Musical Theatre Workshop
July 5 – 25, 2026 | MPulse Summer Performing Arts
Three-Week Summer Program
The Musical Theatre Workshop is a comprehensive educational program that gives students the opportunity to work with faculty members of the renowned University of Michigan Department of Musical Theatre, as well as special industry guests, on the campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Musical Theatre Workshop enrolls approximately 40 students and is designed for rising seniors who are considering BFA degree programs in college. While the program is intended for rising seniors, rising juniors of extraordinary ability and experience are occasionally considered.
Areas of emphasis within the program include:
- Analysis of song lyrics, and the ways music informs the interpretation of the lyrics
- Acting techniques for songs, including contemporary and traditional repertoire
- Various dance styles, taught in daily dance classes
- Contemporary trends in musical theatre in New York City
- The vocabulary of the field
- Voice study, including stylistic approaches for pop songs and contemporary musical theatre songs
- Techniques for working on monologues and scenes
- Audition skills
- Musical theatre history
Institute Dates: July 5 – 25, 2026
Institute Tuition (including room & board): $5,990
Application Status: CLOSED
Non-Refundable Application Fee: $75
Priority Application Deadline:
January 16, 2026*
Priority Admissions Notification:
February 16, 2026
Application Deadline:
February 16, 2026*
Admissions Notification:
March 16, 2026
Application Fee Waivers
Review the qualifications and the documentation you will need to provide here: How can I apply for a fee waiver for my application? Qualified students/families will reach out to the Acceptd Support team to request a waiver code to waive the $75 application fee. Fill out this fee waiver form to request a code.
Program Sample Schedule
While schedules vary year-to-year, the 2025 schedule will provide insight into the programming provided.
Faculty
Cynthia Kortman Westphal
Professor of Musical Theatre, Chair of Musical Theatre Department, Institute Faculty Director
Rachel Hoffman
Guest Faculty Co-Director
Sean McKnight
Guest Faculty Co-Director
Cynthia Kortman Westphal
Professor of Musical Theatre, Chair of Musical Theatre Department, Institute Faculty Director
Cynthia Kortman Westphal is the Chair of Musical Theatre and the Arthur and Martha Hearron Endowed Professor of Musical Theatre. She has been on faculty with the Department of Musical Theatre since 2004. While on sabbatical in 2018-19, she music directed the first national tour of the Tony-winning production Come From Away, and conducted over 400 performances in 30 cities across the US and Canada. Broadway credits include The Lion King, where she was an original company member, associate music director, conductor, and keyboard player for seven years, and A Christmas Story (written by Oscar- and Tony-winning U-M musical theatre department graduates Benj Pasek and Justin Paul). She also conducted the first national tour of A Christmas Story and played keyboards for the show’s run at Madison Square Garden. Additional Broadway credits: Miss Saigon (keyboards) and The Gershwin’s Fascinating Rhythm (music supervisor, music director, conductor).
Rachel Hoffman
Guest Faculty Co-Director
Rachel Hoffman is a New York City-based Casting Director and has served as a guest instructor for the MPulse Musical Theatre Workshop since 2009. Her Broadway casting credits include MJ, Beetlejuice, Come From Away, Frozen, Diana, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, An American In Paris, First Date, Bring It On, and Memphis. Other NY credits include The Bedwetter (Atlantic), Guys & Dolls and Candide (Carnegie Hall), Bat Boy, Altar Boyz, and Godspell (2000 revival). Regionally she has cast projects for Williamstown Theatre Festival, New York Stage & Film, La Jolla Playhouse, The Goodman Theatre, The St. Louis Muny, Two River Theater, The Alliance Theatre, and the Paper Mill Playhouse. She is an adjunct faculty member at Ball State University and is the Director of Opportunity & Engagement for the Broadway Dreams Foundation. She is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Department.
Sean McKnight
Guest Faculty Co-Director
Sean McKnight is a talent agent with The Hybrid Agency, a New York-based boutique whose select roster of clients can not only be seen nightly on Broadway, tour, and stages across the world, but also in regular roles on TV and film. Prior to switching his focus to representation, Sean was a performer whose list of credits include the Broadway and/or National Tours of: Anything Goes, Shrek, A Christmas Story, Curtains, The Producers, 42nd Street, Cinderella, Annie Get Your Gun, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He appeared in numerous productions for City Center Encores! as well as the Kennedy Center productions of Ragtime, Carnival, and Mame. An Ovation! Award and LA Drama Critics Circle Award nominee for choreography, Mr. McKnight holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan and an MA in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship from The New School, where he also serves on the faculty.
Eligibility & Audition Requirements
Eligibility
The workshop is open to current high school juniors, although applications from current sophomores of exceptional ability and experience are considered. Admission decisions are based on a student’s application (including training and experience), recommendation, transcript, and audition. Applicants must have at least a B average in high school to be considered for the workshop.
Audition Video Requirements
Upload each of the following required selections as separate video files (guidelines below):
- Two voice audition pieces (two separate videos)
- Two acting audition pieces (two separate videos)
- Spoken personal statement (one video)
- Additional material(s) – optional (video)
Voice (two separate video files, one song per video)
- Applicants should upload two separate videos, each with a performance of a song from stage or film musical: One song per video, for a total of two songs and two videos
- Videos should be no longer than 90 seconds in length
- One song should be written before 1970
- At the beginning of each video, applicants should announce their name and the title of the song
- You may use live accompaniment (with the pianist in the room with you) or an instrumental track. There are many free instrumental track options available on YouTube and other online sources. Please avoid singing a cappella.
- Applicants should not accompany themselves on piano or guitar
Acting (two separate video files, one monologue per video)
- Upload two separate videos of short monologues: One monologue per video, for a total of two monologues and two videos
- Monologues should be from a full-length American play written after 1935, memorized, and in context of the full play. Applicants should avoid dialects.
- Monologues should be no longer than one and a half minutes in length
- At the beginning of each video, applicants should announce the title of the play, the playwright, and the character who speaks the monologue
Personal Statement (one video file)
Record and upload a personal statement video. Below are two questions for your personal statement. Please answer the required question. If time allows, you are also welcome to answer the optional question. The personal statement video should not exceed two minutes.
Required: What is an impactful experience in music, theatre, musical theatre or dance that helped convince you that the field of performing arts is something you want to pursue?
Optional: How did you become interested in attending the MPulse Musical Theatre Workshop, and why would you like to participate in the program?
If you do not include the personal statement, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed for consideration.
Additional Material (optional video files): If you would like to include recorded selections from stage performances, upload these after the required materials. If you have any dance experience, you may also include performance excerpts.
Video Guidelines: In all video submission uploads, make sure that your face is clearly visible, with your upper body fairly near the camera and the background simple, uncluttered, and not too bright (e.g., in front of a window). Announce your name and the title of each selection in each video.
Audition Document Requirements (guidelines below)
- Resume
- Headshot
- Transcript
- Letter(s) of Recommendation
Resume
- Upload a copy of your resume, giving details of your training and/or experience in music, theatre, and dance
- Please include any choir experience you’ve had and the length of time you participated
- List any instruments that you play and the length of study
- Please be sure that your resume upload is in PDF file format. Any other file types will not be supported.
Headshot
- One close-up color headshot. This does not need to be professionally taken. Applicants are welcome to take a headshot using their camera phone. Do your best to find a neutral and uncluttered background with good light. Senior photos are also welcome.
Transcript (Note: Applicants must have at least a B average to be considered for the workshop.)
- Upload a copy of your unofficial transcript acquired from your high school
- The transcript may be scanned and uploaded by the applicant
- To obtain your transcript, please speak with your school guidance counselor, who may either provide you with the transcript to scan and upload, or they may send the transcript directly to [email protected] with the following subject line:
- Your Name — Transcripts for MPulse Musical Theatre Workshop
Recommendation Letter(s)
Applicants must submit one teacher evaluation (artistic teacher or mentor(s) preferred), academic teacher, or non-relative who can speak directly to the student’s academic aptitude, potential, and classroom performance. Applicants will need to provide the email address for their recommender via the Acceptd application platform. Recommenders will then privately submit their letters of recommendation via Acceptd.
Applicants may submit one additional recommendation for a total of two recommendations, but only one recommendation is required.
Please note – Your recommender will not be prompted to submit your recommendation until you hit “submit” on your application. Please make sure your recommendation is also in by the deadline given above.
MPulse Scholarships
Merit Awards
A limited number of scholarships are available for extremely talented students based on Faculty discretion. Consideration for these scholarships is automatic for applications received by the priority application deadline.
Need-Based Awards
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $125,000 or under in the previous calendar year, or with special circumstances due to the pandemic. To be considered you must upload your financial aid materials by the application deadline as part of your application. This includes:
- Monthly Expenses
- Previous Year’s Tax Return
- Statement of Need
Watson Scholarship (For Michigan Residents Only)
In the spirit of the life of a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School (1942) and Michigan physician, the Watson A. Young Scholarship promotes academic excellence and college aspiration among students with financial need. These need-based scholarships support middle and high school students’ participation in summer opportunities at U-M that seek to develop students’ interests and abilities in academic disciplines and expose students to the experiences and possibilities provided by higher education. More information about the Watson Scholarship.
American Theatre Wing Scholarships
The American Theatre Wing is committed to fostering a future generation of theatre makers that reflects the diversity and dynamism of America as a whole. Through their Training Scholarships, the Wing is promoting diversity, equity, and access to the arts to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. Funding will go towards covering the costs associated with summer study and after school training programs for public middle and high school students who come from populations historically underrepresented in our industry; who demonstrate economic need, exceptional talent, and an interest in participating in after school training programs or intensive summer study programs to better prepare for future training at the university level.
Housing Accommodation Information
High school-aged participants are required to live on campus and stay in the Bursley Hall dormitory. Programs that include adult students (18+) may elect to live on campus, and will stay in the Baits II dormitory. Both buildings are on the University of Michigan’s North Campus and are a short walk from where most classes and events will be held. Participants should be aware of the following information regarding the dorms:
- Neither dormitory has air conditioning in the dorm rooms.
- Rooms are double occupancy. Bathrooms are shared between hall-mates in typical dorm style. Roommate requests can be submitted to [email protected].
- Linens / pillows / toiletries are not provided. Participants should be prepared to bring all necessary items to live in the dorms. The bed size is Twin-XL for purposes of securing bedsheets. Room & board are included in the price of tuition.
Meal Information
Participants will receive meals in Bursley Dining Hall located in Bursley Hall, a short walk down from Baits. Participants can access Bursley’s daily menu via the link provided.
Contact Us
MPulse Summer Performing Arts Institutes
Office of Engagement & Outreach-Youth & Adult Programs
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Stearns Building │ 2005 Baits Drive │ Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: 734-936-2660
Email: [email protected]
Emails and phone lines are monitored at the following times
Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm EST