Mapping the College Audition: College Deep Dive

In this College Deep Dive, Drama faculty member Kathleen McNenny from The Juilliard School and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss: What makes Juilliard unique compared to other acting programs The importance of students bringing their authentic selves into the audition room What Juilliard looks for when evaluating young and developing artists How Juilliard’s conservatory-style curriculum differs...

In this College Deep Dive Assistant Professor of Theater Arts at Drew University John DiResta and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss:  What type of student can thrive in a BA How a Drew student is prepared for life after college  The in’s and out’s of the admission process  How the Major and Minor works within the BA Theater Program  If you have any questions about the colleg...

In this College Deep Dive, Harry Castle the Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Boston University chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about:  The similarity and differences between the Acting BFA and BFA Theater Arts degrees  How BU implements an Acting focus into the curriculum and prioritizes developing your craft as an actor Exploring a minor outside of acting and a junior y...

In this College Deep Dive, Lisa Brescia the Chair of Performance at Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about:  How to be your own manager by building self-advocacy skills and making personalized outreach to agents from freshman year Training as a working artist in six-week summer intensives, professional summer stock, and a strong...

In this College Deep Dive Ithaca’s Associate Dean Gavin Mayer and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss;  What makes Ithaca’s program special  What type of student thrives at Ithaca The training structure as well as the time abroad  The importance of showcase and how it can be an extension of a student’s education If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel fre...

In this College Deep Dive the Head of Musical Theater at West Virginia University, Ryan Scoble and MTCA Director, Charlie Murphy Discuss: What kind of student WVU is looking for in an audition Life of a student on and off campus and the culture that their program cultivates  What type of student really thrives at WVU and the paths that are offered How WVU structures their showcase If you...

In this College Deep Dive Director of Musical Theater Studies, Beth Burrier, and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss:  What it means to be a Manhattanville student and what they look for in applicants The advantages of Manhattanville's location and the opportunities it provides students How "true joy" translates in an audition room Why understanding the type of college experience you want is...

In this College Deep Dive Sarah Wigley (Clinical Professor of Voice) and Lara Brooks (Clinical Assistant Professor of Voice) at UIUC and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy Discuss:  The in’s and out’s of UIUC’s unique program and BMA degree  What type of student UIUC’s program might be right for  Exploring what campus life might look like  Diving deeper into the audition process and...

In this College Deep Dive Wright State’s Head of Musical Theater Greg Hellems and Assistant Professor Ronvé O’Daniel and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy Discuss; The Wright State student  What it means to be a multi-hyphenate actor and how to hone those abilities  How Wright State’s program will grow and change along with the everchanging industry  What Wright State is looking for each...

In this College Deep Dive, Assistant Professor and Head of Musical Theatre at Ohio Northern University Tim McGarrigal and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy Discuss: ONU’s flexible curriculum How students balance their degrees, double majors, multiple minors etc.  How ONU prepares students to go out into the business after graduation  ONU’s emphasis on community If you have any questions about...

In this College Deep Dive, Dean Nolen the Associate Professor of Acting and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss:  🔴Texas Tech’s campus life and how it supports the arts 🔴What a day in the life as a student of Texas Tech looks like  🔴How important “the work” is as an actor and how Texas Tech supports that  🔴Generosity as an actor and what that means on and off the stage  If...

In this College Deep Dive Associate Professor and Chair of Performing Arts Deena J Conley and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy Discuss;  🔴 What makes the SUNY Cortland student 🔴 The landscape of showcases and how they are changing 🔴 Why liking your audition pieces is important 🔴 SUNY Cortland’s plans for the future and the program they want to build If you have any questions about the college...

In this College Deep Dive, Kim Shively, Associate Professor of Performing Arts at Elon University chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about:  🔴 The type of student an Elon Acting major is 🔴 Learning abroad in London 🔴 Diving deeper into what it means to study Meisner 🔴 The in’s and outs of the Elon acting audition process  If you have any questions about the college audition proc...

In this College Deep Dive, Erin Degner the Associate Professor of Theatre Arts and Head of the BFA Musical Theatre Program chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about:  Kindness counts, not as a strategy, but as a reflection of who you are Trust can feel more accessible than calm or confidence and serves as a powerful antidote to anxiety Direct industry connections often prove more effectiv...

In this College Deep Dive, Christianne Roll, Musical Theatre Program Coordinator at FSC and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss; 🔴What it means to be a Florida Southern student 🔴FSC’s strong vocal education 🔴What the people behind the table at FSC are looking for 🔴A theater career after college and cruise ship stories If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to...

In this College Deep Dive, we welcome Amanda Flynn the Program Head of Musical Theater at Pace University. Amanda Flynn is a former MTCA Vocal Tech Coach and has represented Pace University at MTCA’s Junior Intensive for the past two years! Amanda and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy chat about:  How Pace supports professional work while still valuing graduation What a NYC “city campus” really me...

In this College Deep Dive, Joseph Domencic the Associate Professor of Musical Theatre and Theatre at Seton Hill University chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about:  Seton Hill’s superpower: individualized training—using a liberal arts model to tailor each student’s path, not force a single mold  Why emerging programs can be powerful creative launchpads, offering real mentorship and...

In this College Deep Dive, Bill Digneit the Department Head and Professor of Theatre & Dance at Northern Michigan University chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about:  How NMU is a place for adventurers Finding your best fit of school comes clear through auditions and conversations with current students. The benefits and tradeoffs of curricular freedom  Entrepreneurial mindset: From...

In this College Deep Dive, Julio Agustin Matos the Artistic Manager of Musical Theatre at Texas Woman’s University chats about MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about:  Texas Woman’s MT program is a brand-new, forward-looking Bachelor of Music that feels more like a BFA. Emerging programs can be hidden gems — it’s all about the right fit, not the label. Seeking students who are strong musicians an...

In this College Deep Dive, Ryan Kasparzcak the Head of Montclair’s Theatre and Dance and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss:  Candid look at their MT program, dance expectations, and admissions approach. Leading with your spark, and aiming for a little better every day. Flexibility within a conservatory-style BFA and how Montclair evaluates auditions. Real talk on waitlists, relationship-bu...

In this College Deep Dive, Jonathan Shandell and Kathryn Petersen the Co-Program Director of Theater at Arcadia University chat with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about:  Where do you want to live on the Acting to MT spectrum? A reminder that the process isn’t so binary!  Higher Education is shifting with new “experience-based” learning like study abroad & summer programs. Choose a school...

In this College Deep Dive, Michael Campayno — Carnegie Mellon grad, former MTCA coach, and now Director of Musical Theatre at Point Park University — joins MTCA Director Charlie Murphy to discuss: How Point Park is shifting its focus and leaning more into acting while honoring its strong dance roots Don’t try to get into every school:Be your authentic self so you get into the right school  Co...

In this College Deep Dive, Jennifer Hemphill, the new Music Theater Director at Baldwin Wallace University and Charlie Murphy, Director of MTCA chat about: How Jennifer’s leadership is shaping a new chapter in the program’s curriculum Faculty checking social media and your digital footprint  How BW is focusing on students who value process over product “Match or Beat” mindset — schools want to wor...

In this College Deep Dive, Joel Ferrell, a Professor of Practice in Theatre and Inaugural Director of the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre at Southern Methodist University chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy.  Building a Musical Theater program on top of an already established Acting program The power of chutzpah: cultivating artists who will challenge with a real point of view. Confidence...

In this College Deep Dive, James Beaudry the Clinical Assistant Professor of Music Theatre, Director of Undergraduate Studies for University At Buffalo’s Dept. of Theatre and Dance and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss:  🔴 The growing musical theatre program 🔴 University At Buffalo’s culture  🔴Body and mind connectedness  🔴The importance of a personal statement  If you have any questions ab...