Audition Information

Applicants should be an incoming freshman or sophomore

The University application will request the documents below

• $65 University Application fee

• $65 Audition Fee

• Transcripts

• Essay response: Please discuss why you wish to study your program of choice in the College of the Arts at Montclair State. Be sure to include highlights of your experience related to your chosen academic program and how those experiences have shaped your current career goals.

• Resume of Performance Experience

• Headshot or 8×10 Color Photo

• Two Letters of Recommendation.  One must come from a teacher, director and/or other theater professional who can speak to your potential as a Musical Theatre major. Letter should evaluate your self-discipline, attitude, motivation, creativity and potential for success in the performing arts.

• After completing your University Application, please check your email for instructions on accessing your application portal.  Any additional required materials may be submitted there. 

• Use the SAME full name and email address that you used for you prescreen submission. This will make sure your application and audition link automatically. 

• You will not receive information regarding the outcome of your application if your submission materials are incomplete or you have not paid the audition fee. If an applicant is not accepted based on the pre-screen, they will receive an email letting them know and will not proceed with the full audition on campus or by Zoom.

Montclair State University is a participant in the Musical Theatre Common Prescreen.

The Common Prescreen criteria offers excellent detailed guidelines to help you look and sound your best. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of these resources which have been thoughtfully and intentionally crafted by the expertise of multiple programs nationwide.

Please be sure to visit the Resources and FAQ section of the GetAcceptd MTCP website!

Prescreen videos are required for on campus, virtual and Unified Auditions (NYC, Chicago, LA). All prescreen videos should be submitted as an “unlisted” YouTube or an accessible Vimeo link (we will NOT accept google drive links).

Please note, even though Montclair State follows the Common Prescreen set forth by Acceptd, you must upload your prescreen videos when you choose an audition day through Montclair State University’s Admissions Portal, not through Acceptd.

You must pay the $65 audition fee in order to receive your prescreen results.

Prescreen Details:

Prescreen Introduction "SLATE" Video

• Record one introduction "slate" video stating your name. If you would like to include your pronouns, state them as well. Please speak loudly (project your voice) and clearly (articulate) directly at the camera. This is an opportunity for the auditors to get a sense of your personality and to learn the pronunciation of your name.

• There is no need to slate your individual performance videos & pieces. Instead, clearly label each video with your name and the title of the piece you are performing (see more details below).

• This slate video should be no longer than 10 seconds.

Labeling Guidelines for All Videos

Label each video file with the piece you are performing, the show or playwright, and your first & last name.

• Title of Song – Musical/Show – Your First & Last Name

• Title of Play – Playwright – Your First & Last Name

• Slate – Your First & Last Name

• Wild Card – Your First & Last Name

• Dance – Your First & Last Name

Song Requirements

(Common Prescreen Option B)

• One musical theater song from any time period.

• One song of your choice from any time period and in any style that best suits you (musical theater, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.). This song should contrast the style of the first selection.

Monologue Requirements

(Common Prescreen Option A)

• One monologue from a published play or written by a professional writer. (A professional writer is someone whose plays have been produced, but may not have been professionally published.)

Dance Requirements

(Common Prescreen Option B)

• Show us your best version of choreographed dancing or moving.

Ballet Requirements

(Common Prescreen Option C)

• No ballet required.

Optional Wild Card Video

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?”

Below is a list of ideas that have been successful in the past:

• Singing or playing an original composition/song/poem or choreographed dance.

• Performing your own Saturday Night Live-styled skit where you create a comedic character

• Sharing a hobby or activity that means something to you

• Performing in a language other than English in which you are fluent

• Playing an instrument

• Making a “how-to” video on something you are good at, baking, calligraphy, gymnastics.

• If you are a dancer and want to show us a different style you excel in: Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet, etc.

The live audition is by invitation only after faculty review. Upon selection to a live audition (in person or virtual) please follow the guidelines below.

If you pass the initial audition (prescreen) we will invite you to attend a live audition of the day and location you intially chose when submitting your prescreen material. You will be notified of your prescreen results via our Montclair State University system. 

Live Audition On Campus:

1. Vocal/Acting Portion

• Two songs* cut to approximately 60 seconds each. Sing what you love and the music that speaks to you. Your song choices give us insight into who you are and the music that makes you shine. Ideally, choose at least one musical theatre song that demonstrates your skill with the form. A contrasting up-tempo with a ballad is preferred but there is no genre requirement. These can be the same songs you submitted for your prescreen.

• One 60 second contemporary monologue from a published play. 

*Please note that we will initially hear one song and one monologue and if we need to see more material, we may ask you to sing your second song.

2. Dance Portion

• The dance placement class will last for one hour. Clothing for class should be movement, athletic, or dance wear that allows for full range of movement. Ideally, something that is light, comfortable, form fitting, and allows for flexibility. Please wear the dance shoes in which you are most comfortable. Jazz or character shoes are preferred but sneakers are also acceptable.

Please bring a hard copy of your headshot and resume with you.

Live Audition Virtually On Zoom:

1. Vocal / Acting Portion

• Two songs* cut to approximately 60 seconds each. Sing what you love and the music that speaks to you. Your song choices give us insight into who you are and the music that makes you shine. Ideally, choose at least one musical theatre song that demonstrates your skill with the form. A contrasting up-tempo with a ballad is preferred but there is no genre requirement. These can be the same songs you submitted for your prescreen.

• One 60 second contemporary monologue from a published play. 

*Please note that we will initially hear one song and one monologue. We may ask for a second song from material you already have prepared and have backing tracks for, and you do not need to submit sheet music.

2. There is NO Dance Portion 

• We will refer to your prescreen dance submission 

3. Some Tech Hints

• We recommend logging in 10 minutes before your scheduled time. You’ll land in the virtual waiting room, and I’ll bring you in as soon as we’re ready.

• Please be sure your speaker is connected to the device playing your music, not the computer you’re using for Zoom. Your track should be loud enough for you to hear comfortably, but our priority is always hearing your voice clearly. There will not be a live dance call during the virtual audition — we’ll be reviewing your submitted dance video.

• If possible, we recommend auditioning on a computer, as tablets and smartphones can sometimes create technical hiccups. We want you focused on your work, not your tech. If you do plan to use a phone or tablet, a quick dress rehearsal ahead of time can help everything feel calm and stress-free on audition day.

• For best sound quality on Zoom, you may want to turn on Original Sound for Musicians in your Zoom audio settings and set background noise suppression to Low or Off. This helps prevent Zoom from cutting out sustained or higher notes. Here’s a short video tutorial if you’d like a quick walkthrough.

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Your application to the University should be completed and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions should be in receipt of all your required materials (such as application and audition fees, transcripts, and other items) before your audition. If your application is not complete, you will not receive the outcome of your audition. You can check the status of your application anytime at apply.montclair.edu/portal/admissions.

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For Partner Organizations (Pittsburgh Unifieds / Moonifieds / NY, Chicago, LA Unifieds):

Applicants who choose to audition through a Partner Organization must register online with BOTH the partner organization AND Montclair State University’s Admissions Portal.

Applicants must complete and submit an online application to Montclair State University before scheduling an audition through one of our Partner Organizations.

Please note, no prescreen required for Pittsburgh Unifieds 

Please reach out to mtauditions@montclair.edu for any questions or concerns