How to Audition & Apply

Learn How to Audition & Apply

Audition Dates
25/26 Season

Saturday, December 13, 2025

 Prescreen submission deadline is Nov. 29, 2025

Saturday, January 17, 2026
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Saturday, March 7, 2026

 Prescreen submission deadline for all three above dates is
December 13, 2025

All students are admitted into the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre by a prescreen audition and an in person audition. Entrance into the program is contingent upon acceptance into Indiana University. Application for admittance into Indiana University is separate from the audition process. If you plan to audition for our program and you wish to be considered for financial assistance of any kind, you must apply to the university by NOVEMBER 1, 2025.

Students applying to the B.F.A. program in musical theatre are encouraged to submit an application to Indiana University Admissions Office concurrently with their application to the B.F.A. program in musical theatre. However, while acceptance into the B.F.A. program ultimately depends on university admission, auditions may occur while the applicant's admission status is still pending and prescreen materials may be submitted anytime before the posted prescreen deadlines. 

When prompted to declare a major for the General Admissions application, please enter Musical Theatre from the list of majors. 

If you plan to pursue a major in voice through the Jacobs School of Music, but have a strong interest in musical theatre, you might consider pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.) degree.

Learn about the B.S.O.F.

Three steps to the audition & application process

To be invited to an audition day, you must first submit a prescreen audition through acceptd.com.

Please open an Acceptd account and apply following the instructions on acceptd.com. Your application will include a headshot and resume, high school transcript, an essay, and the prescreen videos.

Prescreen Submission Criteria

Indiana University Musical Theatre participants in the 2025-2026 Musical Theatre Common Prescreen

Songs

Students should prepare two contrasting pieces.

  • Option A from the MT Common Prescreen
    •  

Monologue

  • Option A from the MT Common Prescreen

Dance Video

  • Option A from the MT Common Prescreen

Wild Card Video (From MT Common Prescreen)

Think about the wild card section as an opportunity to show your personality or share something about you. 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?” 

Essay Question (*this is in addition to the university admissions essay)

Please answer the following questions in a one-page essay:

What work of literature, piece of art, real-life event or person, or movie do you think would make a good original musical, and what might this new musical have to say? What role might you see yourself playing in this production?

For this essay, please observe the following guidelines:

  • The essay must be a minimum of one page, double-spaced
  • If choosing a film to musicalize, the film may not be:
    • an existing musical (nor may any soundtrack music be used in the “new musical” version)
    • an animated movie featuring any songs that forward the story (Disney, etc.)
  • Be creative!
  • Expect to be asked questions about your essay during your in-person audition.

You must complete your General Admissions application to Indiana University. To be considered for merit scholarships, you should submit your application by November 1.

Early application is helpful in the audition process.

You can direct questions to Scott Hogsed, Musical Theatre B.F.A. Liaison (shogsed@iu.edu)

Audition Dates for 2025-2026

December 13, 2025
January 17, 2026
February 7, 2026
March 7, 2026

The audition day is both morning and afternoon. Upon the passing of the prescreen audition, specific audition times will be sent via an audition invitation. 

Audition day activities:

  • Check in will take place around 8:30 a.m. in the lobby of the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center.

Students:

  • Dance workshop (1 hour)
  • Acting workshop (1 hour)
  • Break
  • 7-minute individual audition

Parents:

  • Meeting with professors
  • Discussion of program requirements and opportunities
  • Break
  • Reconnect with students following individual auditions

Prospective students will begin the day with a dance workshop. This is an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency, potential, and personality. Please wear comfortable stretch clothing. There will be opportunity to change for the afternoon auditions.

An acting workshop will follow which will focus on basic ensemble work and improvisation.

After lunch, individual auditions will commence.

You are free to leave after your individual audition.