Musical Theatre

• Intensive classroom work in theatre theory and practice, along with personal experiences designed to develop theatre skills of the highest quality.
• Extensive practical production opportunities that develop student skills in performance, design and technology, stage management and theatre administration.
• Master class opportunities and guest artist visits to provide industry expertise and to allow students to build their professional network.
• A professional environment necessary for growth and development of our students, providing industry-like experience under the guidance of faculty and staff.

Theatre UCF typically produces 6 shows per year, which all BFA musical theatre majors are required to audition for, including Freshman. The first auditions typically occur the week before classes begin in August. Musical theatre students may also be cast in non-musical plays. Theatre UCF also produces a spring dance concert each year that many musical theatre students participate in. Theatre UCF also produces shows through Pegasus PlayLab in the summer, but students are not required to audition for those productions.

There are also opportunities to perform in student-produced work such as 10-minute play festivals, one-act festivals and improv groups. Musical theatre students are also required to complete a professional internship before they graduate to build their resume which can be done through regional theatre, summer stock, dinner theatres, theme parks and more. Students are also encouraged to audition for local community productions, however student must prioritize Theatre UCF roles over outside roles.

Musical theatre graduates have had success across the spectrum of performance, education and business. Many of our graduates have worked or are currently working on Broadway, in Broadway tours, regional theatre, television, film, theme parks, cruise lines and more. Some recent alumni who’ve done master classes for our current students include Jerusha Cavazos ’14 (Broadway: The Prom, Off Broadway: Between the Lines, TV: Atlanta, FBI), Cornelius Davis ’13 (National Tour: Aladdin), Abby Jaros ’14 (National Tour: Hamilton, Joseph.. .Dreamcoat).

No more than 16 students are accepted each year per NAST accreditation. There are at most 64 musical theatre majors in the department but there are more than 400 students studying theatre and music in the School of Performing Arts.

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, song title, and show in which it appears.
• The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, title of the play, and playwright.
• The proper slate for a piece of dance is to share your name, title of the song you are dancing to, and name of the choreographer. If the piece is “self-choreographed” you should share your own name as choreographer.

Students should prepare two contrasting pieces. Each institution is responsible for indicating which options are accepted.

• 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).

Universities may ask for one or either of the following song options. Check the individual university website to see which option is required:

Option A

• 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).

Students may be asked to prepare either one or two pieces. Each institution is responsible for indicating which options are accepted.

• 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).

Universities may ask for one or either of the following monologue options.  Check the individual university website to see which option is required:

Option A

• 1 contemporary monologue (typically written after 1950), 60-90 seconds in lengthThe 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.

Students may be asked to execute one or both of the following options. Each institution is responsible for indicating which options are accepted.

• 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.

Universities may ask for a required Dance option. Universities may offer an optional ballet submission:

Dance Option

• 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 Option

• 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.

Students may be asked to execute a “Wild Card” submission. Each institution is responsible for indicating whether the “Wild Card” is accepted.

• 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 passion speech, an instrument you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?” (See the resources page for ideas on Wild Card submissions)