University Of Michigan BFA Acting Acceptance Rate

Last Updated on January 15, 2023

Ever year more and more students seek out information regarding the University of Michigan MFA acting and University of Michigan musical theatre admission policies. Yet each year more and more students end up on this website. This is a guide that tells you everything you need to know about the University of Michigan BFA acting acceptance rate and University of Michigan musical theatre application deadline so you don’t have to invest hours researching it for yourself.

The U-M School of Music was founded in 1880 and continues its tradition as one of the finest performing arts schools in the United States. Indeed, the school’s performance calendar features over 450 performances a year; however, in addition to the performance calendar, there are also many additional opportunities to participate is solo and small ensemble performances and various other ensembles in early music, electronic music, contemporary classical music, jazz and improvisation, and many eclectic styles of music such as Klezmer, mariachi, Japanese music, and Javanese gamelan.

Collegelearners is replete with up-to-date information on University of Michigan musical theatre requirements, University of Michigan acting alumni, University of Cincinnati musical theatre acceptance rate, and so much more. Kindly visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.

University Of Michigan BFA Acting

The Department of Theatre & Drama provides students with a stimulating blend of cultural diversity, intellectual rigor, and professional experience, all in an intimate and supportive atmosphere. The notable faculty comprises accomplished working professionals including actors, directors, designers, technicians, and published scholars. The program combines intense, conservatory-style training within the context of a liberal arts education at one of the nation’s leading research universities. Renowned for their breadth of experience, Michigan theatre alumni work on stage, on camera, and in all behind-the-scenes roles, and they boast one of the strongest and most supportive networks in the industry.

The program’s broad curriculum takes advantage of the University’s strengths and resources to provide students with an exemplary education. Students can pursue BFAs in performance (with concentrations in either acting or directing); design & production (with concentrations in scenic, costume, or lighting design, as well as stage management); or interarts performance—a unique practice that promotes the intersection of theatrical and visual art. The bachelor in theatre arts (BTA) provides a substantive theatre education within a liberal arts framework, which can be customized to fit each student’s unique goals and passions, including a minor in performing arts management.

Along with core studies, students can explore stage combat, clowning, acting for the camera, theatrical research, as well as diverse theatrical traditions from around the globe. SMTD encourages community connections, and theatre students can participate in numerous outreach programs, including the Prison Creative Arts Project, in which students and those impacted by the justice system collaborate artistically for mutual learning and growth. Additionally, specific department minors broaden knowledge and skills, and boost career options.

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Department of Theatre & Drama

Designed for students to learn the craft of directing stage productions; the function of a director; and the relationships between a director and designers, stage managers, and actors. Students direct class projects, a senior project and plays for the student-run Basement Arts organization. An internship with a professional theater in your senior year or after graduation is encouraged. Directing majors seek directing as a career and may wish to pursue graduate study.

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance: Directing requires a minimum of 122 credits: coursework is 65% within SMTD and 35% within the liberal arts.

SMTD coursework to include:

  • Directing
  • Acting
  • Theatre History
  • Technical Theatre
  • Production Practicum
  • Movement and Voice
  • Stage Combat
  • Playwriting
  • Directing Project
  • Studio

Production opportunities abound in Theatre & Drama, and, with the program’s undergraduate focus, students gain onstage and backstage experience right away. Through the auspices of University Productions, SMTD presents 10 or more full-scale staged productions each year, and design & production majors also work on presentations in dance, opera, and musical theatre. In addition, multiple student-produced theatre companies provide students the chance to discover and explore different aspects of stagecraft, whether as actors, directors, designers, technicians, or playwrights.

Upon graduation, performance majors meet industry professionals in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles as participants in Senior Theatre Showcases. These all-important introductions to agents, managers, and casting directors provide a bridge from college to professional work and agency representation.

University Of Michigan BFA Acting Acceptance Rate

Although the U-M School of Music is certainly selective, the acceptance rate was 26% in 2015 according to U.S. News, which puts the school slightly more in reach compared to a school like the Curtis Institute of Music with acceptance rates typically below 5%.

The U-M School of Music lists the average academic standards of accepted students as follows: Average GPA 3.67, 4.0 GPA – 8.6%, Average SAT score 1945 (Critical Reading + Math + Writing), Average ACT score 29.

AMDA | BFA Music Theatre | Top Acting School in LA

How To Apply

Applicants must:

  • apply to U-M via the Common Application or Coalition Application (current U-M students should use the Cross-Campus Transfer Application) by December 1
  • Submit an SMTD Artistic Profile by December 1
  • Have all supplemental materials sent to the U-M Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Requirements for Pre-screening, Portfolio, and Auditions/Interviews

The audition/interview requirements are unique to each area of study and the menus below list all of the requirements for the program to which you are applying, including what you need to upload in your Artistic Profile if your program includes pre-screening or a portfolio. Pre-screening and audition requirements are the same for non-performance majors unless otherwise notated.

michigan musical theatre application deadline

All materials, including the Common Application or Coalition Application, Artistic Profile (with prescreening and portfolio materials if required), transcripts, and test scores* must be submitted in order for the review process to go forward.

October 15: Deadline for Winter term admission (see below), Dance applicants who want to audition on November 19, and Theatre Design & Production applicants who want to interview on December 3.

December 1: Deadline for all Fall 2022 programs

Additional Deadline Information

  • The December 1 deadline applies to all undergraduate applicants, including external and cross-campus transfer applicants. SMTD does not participate in Early Action.
  • All deadlines are for 11:59pm on the day listed for your local time. For example, applicants living in Chicago must submit no later than 11:59pm Central Time on December 1.

Winter Term Admission Policies & Procedures

Application and Artistic Profile Submissions are due October 15, and auditions/interview recordings are due by November 1. Please email [email protected] when you are ready to submit your required recordings.

SMTD Admissions is currently gathering information on what programs will accept applications for Winter 2022 admission. Those will be posted here in September of 2021.

The following programs do not accept Winter applications in any year:

  • BFA in Musical Theatre
  • BFA in Performing Arts Technology
  • BFA in Theatre Performance (Acting & Directing)
  • BM in Music & Technology
  • BS in Sound Engineering

university of michigan musical theatre tuition

Estimated Fall/Winter 2021-22

Estimated budgets reflect Office of Financial Aid research. Enrollment level, number of completed credits, major field of study, and housing options all determine individual costs. Estimated costs should help you plan your own college budget. Actual expenses will depend upon lifestyle and enrollment level.Full Time Undergraduate

Michigan Resident
(In-State)
Lower Division
(First-Year/Sophomore)
Upper Division
(Junior/Senior)
Tuition & Fees*:$16,178.38$18,208.38
Housing & Meals‡:$12,592$12,592
Books & Supplies:$1,048$1,048
Personal & Misc:$2,454$2,454
TOTAL:$32,272.38$34,302.38
Nonresidents
(Out-of-State)
Lower Division
(First-Year/Sophomore)
Upper Division
(Junior/Senior)
Tuition & Fees*:$53,232.38$56,962.38
Housing & Meals‡:$12,592$12,592
Books & Supplies:$1,048$1,048
Personal & Misc:$2,454$2,454
TOTAL:$69,326.38$73,056.38

Full Time Graduate

Michigan Resident (In-State)
Tuition & Fees*:$25,230.38
Housing & Meals‡:$16,998
Books & Supplies:$1,192
Personal & Misc:$6,574
TOTAL:$49,994.38
Nonresidents (Out-of-State)
Tuition & Fees*:$50,646.38
Housing & Meals‡:$16,998
Books & Supplies:$1,192
Personal & Misc:$6,574
TOTAL:$75,410.38
Theatre & Drama | U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance

Estimated Spring/Summer 2022

Undergraduate

Michigan Resident
(In-State)
Lower Division
(First-Year/Sophomore)
Upper Division
(Junior/Senior)
Tuition & Fees*:$8,089.19$9,104.19
Housing & Meals‡:$6,296$6,296
Books & Supplies:$524$524
Personal & Misc:$1,227$1,227
TOTAL:$16,136.19$17,151.19
Nonresidents
(Out-of-State)
Lower Division
(First-Year/Sophomore)
Upper Division
(Junior/Senior)
Tuition & Fees*:$26,616.19$28,481.19
Housing & Meals‡:$6,296$6,296
Books & Supplies:$524$524
Personal & Misc:$3,287$3,287
TOTAL:$36,723.19$38,588.19

* Tuition and fees listed are based on approved rates for the 2021-2022 academic year. Rates are approved each June by the U-M Board of Regents and estimated budgets are updated at that time. Tuition and fees may be higher or lower depending on a student’s program of study; these estimated budgets use information from the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.

Graduate

Michigan Resident (In-State)
Tuition & Fees*:$12,615.19
Housing & Meals‡:$8,499
Books & Supplies:$596
Personal & Misc:$3,287
TOTAL:$24,997.19
Nonresidents (Out-of-State)
Tuition & Fees*:$25,323.19
Housing & Meals‡:$8,499
Books & Supplies:$596
Personal & Misc:$3,287
TOTAL:$37,705.19

university of michigan musical theatre audition

Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre offers a MFA in Acting which prepares professional actors as well as future academicians. An audition and interview are required for acceptance into the program. No GRE required.

The Master of Fine Arts in Acting is designed as a terminal degree providing rigorous training in theatrical performance to students preparing for careers in the professional theatre and future academicians. Extensive training in voice, movement and acting provide a foundation for student’s development as both artist and educator. Given the program’s unique focus on preparing the artist as educator, an emphasis on the student as teacher is fundamental in most classes.

The MFA acting program at Michigan State University offers individualized and challenging advanced actor training. Intensive scene study and studio work cover a wide range of theatrical materials from the classics to contemporary. Training in voice and movement is an integral part of the program. All MFA students must complete at least six required “advisor-approved” performance credits (one per role) in order to receive the degree.

Acceptance into the program is contingent upon a completed application to the Michigan State University Graduate School as well as the successful completion of an audition/interview. All acting candidates must demonstrate their potential at either larger unified auditions or through an audition before the Acting/Directing faculty while visiting Michigan State University.

MSU offers numerous performance opportunities for graduates in one 3,700-seat concert auditorium, two 600-seat theaters (one thrust, one proscenium), one 200-seat arena theatre, one 150-seat studio theatre, one 70-seat studio theatre and the opportunity to perform in MSU’s popular outdoor Summer Circle Theatre. While casting is not guaranteed in Department productions, MFA Actors are required to perform in an “advisor-approved” project each semester. A performance based thesis role or project must be completed in the MFA Actors’ final year of study. We offer a variety of acting assistantships with very competitive stipend levels, and our graduate program works in tandem with a thriving undergraduate theatre program. Prior to graduation, MFA acting students will also receive exposure to the professional theatre world as well as academia.

All Master of Fine Arts Actors must audition for all departmental mainstage productions even though there are no guaranteed roles in these productions. If a student is not cast in a mainstage production, the MFA Actor must perform in an “advisor-approved” performance project. One exception to this casting policy is the master thesis role or project to be completed in the MFA Actor’s final year of study chosen in consultation with the student’s guidance committee.

Red Velvet' evokes a black actor who made history

MFA Actors will meet each semester with his/her chosen committee to evaluate the work over the semester and also complete performance juries at the end of each semester that showcase the actors’ work.

Curriculum

Acting (60 credits)
All of the following classes:

THR 801 Practicum: Acting (18 credits)
THR 804 Practicum: Voice (6 credits)
THR 805 Practicum: Movement (6 credits)
THR 830 Introduction to Graduate Studies (3 credits)
THR 831 Students in Theatre History (3 credits)

THR 832 Comparative Drama and Criticism (3 credits)
THR 834 Professional Aspects (3 credits)
THR 841 Advanced Directing Practices (3 credits)
THR 870 Collaborative Studio in Theatre (3 credits)
THR 894* Special Projects in Theatre (6 credits)

Electives approved by the student’s guidance committee: (7 credits)
*Students must enroll in 1 credit increments for Theatre 894. Each credit is associated with one of six major performance projects. Students must participate in production activities during each semester of enrollment in the program.

Assistantship Information

Each year the Department of Theatre sets aside a number of Graduate Assistantships for entering MFA students. In the current academic year, graduate assistants received a total financial package of at least $26,867 for a level 1, ½-time assistantship. This package includes a full tuition waiver (up to the 60 credits required) as well as the following benefits:

  • Medical and Dental Insurance
  • Annual Stipend of $15,000 – $15,500
  • Summer Support Fellowship (guaranteed one-time award) of $5,000 connected to working in our professional summer theatre
  • Travel Award (based on national presentation) of up to $1,000/year
  • Most MFA actors will have the chance to teach 12 classes while at MSU including acting studios, large lecture courses, online courses, and one class of your own design
  • Each semester you take two studio classes and one theatre studies course.
  • Access to our Equity partner, Williamston Theatre, a 2014 American Theatre Wing National Theatre Company
  • Option of showcase at graduation
  • Work with Stratford Theatre Festival artists
  • Opportunities to direct

College, University, and Departmental Fellowships are also available. Students recruited with assistantships may expect three years of support so long as they make satisfactory progress in their studies.

The Top 30 College Musical Theatre Programs for 2019-2020 — OnStage Blog

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