student performing a kick line in Cabaret

Musical Theatre Auditions

Individuals interested in enrolling in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre program at Kent State must participate in an audition. 

How to Audition for Fall 2024 Entry to the Musical Theatre Program

Individuals Auditioning for the First Time

There are two options for auditioning for Fall 2024 entry to the Musical Theatre program: in-person or live virtual.

In-Person Musical Theatre Audition Option

In-Person Option

Audition Dates: February 23-24, 2024, and March 1-2, 2024

In-person auditions will include a meet and greet, acting component, voice component, and dance component.

In-Person Acting Component

The candidate will prepare one contemporary monologue from a published play. The monologue must be memorized. Your monologue selection, combined with your vocal selections, should not exceed a total of three minutes.

In-Person Voice Component

The candidate will prepare two songs. Both songs must be from the standard musical theatre repertory and must represent a contrast of style, (i.e. one up-tempo and one ballad). Both must be memorized. Selections should not exceed thirty two bars. Vocal selections must be sung with accompaniment. A Cappella singing will not be permitted. Your vocal selections, combined with your monologue selection, should not exceed a total of three minutes.

In-Person Dance Component

Candidates will participate in a dance/movement call.

Proper Attire

All candidates are asked to dress in dance attire and bring ballet slippers and/or jazz shoes, if available. 

Audition Schedule 

In-Person auditions will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on February 23-24, 2024, and March 1-2, 2024. 

After completing the application, a time will be emailed to you for your audition.

Following individual auditions, applicants will attend a meet and greet at 4:00 p.m. and a dance call at 5:00 p.m.

Applicants will have approximately 3 minutes to present their monologue and vocal selections during the individual audition time.

 

Live Virtual Musical Theatre Audition Option

Pre-Screen Video

Prospective students who wish to audition for the Musical Theatre program must pass a pre-screen before they can sign-up for a live virtual audition. The pre-screen submission process is outlined in the audition portal of your Kent State application. Video submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis through February 1, 2024 for Fall semester. Applicants will be notified whether they are called back for a final audition. 

Please note: A pre-screen audition is only required for those participating in the live-virtual audition. If you are auditioning in-person, please do not submit a pre-screen video.

Acting Component for Pre-Screen Video

The candidate will prepare one contemporary monologue from a published play. The monologue must be memorized. Your monologue selection, combined with your vocal selections, should not exceed a total of three minutes.

Voice Component for Pre-Screen Video

The candidate will prepare two songs. Both songs must be from the standard musical theatre repertory and must represent a contrast of style, (i.e. one up-tempo and one ballad). Both must be memorized. Selections should not be an entire song. Thirty two bars are sufficient. Vocal selections must be sung with accompaniment. A Cappella submissions will not be accepted. Your vocal selections, combined with your monologue selection, should not exceed a total of three minutes.

Dance Component for Pre-Screen Video

If you have a dance reel you are encouraged to submit it with your songs and monologue. In addition, please upload the following basics. A video demonstrating these dance basics is at the link below.

Those who are accepted into the BFA Program and have advanced training will be asked to participate in an advanced level dance audition for placement purposes. This will happen once enrolled in the program.

Dance Basics Explanatory Video

  • Skill #1: A clean double pirouette on the right and left sides, either turned in or turned out, landing in any position.
     
  • Skill #2: A grand jeté on the right and left sides, with straight leg or through développé.
     
  • Skill #3: Pas de bourrée on the right and left sides.
     
  • Skill #4: Battement on the right and left sides.

Live Virtual Audition

Date:  Friday, March 1, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Students must pass the pre-screen before they can sign-up for a live virtual audition. 

Audition Schedule

Live Virtual auditions will take place and Friday, March 1, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Applicants who pass the pre-screen and move to the live virtual round will present one memorized monologue and two vocal selections. Applicants will have roughly 3 minutes to present their material during the individual audition time.

Register for Musical Theatre Audition

The School of Theatre and Dance uses Acceptd for musical theatre audition registration. If you are attending an in-person audition, prospective students are asked to register for an audition no later than 1 week prior to the audition date. The link to access Acceptd is below.  

Register for a Musical Theatre Audition

General Acceptd Instructions

  1. Click on the Acceptd link provided above. The link will take you to the Kent State College of the Arts landing page on Acceptd.
  2. On the left-hand side of the page under "Start An Application" select School of Theatre and Dance as the program group and select BFA Musical Theatre as the program.
  3. Read through the Guidelines and Click "Apply to BFA Musical Theatre."
  4. Create an Acceptd account as prompted or log in if you already have one.
  5. Complete the application as instructed.

Prior to applying, please be prepared to supply the following information:

  • Contact Information
  • Education History 
  • Vocal and Dance Training Histories
  • Vocal Selections for Audition
  • Monologue Selections for Audition
  • Previous Theatre Experience
  • Two letters of recommendation

Internal Musical Theatre Audition

INDIVIDUALS RE-AUDITIONING FOR MUSICAL THEATRE PROGRAM

If you have already auditioned for the BFA MT program, and plan to re-audition, please contact Gaye Blair at 330-672-0106 or gmorri3@kent.edu. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the BFA Theatre Program, please contact Terri Kent, Musical Theatre Coordinator, at tkent@kent.edu.

For more information about registering for an audition, please contact Gaye Blair at 330-672-0106 or gmorri3@kent.edu. 

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