Apply
To apply to the MDT program, you will need to submit an MDT application and three prescreening videos via SlideRoom by the submission date of December 1st, 2025. The audition committee will review the prescreening videos, and the top applicants will be invited via email to attend the live audition the last Saturday in January of the following year.
Click Here to Apply via Slideroom
(Application opens September 15, 2025)
AFTER you have uploaded your three videos and submitted your MDT application via SlideRoom, you need to verify that ALL of your application materials have been received by the Music Dance Theatre (MDT) program. To do this, please email: bfa_specialist@byu.edu. You will receive a reply telling you your application is complete -OR- what items you are missing.
Please note that acceptance into the MDT program is for the fall semester of the following year. For example, if you apply by the deadline in December 2025, you are seeking acceptance for Fall semester 2026.
MDT APPLICATION VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS:
Prescreen Video - Music
Please prepare two musical theatre excerpts that demonstrate classical/legit musical theatre (golden age) and contemporary mix/belt styles. One selection should be a ballad and one up-tempo. Applicants should choose music well-suited to their voice and interpretive capability (your emotional/acting connection is considered carefully in this part of the audition.) Maximum length of BOTH excerpts combined should be 3 minutes or less. Please DO NOT submit performance reels. Upload the video as instructed on SlideRoom.
Prescreen Video - Dance
For the Dance Prescreen Videos, applicants may submit the following
2 sequences. Sequence 1 is required for all MDT applicants. Sequence 2 is for more accomplished dancers who want to showcase their technical abilities.
Your videos should show your entire body from head to toe. Wear something similar to what the demonstrators are wearing in the videos.
Sequence 1 - Cinderella Dance Audition (Required for all applicants)
For this sequence, we want to give you a taste of what it is like auditioning for a musical production at Brigham Young University. This sequence is an example of the level and requirements of a typical dance call within the MDT program. It will take you through an artistic phrase as if you are in an audition for a production of Cinderella.
Film yourself performing the Cinderella Dance Audition to the “Waltz” music from Cinderella. An audio file containing the music can be found here (the sequence starts about 50 seconds into the song).
Click on the Sequence #1 video provided below to view step-by-step instructions on how to perform this phrase.
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Sequence 2 - Across the Floor (optional for advanced dancers)
The Across the Floor video will demonstrate your advanced technical skills. You will be performing the sequence to “Rock The Bells” by Boys Noize. An audio file containing the sequence music can be found here (the sequence starts about 37 seconds into the song).
Below are two videos, the first video is the instructions for Sequence #2, and the second video is an example with music.
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If you choose to submit both sequences, you will need to combine them into one video and upload the video as instructed on SlideRoom.
Sequence 3 - Dancer's Choice (Optional)
If you feel neither of these two sequences showcases your talents and skills, you may submit your own dance (no longer than 1 minute) in addition to the Sequence #1 and #2.
If you choose to submit a Dancer's Choice video, please combine this video with Sequence #1 and Sequence #2 into one video. Upload the video as instructed on SlideRoom.
Prescreen Video - Theatre
Please prepare two contrasting monologues from established play, musical or film scripts. One selection should be comedic; one should be serious/dramatic. Both selections should allow the student to reveal basic honesty and clarity of objectives. Please adhere to the following guidelines for the theatre monologue submissions:
- CONTEMPORARY MATERIAL ONLY. Absolutely no Shakespeare or material from other “classic/ancient” playwrights. Material should also be from the last 50 years and from published play scripts.
- APPROPRIATE TYPE ONLY. This means material you could reasonably perform in a production at this time given your age range, gender, nationality, etc. No dialect or accent material will be accepted.
- TWO MINUTE MAXIMUM LENGTH. Each monologue must be under two minutes each for a total of no more than four minutes combined for both monologues.
- CONVERSATIONAL, NOT “STORYTELLING” PIECES. Monologues recounting a past experience, or telling someone a story, are not acceptable.Monologues that incorporate a conversation with another person are best. Try looking for actual dialogue scenes and simply cutting out your partner’s lines.
- CLEARLY IDENTIFIABLE PARTNER. We will be looking to see if it seems as if you are actually communicating with another human, although the partner is not seen. This is essential.
- REAL AND NATURAL. Look for colloquial, everyday speech that is not overly bombastic or poetic in nature. Words you might actually use in your own daily conversation are best. Avoid reciting poetry.
- WE WANT TO SEE YOU IN THE WORK. Use material that allows us to see your honest emotions appropriate for the imaginary circumstances of the play.
- SLATE PROTOCOL. There is no need to “set the stage” before your monologues, tell the story of the play, or introduce the characters to us. Simply give us your name and what plays your monologues are from. Also, there is no need to say “scene” at the end of your selections. Simply say “thank you” when you are done.
Click here for Audition Tips Click here for MDT Application FAQs