Ball State's Musical Theatre Program

*ball state bill* · 07-11-2007, 03:55 PM

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and has an enrollment of approximately 18,000 students. Muncie is approximately 50 minutes to the north of Indianapolis. The Department of Theatre and Dance has 375 majors spread out over seven different educational options. These options are musical theatre, acting, dance, production (directing and stage management), theatre studies, theatre education, and design/technology. The musical theatre, acting, and dance programs all require an audition for entrance into the programs. The audition dates for the 2008 class are November 10th, February 15th, and March 1st.

The musical theatre program is a professional training program that is interested in employing students as musical theatre artisans in Broadway, off-Broadway, Regional, and touring productions. Each year, the musical theatre program accepts 18 students (generally 9 males and 9 females) into the freshman class. The Department offers a rigorous training program that features extensive couses in musicianship, voice training, sight singing, ensemble singing, musical theatre dance, jazz dance, tap dance, several courses in acting, voice and movement training for the actor, the singing actor, and several courses in the core theatre curriculum.

Ecah year, the Department produces two mainstage musicals. In addition, several studio musicals and cabaret opportunities also take place on a year to year basis. Over the past three years, musicals produced include URINETOWN, A NEW BRAIN, MILLIE

*ball state bill* · 07-11-2007, 04:50 PM

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and has an enrollment of approximately 18,000 students. Muncie is approximately 50 minutes to the north of Indianapolis. The Department of Theatre and Dance has 375 majors spread out over seven different educational options. These options are musical theatre, acting, dance, production (directing and stage management), theatre studies, theatre education, and design/technology. The musical theatre, acting, and dance programs all require an audition for entrance into the programs. The audition dates for the 2008 class are November 10th, February 15th, and March 1st. The auditions are for both admittance and scholarship consideration.

The musical theatre degree at BSU is a professional training program that is interested in employing students as musical theatre artisans in Broadway, off-Broadway, Regional, and touring productions. Each year, the musical theatre program accepts 18 students (generally 9 males and 9 females) into the freshman class. The Department offers a rigorous curriculum that features extensive courses in musicianship, voice training, sight singing, ensemble singing, musical theatre dance, jazz dance, tap dance, several courses in acting, voice and movement training for the actor, the singing actor, and additional courses in the core theatre curriculum.

Ecah year, the Department produces two mainstage musicals. In addition, several studio musicals and cabaret opportunities also take place on a year to year basis. Over the past three years, musicals produced include URINETOWN, A NEW BRAIN, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, WORKING, CABARET, ANYTHING GOES, BAT BOY, and THE WILD PARTY. In addition, the Department holds annual Showcases in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago every year. These Showcases are cast by professional Casting Directors from each city who select the students during the fall semester. Over the past five years, 85% of the students who have participated in the Showcase Program have either secured representation and or successfully relocated to NY, LA, or Chicago. The New York Showcase is cast by Stephanie Klapper, NY Casting Director.

The Department features 22 full time faculty, 8 adjunct faculty, and 6 staff members. All faculty members are active professionals within their given fields. Our alumni have been featured in Broadway shows (MILLIE, CHICAGO, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, among others), Broadway tours (HAIRSPRAY, CATS, CRAZY FOR YOU, DORA THE EXPLORER, CHICAGO, among others), and major Regional Theatres across the country. In addition, alums are often seen in movies, episodic television, and commercial work.

Starting with the class of 2008, the Department will feature both BFA and BA/BS programs. BFA programs will exist within the musical theatre, acting, and dance programs while all other areas will feature BA/BS curriculums. For additional information on Ball State, visit the webiste at <www.bsu.edu/theatre> or leave a question for me on the site and I will answer as soon as I can.

Good Luck!

Bill Jenkins, Department Chair

letscrshtheparty · 01-07-2008, 10:29 PM

Do you accept junior level transfers? If so, do they start at the freshman, sophomore, or junior level? Thank you!

*ball state bill* · 01-16-2008, 05:25 PM

We do accept transfers...the level is determined after the audition. Most f the time, they start at the sophomore level. Hope this helps.

Ball State Bill

gigicat · 01-21-2008, 10:45 PM

Does an out of state student have a much lower chance of admission than in in state student, regarding BFA in MT? Since you accept such a small number of students I was wondering if an out of stater should even apply.
Thanks!

emily1221 · 02-02-2008, 10:57 AM

I am auditioning for BSU's MT program and I am a little nervous. I have always been obsessed with theatre but I just started actually participating in musical theatre this year (I have done really terrible drama club plays in my high school). I love it but I am afraid that my lack of experience will be a problem. I have been told I have a great voice by my directors but I know it is what will need the most work. I think I will be okay with the dance portion although reading about how incredibly tough it is makes me a little nervous but I think i will be okay there. If anyone has any tips for me that would be great! I am sending in my application by the 8th so the sooner the better! Thanks so much.

Ninnynoddle · 02-02-2008, 02:39 PM

I'd reccommend getting in as many voice lessons as you can before your audition. Go over your pieces with them; they'll really help improve your performance!! Best of luck!

emily1221 · 02-02-2008, 05:06 PM

Thanks! I am having the choir instructor at my high school help me as much as she can before i go in to audition so hopefully i will nail it. ahh! I'm excited! lol

beernut0415 · 01-26-2009, 07:42 AM

Bill,

Lots of good info here. Am wondering now that you have the BFA MT in place, has this resulted in a greater number of applicants? As I recall from a prior post somewhere, you'd indicated that BSU typically accepted around 12-18 percent of applicants, which is restrictive but not as insanely restrictive as some of the other schools with more established programs.

CAST MOM · 02-06-2009, 09:24 AM

beernut, I am not Bill but my d auditioned at BSU last year (and is a current BFA MT student there) and I remember them telling us at her audition that they were experiencing record number of people auditioning. This is an amazing program and my d absolutely loves it. She feel extremely challenged and supported at the same time.

reneemarie · 05-26-2010, 12:56 AM

Do you require a classical monologue for MT auditions?

*ball state bill* · 07-06-2010, 01:05 AM

reneemarie,

No a classical monologue is not required...just two contrasting one minute monologues.

Hope this helps!

Ball State Bill

TexBlondie · 12-30-2010, 03:33 AM

Does Ball State have a presence at the Chicago Unifieds?

sberryfields · 12-30-2010, 11:35 AM

Yes: National Unified Auditions

jrayburn · 01-26-2011, 07:30 AM

My daughter is a freshman musical theatre major at Ball State. What an amazing experience she has had! She auditioned at a number of schools but felt that the education and performance options at Ball State were unique. Her entire audition and acceptance process was professional and personal. Once she was accepted, she has had top notch instruction in all areas of theatre including voice, dance, acting, sightsinging, aesthetics, and practicum work. She was so fortunate to be able to work individually as a freshman with Sutton Foster and will be participating in an original musical concert reading in a just a couple of weeks. There are a large number of productions at BSU including 2 musicals and several straight plays which are extraordinarily produced with quality acting, music, choreography, direction, and tech. There are also opportunities to perform in the community such as at the Muncie Civic Theatre where BSU faculty will occasionally participate in direction. The faculty is not only professionally trained and are experts in their fields but they are truly interested in each every one of their students. The students are given multiple opportunities to audition and perform but realize that they are there to learn and prepare for a career. I was able to attend Ohio Theatre Alliance auditions for summer stock this past weekend and found that the Ball State students were held in high regard and noted that many of the students received callbacks. Not only is this an excellent training program, but as a parent, I feel comfortable about the security and safety of my daughter at Ball State. The dorms are close to the majority of the classes and this is important especially in the winter. I cannot say enough about the wonderful educational experience that my daughter has as a Ball State Musical Theatre student. I would encourage students to audition here for musical theater!!!