, begin to assemble material that fits the categories
outlined in the College Musical Theatre Common Pre- Screen.
-​ Materials references pieces for you to perform at the audition.
A few thoughts to consider when picking material:
-​ Pick what highlights your personality, do not try to be somebody else.
-​ Pick songs that fit your vocal range and show off all aspects of your voice.
-​ Choose material from published plays/ musicals. Do not perform any
monologues from film/ television.
-​ Ensure that all pieces contrast from one another (Golden Age Song,
Contemporary Song/ Ballad, Uptempo/ etc)
Step Three: Rehearse the Material

Become very familiar with the pieces you have decided to present to the schools.
Memorize your lines and begin to dissect the material in an intellectual manner and look
for the meaning behind the piece. The preparation will show once you film your audition.

Reach out to close friends or teachers that are in the theatrical bubble; ask them to
watch you perform your pieces and ask for notes on how to improve. The more eyes
that watch you and the more notes you get, the better the audition will turn out.
Part Three: Film the Audition

Once all your materials have been selected and you feel confident and ready to film,
find a closed off, quiet space with good lighting. Choose this space as your filming
space.

Step One: Setting up the Space

In the room that you have decided to film in, choose a bland, blank wall to film against.
Make sure no distracting patterns or colors are in your backdrop.
-​ A ring light will help shine light on your face and make the tape look more
professional.
-​ Ensure the phone is in landscape mode and that your upper waist and the top of
head are included in the frame. Do not film your full body.
-​ Have a friend behind the camera to play your music.

Step Two: Film a Slate

A slate is what you do to introduce yourself and the pieces you will be performing to an
audition panel. Before you begin to film your acting/ singing, film a slate. A slate should
look like this:
 -​ Hi! My name is Jane Doe and I will be performing Waving Through a Window
from Dear Evan Hansen by Pasek and Paul, as well as Sante Fe from Newsies
by Alan Menken.
-​ Ensure your slate is your everyday, regular voice and not something overdone.
The panel wants to see you.

Step Three: Film Your Material

After filming your slate, take a breath and begin to film your monologues and songs.
Some tips to ensure that filming goes well:
-​ Make sure the music is not too loud.
-​ Find a point of focus on the wall in front of you so that your eyes do not shift
everywhere while filming.
-​ Calm yourself down and breathe before filming.
Take three takes of each song and monologue to ensure that you have enough footage
to look through.

Part Four: Submit the Audition

Once your audition materials are filmed, re-watch the videos, pick your favorite ones
and upload them to whatever platform your auditions are being held on.
Images

School Play Stock Image

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Person Speaking Image

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Film Camera Image

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Using Phone Image

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Acting Rehearsal Image

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Musician Reading Image

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Reading Icon Image

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Download List Image

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