Musical Theatre Auditions

A prescreen and audition are required for admission to the Musical Theatre (BFA) program.

Requirements

  • Submit the appropriate application: First-time students | Transfer students
  • You must complete the prescreen process before you are eligible to sign up for an audition. Prescreens are due by January 15.
  • Create your account using Acceptd. Fee: $20. If you are unable to pay this fee, contact Amanda Brady, at abrady8@naz.edu to request a fee waiver. Waivers are not guaranteed, but are considered on a case by case basis.
  • All musical theatre majors who pass their prescreen will schedule their audition through the same Acceptd account.

Nazareth University follows the Musical Theatre Common Prescreen (MTCP) guidelines. For the 2023/24 Audition Cycle, MTCP has included a list of helpful hints. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of these resources, which have been thoughtfully and intentionally crafted by the expertise of multiple programs nationwide to support the excellence of the audition and for your benefit. View the MTCP Audition Resources & Tips for Applicants (below the participating institutions and requirements).

Prescreen Submission

Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc.) All prescreen videos should be uploaded to Nazareth’s Acceptd account: https://nazarethuniversity.getacceptd.com

Once these pieces are submitted, you will be invited to sign up for an audition through your Acceptd account.

Slate

There should not be a separate introduction or “slate” video. Instead, “slates” are to appear at the beginning of each piece and included as part of the time allotment. Examples:

  • The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song title, and show in which it appears.
  • The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.
  • The proper slate for a piece of dance is to share your name, the title of the song you are dancing to, and the name of the choreographer. If the piece is "self-choreographed" you should share your own name as choreographer.

Songs

Students should prepare 2 contrasting pieces:

  • Style: one song should be a ballad (where the piece has longer, sustained vocal lines) and one song should be an uptempo (where the vocal line moves at a conversational pace) so as to contrast style.
  • Each song file should be 60–90 seconds. (This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds.)
  • Students must sing to live or recorded accompaniment. No "a cappella" singing.
  • One of the two songs (student’s choice) should be filmed in a full frame shot to see your full range of expression, and the other one in a close-up shot (top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame).
  • Complete MTCP Option A
    • One song should be written prior to 1970. This song can be either the uptempo or the ballad (student’s choice).
    • One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.

Monologues

  • Monologues must be from a published play.
  • Monologues cannot be from musicals.
  • Each monologue file should be 60–90 seconds in length. This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds.
  • MTCP Option A
    • 1 contemporary monologue (typically written after 1950), 60–90 seconds in length.
    • The contemporary monologue should be filmed in a “close-up” shot, which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the

Dance

  • Framing: All dance media should be filmed in a "full frame" shot taking care to keep the student’s entire person in the frame at all times. This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 60 seconds
  • Style: Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be connected to the music where the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose.
  • All choreography must be performed to music; please no "a cappella" dance media.
  • You do not need to slate in any dance media.
  • Helpful Hint: You are encouraged to keep a full-length mirror behind the filming device to see yourself as you execute choreography.
  • Required Dance Option
    • 30–60 seconds of dance in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident. This may include, but is not limited to jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or dance styles beyond American and Euro-western styles.
    • Please do not submit "barre work." Instead, submit it with the optional "Ballet Submission."
    • Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well. To the best of your ability, move your body fully. Please include at least one turn, one jump and one kick (or other suitable rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body).
    • Dance media can be self-choreographed, but must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
    • All choreography must be performed to music; please no a cappella dance media.
  • Ballet (optional)
    • Ballet media should be no more than 60 seconds.
    • Execute a brief series of plié, tendu and grande battement; and also pirouette en déhors (to both sides), and grand jeté across the floor.

Wild Card (required)

  • Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds, and applicants do not need to slate in this media.
  • This media can be anything you want: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument that you play, etc. (What do you want us to know about you? What makes you unique?) See the resources page of the MTCP guidelines for ideas on Wild Card submissions.

Audition Process

See tips: Prepare for your musical theatre audition »

Audition in three performance areas: vocal, dance, and acting components. Before your scheduled audition day, please submit these three portions to Acceptd following the prescreen requirements above.

On your audition day, please bring with you a headshot and resume. We recommend that the following pieces defer from your prescreen material.

Dance portion

You will be given a brief warm up and dance combination during your audition. Please bring appropriate dance attire. (If you're auditioning on campus, this will take place first in your day.)

Vocal portion

Sing two contrasting 60–90 second songs that demonstrate your ability to sing in tune with good quality and musical intelligence. Both songs should be memorized. At least one should be musical theatre, and the other can be a pop/contemporary song. Preferably, these pieces should be different from what was demonstrated in your prescreen.

Acting portion

Prepare one contemporary memorized monologue that's less than two minutes long. Select audition monologues that contain characters within five years of your current age.

For your scheduled audition date, you will receive confirmation emails prior, but will not receive the full schedule until you arrive on your audition day. Each audition starts with the dance portion, so you're free to come dressed appropriately. Auditions also will include a brief interview with our faculty.

Re-auditions
If you audition and are not admitted to your first-choice program in Musical Theatre, you may not audition again later for the same program.

Audition tips

From Nicolette Hart, voice faculty member in musical theatre:

  • Choose material that matters to you.
  • We are interested in you as the individual, human, and artist that you are at this present moment. Make sure your whole essence is coming into the room.
  • Your package should feel like a second skin. Avoid trying out new material, underdeveloped monologues, or something someone "told you to do."
  • Begin the audition with whatever feels the most comfy. This way you give yourself a minute to take in the space and be present with those of us in the room with you.
  • Feeling nervous? That's OK! Allow the nervousness to become positive energy. And then share it with us. Never come in the room trying to hide anything. We see you. And we want to see you!
  • Expect to begin with a group dance call, followed by individual song/monologue sessions, and a Q&A.
  • Remember, as with all auditions: We want you to do well. We are rooting for you! We want you to succeed!

Come fly with us!

Tips for dancers

    Dancers: This video (above) features four distinct dance styles, from Golden Age musical theater to commercial dance, all choreographed by Nazareth musical theater dance professor Jeff Shade. In addition to giving you an idea of the type of dance we do at Nazareth University, we would love for you to borrow the ideas from these videos in your prescreen dances. Notice the montage of unique tricks at the end of the video; if you see any that you can do, incorporate them into your dance as well!