Musical Theatre Audition Information

Musical Theatre Common Prescreen Update

Due to the recent changes to the audition requirements, Texas State will accept prescreen materials that adhere to the new (2023-2024) and former MTCP criteria (2022-2023). 

Updated as of 9/5/23  

How to Apply

Deadline for Fall 2024: November 19, 2023

STEP ONE: Apply to the university through Undergraduate Admissions. Declare your major as “Pre-Theatre.”

Cast of Texas State's Legally Blonde

We recommend that you apply to the Musical Theatre Program within a week of submitting your application to the university. You must have completed your application to the university BEFORE we can schedule a callback.

We request you also apply to the Honors College upon acceptance into the university if you meet the following criteria:

  • Top 10 percent of your high school graduating class, or
  • A composite score of 27 on the ACT, or
  • A composite score of 1270 or higher on SAT (math and critical reading scores added). Visit the Honor's College for more information.

STEP TWO: Apply to the Musical Theatre Program

Texas State's A Chorus Line actress center stage

All materials and applications will be submitted through GetAcceptd. Begin your application process at GetAcceptd.

Application Requirements

  • Application
  • Application fee
  • Headshot and resume
  • Desired callback date and location
  • Acting/singing and dance video pre-screen (see details below)
  • A Wildcard video (see details below)
  • Written personal introduction*
  • Two letters of recommendation

Please note - Letters you send to Undergraduate Admissions are not shared with us.

Step 1: Apply to the university

STEP TWO: Apply to the Program

Prescreen Audition Information

Deadline for Fall 2024: November 19, 2023

Texas State University is a participant in the 2023-2024 Musical Theatre Common Prescreen.

For the 2023/2024 Audition Cycle, MTCP has included a list of helpful hints. We strongly encourage that you 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. 

Please be sure to visit the Resources and FAQ section of the GetAcceptd MTCP website!


Overall: 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.).

  • 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. (Read through the resources page for examples of each of the three slates described below).

    • 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.
  • 2. SONGS (Students may select either Option A or B)

    • Students should prepare two contrasting pieces. Applicants may choose from either Option A or Option B when submitting a prescreen for Texas State.

      • 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.
      • Length: 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).
      • Accompaniment: Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre -recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning singing without music).

       

      • One song should be written before 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.
      • 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).
      • Both songs should be from contemporary musicals (any musical written after 1970) and contrast in style (“ballad” and “uptempo”).
      • 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).
  • Applicants must submit from Option A when submitting a prescreen for Texas State.

    • Monologues must be from a published play.
    • Monologues cannot be from musicals.
    • Each monologue 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).

    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 frame.
  • 4. DANCE

    • Students may be asked to execute one or both of the following options.

      • 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.

      Applicants must submit a Dance submission when submitting a prescreen for Texas State, they may also opt to submit an optional ballet piece.

      • 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, check to see if the auditioning program offers the optional “Ballet Submission” which is listed below.
      • 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 it 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.
      • Ballet Media should be no more than 60 seconds.
      • Execute a brief series of plié, tendu, and grande battement;
      • Execute pirouette en déhors (to both sides)
      • Execute one or more grand jeté across the floor.
    • Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
    • Applicants do not need to slate in any wild card media.
    • This media can be ANYTHING you want - a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passionate speech, an instrument you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”

    Please visit MTCP’s website for more information.

  • Our written introduction gives us the opportunity to get to know you, but it also is an opportunity to see if you take direction and actually answer the questions asked (you’d be surprised how many people don’t.) So much of what we do as artists is in the details, and the care with which you approach the requirements of this essay is essential to your success. We put a great deal of weight on the written introduction. In fact, it is the first thing we look at in an applicant’s profile. Please adhere to the requirements for the essay and answer all the questions listed below: 

    Requirements for Essay 

    • Your name must appear in the upper right corner of every page 
    • Line spacing must be double-spaced 
    • Margins need to be the “normal” setting of one inch (1”) at the top, bottom, left, and right 
    • Indent the first line of each paragraph 
    • All pages must be numbered
    • Essay length is 1,000 words or less
    • Font: Times New Roman, size 14
    • File submitted must be a PDF 

    Questions to Answer 

    • What do you feel is special and unique about you?
    • What do you feel your strengths and weaknesses are as a person and as an artist?
    • What are your other interests and hobbies not related to theatre?
    • What are your artistic interests outside of performing in musicals? (Writing, directing, composing music, plays, film, TV, etc.) 

    Helpful Hints: 

    • Be honest.
    • Don't feel you need to impress us or, conversely, be overly humble.
    • Don't waste time trying to figure out what you think we want to hear.
    • We are looking for 12 to 14 unique artists for the Musical Theatre BFA Program who know themselves and will benefit the most from what our program has to offer. 
  • You are required to provide two letters of recommendation. Your recommenders may upload this documentation via Acceptd or have these materials sent directly to the Department of Theatre and Dance at the following email address: theatreletters@txstate.edu. Your first and last name must be included in the subject line of the email. Please do not send recommendation letters to theatre@txstate.edu

Callback or rejection notifications will be made between November 20 - December 11, 2023.

Please note: Do not reply to the GetAcceptd email notification, you must log in to your account to reply.

You are required to apply to the university in addition to the program you are interested in (Musical Theatre or Acting). Both applications should be submitted at the same time. Before you can schedule and attend a callback your university application must be submitted.

When applying to the university please declare your major as Pre-Theatre. This should be your declared major if applying to any of the undergraduate degree programs within the Department of Theatre and Dance. A specific designation of Acting or Musical Theatre is automatically applied after offers are made and accepted.

APPLY NOW

2023-2024 Callback Information

Deadline for Fall 2024 Coming Soon!