REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

All applicants must additionally register for the festival.

See below for further information to self-nominate.

The Musical Theatre Intensive (MTI) celebrates outstanding musical theatre students from across Region 3.  Through in-person auditions and individualized feedback, the Musical Theatre Intensive (MTI) offers educational opportunities to work with musical theatre professionals. Finalists will participate in a showcase to be held at the end of the week.

Participants can participate in both the singing and dance portions of the Musical Theatre Intensive.

The Open Jar Institute will provide a Regional cash award and/or scholarship to one participant in each category (Vocalist and Dance).  The awardee from the Vocalist category will advance to the national festival in Washington, D.C.  All students who choose to audition may elect to be considered for additional scholarship money and other opportunities through the Open Jar Institute.

Review the Festival Process for Singers and Dancers below, then submit your audition request by following the instructions for How to Apply at the bottom of this page.  Students must additionally register for the festival in order to participate.

Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Morning – In-Person MTI Vocalist Auditions
Afternoon – In-Person MTI Dance Auditions

MTI Vocal Semi-Finalists and Dance Finalists Announced

 

Thursday, January 11, 2024
Morning – Semi-Finalist Auditions

Non-Semi Finalist Feedback Session

Afternoon – MTI Dance Finalists Rehearsal #1

MTI Vocal Finalists Announced

 

Friday, January 12, 2024
Morning – MTI Dance Finalists Rehearsal #2

Non-Finalist Feedback Session

Afternoon – Vocal Finalist Coaching Session

Saturday, January 13, 2024
Morning – Tech/Dress Rehearsal – MTI Finalist Showcase

MTI Finalist Showcase Performance

Deadline for registration to participate in the Musical Theatre Intensive is December 15, 2023. 

 

The first 100 Vocalist applicants will be provided with audition slots.  

There will be a waiting list of 20 students in case applicants are unable to participate for any reason.

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.  No reflective sheet protectors please.
  • 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 32 semi-finalists based on a score created by rubric.  The rubric will be provided to all registrants after December 15.  Areas of consideration will include: Objectives & Storytelling, Acting & Vocal Choices, Vocal Acuity, and Connection.
  • The 32 Semi-Finalists will be announced Wednesday evening.  Non-advancing students will receive group feedback from this round the following day.

 

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). 
  • 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.  No reflective sheet protectors please.
  • 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 16 finalists based on a score created by rubric.  The rubric will be provided to all registrants after December 15.  Areas of consideration will include: Objectives & Storytelling, Acting & Vocal Choices, Vocal Acuity, and Connection.
  • The 16 Finalists will be announced Thursday evening.  Non-advancing students will receive group and individual feedback from this round the following day.

 

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. 
  • 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.  No reflective sheet protectors please.
  • No acapella auditions or auditions with tracks will be considered. 
  • 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, 2023. 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.  

The festival process for this event will work as follows:

  • On Wednesday, DANCE participants who have been accepted will be taught a(n) audition combination(s).  
  • Finalists will be announced Wednesday evening.
  • On Thursday and Friday, MTI Dance Finalists will learn combinations to perform at Saturday’s MTI Finalist Showcase.
  • 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.

 

Rachael Swartz

Rachael Swartz

MTI Coordinator

University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Assistant Professor
Coordinator of Musical Theatre
Theatre Department
900 Wood Rd
Kenosha, WI 53144

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