Are song cycles an option for auditions? I was told that it’s part of the musical theatre genre, but am worried it won’t be acceptable for auditions.
My daughter sang one (“I Think that he Likes Me” from Kooman and Dimond) for her uptempo song. No one seemed to have a problem with it.
Some schools are known to prefer songs from book musicals (CCM, for example), but even those seem to make at least some exceptions when the song is very well done or when the song is a film song or “trunk” song (not used in a musical or movie) from a very well-known classic MT composer (Berlin, Porter, R&H, etc.)
I agree that in most cases, a song that is not from a book musical, but is by a MT composer, should be OK.
I recall even when my D auditioned for a BFA in Musical Theater program a while back, that for her pre-1960 song that some schools required, she sang a song by a famous MT composer, but the song had actually been written for a movie and not the stage. She had learned the song back when she was 9 years old and sang it in a MT revue show that was focused on that MT composer.
Also, while not the same as college auditions, but for my D’s college showcase, one of her songs was from a song cycle by a well known contemporary MT duo.
I know I sound like a broken record but check each school’s requirement carefully. Some schools are very specific about their requirements (in part, I feel, to see if students will follow direction!).
We’ve gone through all the requirements and none specifically say “no song cycles.” I understand when a standard MT song is required, but when they simply say contemporary MT piece, I wasn’t sure if that includes song cycles. Total newbie here…first post on this journey. My D is trying to get started as early as possible on choosing pieces junior year. She’s going to ArtsBridge, so hoping to get more answers from the staff there this summer.
I did ArtsBridge @type1mom It was the single best choice I ever made. The faculty will give her songs that fit HER very well and help her with them. Still good to bring in some great material though, because if they like it a lot (this happened to me with one piece) they’ll tell you to keep it 
And I do believe they gave out songs from Reviews. Not 100% sure though. I also did Mpulse and Brent Wagner said it was acceptable to use song cycles, but you just have to be very specific in your choices as there are none in the show to work off of. Break legs to your D!
My D is actually doing the acting program. Originally Gary Kline and Vicky Bussert were a part of both summer programs, but they had a change in faculty, adding a UNCSA and BoCo staff member to acting. Hoping she still gets to speak with Gary and Vicky though.