Deadline for registration to participate in the Musical Theatre Intensive is December 15, 2026. 

** NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. If you are unsure if your registration has been completed, please contact MTI Coordinator, Kristen Beth Ludwig. (krludwig@nmu.edu) ** 

The first 120 Vocalist applicants will be guaranteed audition slots.  

All other applicants will be placed on a waiting list. The MTI Coordinator will do their best to accommodate as many applicants as possible in the time allowed.

All applicants must register for the festival in order to participate.  

  

Preliminary Round:

Approximately 16-32 bars (time limit of ninety-second maximum)

• All Vocalist auditions are held in-person on Wednesday.  As indicated above, this initial submission should be approximately 32 bars and no longer than 90 seconds of material not including the vocalist’s introduction of themselves and their material. 
• Vocalists should state their name, the title of the song, and the production it is from prior to singing their selection. Students should NOT indicate the school they attend at any time.
• Singers must bring printed sheet music to be played by the provided accompanist.  Sheet music must be: in the correct key, clearly marked with any accompanist notes, and not cutting off any necessary bass line notes, key signatures or other musical markings, in a binder. Sheet protectors are encouraged.
• No acapella auditions or auditions with tracks will be considered. 
• Material may come from the musical theatre canon or may be musical theatre-adjacent.
• Respondents will select approximately 30-40 semi-finalists based on Objectives & Storytelling, Acting & Vocal Choices, and Vocal Acuity.
• The Semi-Finalists will be announced Wednesday. 

 

Semi-Final Round

Two contrasting 16-32 bar cuts (time limit of 4 minutes total)

• The Semi-Final Round will be held on Thursday.  As indicated above, this Semi-Final round should be two contrasting 16-32 bar cuts (time limit of 4 minutes total not including the vocalist’s introduction of themselves and their material). One of the selections should be the vocalist’s selection from the Preliminary Round.
  • NOTE: Vocal Finalists are expected to know both of their song choices in their entirety.
• Vocalists should state their name, the title of the song, and the production it is from prior to singing their selection. Students should NOT indicate the school they attend at any time.
• Singers must bring printed sheet music to be played by the provided accompanist.  Sheet music must be: in the correct key, clearly marked with any accompanist notes, and not cutting off any necessary bass line notes, key signatures or other musical markings, in a binder. Sheet protectors are encouraged.
• No acapella auditions or auditions with tracks will be considered. 
• Material may come from the musical theatre canon or may be musical theatre-adjacent.
• Respondents will select approximately 16-20 finalists based on Objectives & Storytelling, Acting & Vocal Choices, and Vocal Acuity.
• The Finalists will be announced Thursday evening.  Non-advancing students will receive group and individual feedback from this round as time allows.

 

Final Round

Full song (time limit of 4 minutes total)

• The Final Round coachings will be held on Friday in advance of the Showcase performance on Saturday.  As indicated above, this Semi-Final round should be one full song (time limit of 4 minutes total not including the vocalist’s introduction of themselves and their material).  This selection must be one of the songs utilized in the Semi-Final round and will be determined by the MTI Guest Artists.
  • NOTE: Finalists are expected to know both of their song choices in their entirety.
• Singers will give a copy of their entire song to the accompanist during the final round of coaching. It must be printed sheet music in the correct key, clearly marked with any accompanist notes, and not cutting off any necessary bass line notes, key signatures or other musical markings. Sheet protectors are encouraged.
• Material may come from the musical theatre canon or may be musical theatre-adjacent.
• Through the Open Jar Partnership, one participant will be awarded a $500 cash award (or $1000 Open Jar Institute Scholarship).  This award will be announced at the closing ceremonies.

Deadline for registration to participate in the Musical Theatre Intensive is December 15, 2026. Auditions are open for all who register in advance (up to a maximum of 50), and will take place on Wednesday. All dancers are required to stay for the entire audition time.  Dance experience is required.  All applicants must register for the festival in order to participate.  

** NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. If you are unsure if your registration has been completed, please contact MTI Coordinator, Kristen Beth Ludwig. (krludwig@nmu.edu) **

The festival process for this event will work as follows:

• On Wednesday, DANCE participants will be taught a(n) audition combination(s). 
  • NOTE: This initial audition MAY take place Tuesday evening (January 5, 2027). The full schedule is still being finalized.
• Finalists will be announced Wednesday evening.
• On Thursday and Friday, MTI Dance Finalists will learn combinations to perform at Saturday’s MTI Finalist Showcase.
  • Some of these rehearsals MAY take place in the evenings, so please plan accordingly with your other Festival commitments.
• Any KCACTF eligible student may register for an audition (use application form below).
• Students must also wear proper dance attire for the audition.
• Please bring a variety of dance shoes in order to execute a variety of styles.
• For the performance, students will be asked to wear all black dance clothes.  Please come to the Festival prepared for that as well.