Mapping The College Audition: An MTCA Podcast

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 intention...

In this Artist Exploration, Marcus Crawford Guy a MTCA Song Coach MTCA and from AMC’s “Turn: Washington’s Spies” chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about:  How subtle quirks of timing can quietly reshape your path Learning to trust who you already are at your core Why the specific stories you tell (and choose to perform) reveal more than any list of traits Discovering the mindset and preparat...

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 unique sh...

In this Special 2025 Holiday Episode, Charlie discusses his monthly blog post "The Definitive, Ultimate, Universal, Top Ten List of Acting and Musical Theater Colleges" Subjectivity Statistics Personalization 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...

In this Artist Exploration, Britney Coleman, from the national tour of Company and Beetlejuice,  chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about:  🔴Britney’s journey into theater and majoring in musical theater 🔴Her experience with A Very Potter Musical 🔴Touring and making a role your own 🔴What it means to "bring yourself to an audition" If you have any questions about the college audition proce...

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 and pas...

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 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-buildin...

In this Artist Exploration, Sara Jean Ford from Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss:  Showing colleges “who you are” isn’t a gimmick Grow as an artist by letting instead of forcing Diversify your inputs—read plays, watch great work, listen widely Self-discovery is the real audition: knowing what you know, what you want to say, and the stories only you can t...

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 that lets...

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  Connect...

In this Artist Exploration, MTCA Alum and Carnegie Mellon graduate Molly Griggs (John Proctor Is The Villain) joins MTCA Director Charlie Murphy for a conversation about: Does the ease of Zoom make us more connected — or more naive as artists? The power of “I see you” — and learning to say it to ourselves. Be willing to be embarrassed — that’s where authenticity begins. Be bold enough to be ugly,...

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...

New Episode Alert: MTCA’s second-ever live pod from the Pittsburgh Unified's faculty Q&A — featuring 26 schools across 5 panels! Speed Dating College Edition! Hear the real people behind the programs — not just the websites. Remember: You’re auditioning them too. When it feels rushed, slow down — it’s your time. Be authentically you — let your quirks shine. Show genuine interest — a kind follow-up...

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 Artist Exploration, David Loud, Author of Facing the Music, chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy. Tune in for a conversation about careers, detours, and navigating your ever-changing “Point Z.” Musical Theater College Auditions (MTCA) is the leader in coaching acting and musical theater students through the college audition process and beyond with superlative results. MTCA has assembled...

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...

In this Artist Exploration, Conrad Ricamora (How to Get Away with Murder) and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss:  From tennis scholarship to stage & screen — mastering the “inner game” of performance Process over product: Walnut Street Theatre + MFA at UT shaped his craft Talent is universal, access is not — driving change through representation Launching The Right To Be There scholarship Remin...

In this College Deep Dive,  Tom Delbello the Co-head of Musical Theatre: Head of Production and New Works at Texas State and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss:  Shared leadership brings balance and collaboration. Texas State’s political climate Affordable tuition + hub auditions = great value  Even after an early audition, staying in touch builds relationships. If you have any questions about t...

In this Artist Exploration,  comedians Chanel Ali & Sarah Cooper chat with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about: Comedy, acting & social media: where the lines blur Sarah’s “contract with herself” at 16 Chanel on authenticity & true voice Bold risks + following your creative pull Check out Chanel in her off-Broadway debut in Relative Stranger at Soho Playhouse  If you have any questions about the co...

In this College Deep Dive Diane Timmerman Professor of Theatre and Department Chair and MTCA Director Charlie Murphy discuss:  🔴 Mixing and matching majors at Butler  🔴 Where Butler University excels  🔴 The benefits of being a multi-hyphenate actor  🔴 the desire to be open as an actor  If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecol...

In this Artist Exploration, Gerianne Perez from Broadway’s In Transit chat with MTCA Director Charlie about:  The importance of staying active + connected with your agent Balancing a side job while pursuing your craft How early exposure in NYC shapes your path Growing authentically + organically to find the right school fit If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to...

In this special LIVE podcast episode, MTCA Director Charlie Murphy sits down with MTCA alum Steven Telsey to discuss Steven’s journey through the college audition process and beyond—plus, they answer audience questions live during Summer Faculty Masterclass Week! If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com. If you’re...

In this College Deep Dive, Jennifer Engler the Department Chair and Professor of Theatre at Texas Christian University chats with MTCA Director about:  University-sized training in a small, close-knit setting just outside Dallas-Fort Wort Access to regional theatre and on-camera work—opportunities on and off campus Showcase options that fit your goals—open or closed  And yes… the “Nice” culture is...

Read the 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, or on Instagram or Facebook.  Follow Us!  Instagram: @mappingthecollegeaudition YouTube: @MTCA (M...