Hello all! I’m a member of the BFA Musical Theatre Class of 2020 for the University of Miami. I’ve realized how little we truly have about our programs online, so I wanted to offer my help to anyone considering auditioning for UM. I would highly, highly recommend auditioning for UM! I can honestly say that my Miami audition at Chicago Unifieds last year was one of the highlights of my auditioning journey. It’s a lovely, small program focused on acting and singing. My class is abnormally small at 13, but we shoot for a class of around 18. We are not allowed to audition for shows (of which there are four per year on the main stage and a few more in the studio theater) as freshmen, but after freshman year, we are guaranteed casting in at least one show per semester. The program is conservatory-style, but not strictly conservatory which is really neat. Our alumni include Joshua Henry of Hamilton Chicago, The Scottsboro Boys (Tony nom), and Violet (Tony nom) fame and Joey Barreiro who recently closed the national tour of Newsies as Jack Kelly among numerous others - these are just the two that popped into my head first, and we have a comprehensive list on our website.
University of Miami’s Theatre Arts Department is a wonderful training program that should most definitely be on your radar! I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. Go Canes!
Hello! thank you for posting I have been looking for info on the web about U of Miami MT program. Do they accept transfer students into a sohphomore standing? I’m from Florida, will have my A.A degree and some basic performing arts credits such as Acting 1, Music Theory, Choir etc. I’m not expecting those to transfer, but will I be able to complete the BFA in three years – has it been done before? If so, I have some more questions, but this is most important to me since I graduated high school in 2015 and don’t want to go another 4 years in a BFA program.
I think this is really on a case by case basis. I know we have a transfer who came into the sophomore class this year, but I know she transferred from a different BFA program. I think some of your credits may transfer, but it might be best to reach out to the department to ask this specific question!
Yes they do! I think the faculty can push for admission on behalf of a student they want in their program, but for the bulk of us, we have to get into the school academically on our own merits.
Hi @carrottopga I noticed you said the program focuses on acting and singing, but can you talk about the dance training? What styles of dance and how many days per week do you dance? Thanks!
@nodaybut2daymom We are not a very dance heavy program, but we can make it heavier. We have class twice a week for an hour and a half. The four main classes (Dance 1-4) are ballet and musical theatre styles based. Tap classes are offered a every other semester. On semesters where tap isn’t offered, we offer an additional style of dance that changes (river dancing, belly dancing, and bollywood have been offered I know). Our dance instructors will work with us to add classes to our schedules so that we can maximize our training!
Also, @nodaybut2daymom I have some friends who have found off campus dance classes at some dance institutes around Miami! We can really customize our dance training and supplement what we get in the classroom with additional resources. Hope this helps!
Hi @carrottopga, thanks so much for reaching out to us! My daughter enjoyed her audition and we all appreciated the students help and support while we were there! You were all so very nice and welcoming! Do you know when applicants will be notified for the program?
Hi @rpmjsmom! I am not quite sure when applicants will be notified. My class was notified last year starting right around now and going all the way until the end of the month. If I get any updated information, I’ll be sure to let you know.
@carrottopga thank you for your help my daughter loved her audition in chicago the best out of all schools. We are in the process of narrowing down schools right now we did well with acceptances. We are so excited about her acceptance into the U!!! But we know very little about the intensity of the program. We are planning to come for easter week to visit the campus and learn more. Our D wants a intense MT program with amazing dance classes.
Hi, @lincoln56! Our program is very intense. We have 20 credit hours of class which actually equates to around 30 hours in the classroom per week. Our program does seem to lean towards a heavier emphasis on acting and singing, but our dance instructors are top notch, and like I mentioned before, as students we can add more dance classes to get the most out of our training. Being in a city like Miami is great because we have tons of dance resources near us! I can’t wait to meet your daughter, and I hope she loves the U just as much as I do!!! Congratulations!
@carrottopga are there accepted student days for MT students? We will likely come and visit in early April and will plan around that if there are. I’ll call the department to find out but wondered if you know of anything like that.
Hi @Spike27! We do not have specific accepted student days for MT, but you can for sure schedule a visit any time to the department! You’ll be able to observe classes and have a current student show you around and talk to you about BFA MT life at UM. Congratulations, and we can’t wait to have you down here!! Let me know if you need anything!
@carrottopga hey! Thanks for starting this thread. I’m a prospective student trying to narrow down my college choice for this fall. Are musicals/plays open to non-Theatre majors? I would really love to come to Miami; I’ve already been accepted as a voice major in the music therapy program and would hate to give up my involvement in musical theatre. As it is right now, my ability to still be involved in school theatre may make or break my college choice. Thanks in advance!