Understanding the Audition Journey

Your College Curtain Call Awaits.

Your Audition Timeline

If you’re dreaming of majoring in the performing arts, the journey starts long before senior year. Each grade brings its own set of steps — from growing your skills and building confidence to preparing audition materials and understanding what colleges are really looking for. This timeline lays it all out clearly, year by year, so you (and the adults supporting you) can stay focused, organized, and ready for what’s ahead — both on stage and in the application process. Keep in mind that these are a suggested order of events where not all events need to be checked off. Scroll for a free printable version of our timeline complete with a notes section. Looking for audition requirements, prescreen tips, and song ideas? Explore our Musical Theatre Audition Resources. Your College Curtain Call Awaits.

🕒 The Timeline

Select your grade in each dropdown to explore our interactive stage-ready timeline.

Freshman Year

🎭 Fine Arts & Performance Checklist

Take this opportunity to explore (for free) all the fine arts and performing classes that will fit in your schedule. Fill your electives with art, dance, choir, band, and theatre.

Yes, we know that academics are important, but so are the arts!

Audition for all your high school plays, musicals, concerts, solo and ensembles, all-state choir or band, thespians, regional musical theatre awards, etc.

Keep your grades up! Schools still need academic acceptance — and great grades can help you get scholarships.

And… well… you have to pass to perform!

Reflect on your year and what you loved about each class.

Did an artform stand out that you’d love to continue? Maybe more than one?

If yes, keep taking those classes into your sophomore year.

Maybe sign up for private lessons or coaching in what you love or find challenging.

Research, audition for, and sign up for summer programs and intensives.

Limited number of spots
Have audition timelines
Popular programs have early deadlines
Cost can vary greatly
Usually hosted by universities

Start building and creating your resume.

Sophomore Year

🎓 Continuing Your Arts Journey

Continue taking the classes you love the most.

Continue to audition for all your high school plays, musicals, concerts, solo and ensembles, all-state choir or band, thespians, regional musical theater awards, local competitions, and summer stock theatre.

Continue to keep your grades up!

Continue to be reflective. What do you want to do?

Do you want to choose one performance artform to focus on beyond high school, or do you love them all?

Research, audition for, and sign up for summer programs and intensives.

Typically held through university programs
Limited number of spots
Have audition timelines
Very popular programs have very early audition deadlines
Cost can vary greatly

Junior Year

Junior & Senior Year Prep Checklist

Seek or continue training in one or all of the following disciplines:

Voice: Create a repertoire book, print sheet music to add to your binder
Acting: Start collecting monologues for comedic, dramatic, and Shakespearian works
Dance: Train in the dance style you are weakest, or train in all

Continue to audition for all your high school plays, musicals, concerts, solo and ensembles, all-state choir or band, all things thespians, select ensemble for your regional high school musical theater awards, local competitions, summer stock theatre, etc.

Research, audition for, and sign up for summer programs and intensives.

Typically held through university programs
Limited number of spots
Have audition timelines
Very popular programs have early audition deadlines
Cost can vary greatly
Audition-based programs typically post requirements in December

Click HERE for a list of programs.

If economically feasible, select a College Audition Coach / Preparatory Program.

Click HERE for a list of coaches.

(Optional for most performing arts programs, but may be required for scholarships or some institutions.)

Click HERE for a list of some audition events.

Summer Between Junior & Senior Year

College Application Checklist

Write your CommonApp essays
Click HERE for the new 2025–2026 CommonApp essay prompts

Research schools. For your top schools, write any additional essays that are required for each school.

Build a wide breadth list of schools tailored to your artistic skills & talents.

Reach schools
Close to home
Within the financial means of your family
Non-audition schools
Small schools / large schools
Small programs / large programs
Different degree offerings

Click HERE to compare different musical theatre school programs

Register for Audition Events – CAP / Moonifieds / PUA / Unifieds / etc. (No need to do all of them)
Click HERE for more info

Some programs require you to go through an audition coach
Unifieds usually require prescreen approval before scheduling auditions

Select your monologues
Click HERE for monologue libraries and guidance

Choreograph your dance prescreen (MT only)

Record your Wild Card.
Click HERE for ideas

Record all your prescreens.
Check out the prescreen tips and guidelines HERE

Get your headshots taken.
Click HERE for guidance

Update your resume. FREE downloadable template

Download a FREE spreadsheet to track schools, deadlines, auditions, cost of attendance, scholarships, etc.

Create a college application–only email for correspondence.
Make sure the handle is professional and includes your name.

Fall of Senior Year

🎭 Audition & College Application Checklist (Senior Year)

Apply academically through School Portal or Common App (limit is 20, leave space for group-audition schools).

Some students apply directly through each school to possibly waive application fees — email the school for details.

Submit your pre-recorded prescreens via Acceptd or the school’s own portal (typically September/October).

Schedule your auditions for schools that don’t use a prescreen process.

Track your prescreen responses in your spreadsheet (including waived ones). Click HERE for a FREE downloadable Audition Organization Template from CollegeMe.

Schedule final auditions as soon as you receive a prescreen pass — spots fill quickly.

Review scheduling tips for National Unifieds:

Not consortium-style — scheduling is tight
Dance call and song/monologue often on the same day
Register immediately when you get a prescreen pass
If time slots overlap, book anyway — check back often
Some schools list exact times, others give a block window
You can request beginning or end of time slot if needed
Walk-in slots may become available — check in at info tables

Select your audition songs — mark cuts you’ll perform.

Add songs to your repertoire book
Mark musical cuts and save recordings to playlist
A cappella usually not accepted
Prepare a pop song as backup
Have a few extra songs ready — some schools may ask for variety

Make travel accommodations once auditions are scheduled.

Attend auditions as scheduled.Click HERE for a list of event auditions

Create an audition bag with your binder, headshots, resumes, dance shoes, audition wardrobe, etc.

Print more than you need
Plan for 2–3 resumes and headshots per school
Bring extras for walk-ins

Communicate with college personnel — send thank-you notes and respond professionally.

Track all communication through your application spreadsheet.

If time permits, continue auditioning for high school plays, musicals, concerts, ensembles, and local programs.

Winter of Senior Year

📬 Final Steps: Decisions, Visits & Financial Aid

This is the hardest part… waiting for responses. Regularly check your email and school portals for updates.

Narrow your acceptances down to your top 3–5 schools (Feb–April)
If time and finances allow, visit campuses you haven’t seen yet
Look into “day in the life” experiences for your desired degree

Audit classes, take a tour, explore the dining hall and dorms, talk with current students, etc.

Apply for FAFSA — understand what your family can afford.

Look for scholarships — check local (city, county, school) and national sources.

Apply for scholarships.

Review financial aid packages offered by schools.
If needed, consider writing a financial aid appeal.

Accept all non-binding scholarships, even if you choose a different school.

Be mindful of scholarship acceptance deadlines — often earlier than May 1st.

Spring of Senior Year

🎓 Commitment, Gap Year & Celebration

Make final decision and commit to your best fit school

Pay your deposit to secure your spot before May 1st, or as soon as your decision is made

Not all schools require a deposit
Email the College Director your acceptance and commitment to the program

Release all your other school offers

Email the College Directors of your decision to attend another program, thanking them for their offer
- Remember to decline your acceptance in the portal

Perhaps release all schools and take a Gap Year

You can only qualify for incoming freshman scholarships once
A year may feel long, but by the time May rolls around there are only 3–4 short months before the new audition season begins.
- Take this time to sharpen your skills

Celebrate success in your personal audition process and college acceptance!

Thank those that have helped you along the way — parents, directors, coaches, etc.

Finally, take a deep breath, slow down, and enjoy the remaining part of your Senior year.

For a free downloadable and printable timeline, click the Print Here button below. This will take you to our Free Musical Theatre Resources Page where you can also find performance resume templates, audition organizers, and more.

Ready to compare musical theatre programs?