Does anyone know musical theater programs with higher acceptance rates? I’m so scared that I’m not going to be accepted into a single college I like for musical theater. Preferably city schools on the east coast.
You need a plan B- just like every actor and performer in America! Whether the plan B is a degree in theater from a non-audition program, a degree in music education from your state flagship, etc. you need a safety school – have you invested time in figuring that out?
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I’d find easier to get into schools.
Here’s some - I don’t know their MT rates but no doubt there are schools out there not that difficult to get into. Perhaps even some without auditions.
But would they be worth it?
You need confidence in your abilities - especially in this career. Good luck.
Top 20 Musical Theatre Programs That Might Not Be On Your List But Should Be - The College Audition
Look at schools like Illinois Wesleyan and Knox college. Not on the East Coast but will help you develop your skills and have connections.
But… Have a back up plan. Most of my daughter’s friends that went to DePaul, Northwestern and known smaller school if not in some theater tech field are bartenders, nanny’s, etc. It’s really hard to actually “make it”. We do know some doing regional work pretty consistently and one kid that was in Hamilton but hundred more that aren’t.
Look at Pace and Marymount for starters. But be aware your up against students that come from pre professional high schools with musical theater tracks.
Good luck.
This isn’t east coast but Columbia college Chicago has a BA in musical theatre that does not require an audition. I’d check it out.
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Are you comfortable sharing your list? There are some easier admit acting programs in NYC, New School is one, where you could easily supplement outside of school for the MT part. Temple is a slightly easier admit as as manhattan Marymount
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Unfortunately, some of the schools mentioned here are not “less competitive” for MT admissions. Otterbein, listed in the link that tsbna44 shared above, has a class of about 8 for MT every year. Pace seeks to take 32 per year and has been an incredibly competitive admit for more than the last decade (although it may be a little different now since Amy Rogers is no longer chair of the program). Each of these programs see hundreds (if not 1000+) students in their prescreens and auditions.
The only safety schools in MT admissions are non-audition programs. Muhlenberg has a non-auditioned BA in Theatre (audition for scholarship only) and students can double major in music or in dance, or double minor in dance and music for MT training. Drew University in New Jersey might also be a good option for you - they have a non-auditioned BA in Theatre with a Musical Theatre minor.
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Muhlenberg is an excellent idea. So is Oberlin. They both have wonderful programs.
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Just a list I found - had a lot more schools on it than those.
I’m not an MT person - just looked for something on line - there’s not a lot.
But no doubt will be schools out there for the student - just maybe lesser known ones.
According to College Navigator, there are 125 4-year colleges with student housing that offer a major in musical theatre. They can’t all be super-selective.
I will say that having a Plan B (and C) is always a good idea.
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Check out the size of some of these programs before you make a judgement on selectivity.
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Some schools where you can study MT without an audition include:
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Augustana (IL): Offers a major in Theatre Arts with a concentration in MT, with no mention of an audition requirement.
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Averett (VA): There’s a BFA in musical theater, but there’s also a minor in MT available. The link to get admission requirements is broken, but it could be worth reaching out to the school.
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Loyola Chicago (IL): Any student doing a BA in dance, music, or theatre can also minor in MT. No audition requirement mentioned.
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Lycoming (PA ): Offers a major in Theatre with a concentration in MT, and no audition requirement is mentioned.
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Millikin (IL): In addition to its BFA, it offers a BA in Theatre (non-audition) and those students can still participate in the musicals, MT workshops, etc.
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North Central (IL): Offers a BA in Musical Theatre with no audition mentioned: Department of Theatre | North Central College
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Sarah Lawrence (NY): Offers an area of study in theatre which appears interdisciplinary with courses in songwriting for MT, singing workshop, dance, and there is also a separate music program. No audition mentioned.
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Xavier (OH): Offers a B.A. in Musical Theater with no audition mentioned Musical Theatre Major | Xavier University
Oh, I know that MT programs are generally extremely selective and difficult to get into, only accepting a small number of students, even if John Q. Public has never heard of the university. But with 125 colleges offering a major in MT, they’re not all on the list of Top/Most Popular MT programs to apply to.
Some of the schools above I found out about through CC archives. I verified the information as still being current if I linked them above, as not all the info in the threads is still true. But for people who don’t know about some of the schools, there are some positive comments about several of them:
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I think the difficulty here is the geographic limitation that the OP has posed - certainly there are less selective MT programs, but not many that are housed in “city schools on the east coast.” If OP can tell us if they’re comfortable with schools that are not in the NE or near to major metropolitan areas, I can certainly recommend some more programs.
Would something like a Five Towns College on Long Island be of interest, OP? I know their MT program is auditioned but less selective.
Outside of your desired geographic area, how about Drake’s BFA MT in Des Moines (also auditioned and less selective because it’s in Iowa - but at least Des Moines is a city)?
@AustenNut makes a great point that many schools with BFAs in MT or Acting also offer non-auditioned BAs in theatre (my alma mater, Viterbo University, did). Many of these schools offer minors in MT as well (Drake, for instance). As @helpingthekid73 said, are you comfortable sharing your list? Would you be comfortable attending a BA Theatre program at any of the schools on your list?
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You need to create a good mix of schools for your submission list. And you should be researching them now to see what and who they accepted this year to know if you might possibly be a good fit. You don’t have to be perfect to get an acceptance. Nobody expects that. What they want to see is potential AND they must have a need for you. They might love your audition, but already have three of you in their program (type, voice range, etc.). By creating a good mix of schools that include some reach, some not, some non-audition, you will have a better chance at finding the right program for you.
And here is a secret. EVERYBODY is afraid they won’t get accepted. I had a kid with no dance training get over 40 acceptances to great MT programs last year. And he was afraid also. It’s a lot of work, but if you want it — go for it!
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