Mapping The College Audition: An MTCA Podcast

In this special episode, MTCA Director Charlie Murphy interviews representatives from 23 different schools in a fast-paced, “speed dating” style format! If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com. If you’re interested in working with MTCA for help with your individualized preparation for your College Audition journe...

In this Artist Exploration Andrew Hovelson (Broadway’s Stranger Things) and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy Discuss:  Andrew’s journey with education through college and after What a sustainable career in acting can look like  The financial reality of being an actor  Self tapes and the control, or lack of it an actor has If you have any questions about the college audition process, fee...

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 Artist Episode the Greenway family and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss; How the Greenway’s made the decision to go through the college audition process a second time The importance of finding college programs that align with a student’s individual goals The difference in preparation for Jane the first time versus the second What worked for the Greenway’s both times throughout the proc...

In this College Deep Dive Assistant Professor of Theater Arts at Drew University 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 college audition pr...

In this Artist Exploration, composer, lyricist, and writer Ryan Scott Oliver and Tony Award winner Lindsay Mendez join MTCA Director Charlie Murphy for a conversation about: Rejections and how it can lead them to NYC and ultimately to successful careers in theater, education, and TV/film.  How specificity doesn’t limit your versatility. Building a career means more than landing the next show—...

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 MTCA Parent Pod episode, MTCA Director Charlie Murphy sits down with Lisa and Steven Frohlich, parents of Mia Frohlich, who is headed to USC for Musical Theatre! They dive into their family’s experience navigating the college audition process, including: When to step in and when to step back Observing your child to make smart choices around logistics, auditions, and opportunities Helping 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 Artist Exploration, Emma Flynn, an MTCA Alum and Glinda in Wicked chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about: Be yourself, trust your type, and bring your whole person into the room Grieve the setbacks, then release what you can’t control A "bad" audition story that will become her broadway debut! No school is perfect, but the one you choose becomes yours through the work, the mindset,...

In this Artist Exploration, we welcome Ali Louis Bourzgui an MTCA Alum, Ithaca Alum and the titular role of the upcoming revival of The Who’s Tommy. MTCA Director, Charlie Murphy and Ali discuss: Expectations of family members while auditioning Embracing the silliness of acting school Craving critique and finding openness Graduating during the pandemic Preparing for The Who’s Tommy Be sure to chec...

Tune in to the final audio blog of our summer break series! You can read the written blog on our website HERE! If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com. If you’re interested in working with MTCA for help with your individualized preparation for your College Audition journey, please check us out at mtca.com, or on...

Summer break is here! Listen as Charlie Murphy read one of his insightful blogs: Why Do I Even NEED Coaching? Can’t I do this on my own? Find written blog HERE! If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com. If you’re interested in working with MTCA for help with your individualized preparation for your College Auditio...

It's Summer Break!!! In this episode Charlie Murphy reads one of his blogs; Sharing, Not Hiding. Read Blog HERE ***** If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com. If you’re interested in working with MTCA for help with your individualized preparation for your College Audition journey, please check us out at mtca.com,...

In this special summer break episode MTCA Director Charlie Murphy reads his audio blog: A Tip to Chunk up your Process and Avoid Burnout: Start Where you Are, Use What You Have, Do What you Can!  You can find the written blog HERE! You can find the previous blog Charlie referenced HERE If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingtheco...

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 free to reach out...

In this special episode MTCA Director Charlie Murphy makes the trek to attend NMU's senior showcase and gives us a behind the scenes look! If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com. If you’re interested in working with MTCA for help with your individualized preparation for your College Audition journey, please chec...

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 have any...

If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com. If you’re interested in working with MTCA for help with your individualized preparation for your College Audition journey, please check us out at mtca.com, or on Instagram or Facebook.  Follow Us!  Instagram: @mappingthecollegeaudition YouTube: @MTCA (Musical Theater Colle...

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 esse...

In this Special Episode, MTCA Director Charlie Murphy attends Carnegie Mellon University’s 2026 Senior Showcase! Charlie gives us a behind-the-scenes peek at the showcase experience, along with student and teacher interviews, plus his final review! ***** If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com. If you’re interest...

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 what UIUC is looking...

In this Artist Episode Leenya Rideout (Broadway’s War Horse) and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss; Leenya’s musical background and journey through school  Leenya’s early career and her path to Broadway  Managing managers and agents  The exciting and rewarding experience of being in an Off-Broadway show If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mail...

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 year  If you h...

In this Artist Episode, MTCA Director Charlie Murphy chats with Adam Gwon, Michelle Noh, and Elizabeth Stanley about the making of a cast album from the perspectives of a composer, a producer, and a performer If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com. If you’re interested in working with MTCA for help with your ind...