National Musical Theatre Competition - Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the eligibility and repertoire requirements for the National Musical Theatre Competition? The National Musical Theatre Competition is open to all musical theatre soloists age 20-28 as of the application deadline date. Eligibility and Repertoire Requirements are listed on the NMTC main page.
  
  
• How do I apply for the National Musical Theatre Competition? First, make sure that you can enter by viewing the Eligibility and Repertoire Requirements. Make sure that you have all of the following information about the three songs in your repertoire: Song Title, Song Character, Song Show, Song Composer/Lyricist, Song Key, and Song Length. If you are planning to submit for the online round you must complete your application by the published deadline date, but have approx. 30 days after the deadline date to upload your audition videos - see exact dates published online.
  
  
• Why is the National Musical Theatre Competition not open to high school students and those over 30? This year’s National Musical Theatre Competition is seeking out the best emerging musical theatre soloists, those who just need that one break to move their careers forward. 
  
  
• Is the National Musical Theatre Competition open to everyone worldwide? Yes, anyone in the world may apply. However, there are no travel stipends available for travel to the semifinal or final rounds.
  
  
• Are any travel arrangements covered for competitors? No travel costs are provided or reimbursed for competitors who need to travel to live auditions at any location.
  
  
• I have completed my application for the preliminary round at a live audition location. When will I be notified of the exact date, time, and location of my audition? Applicants will be sent a specific audition date and time, along with information about the audition location approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the live audition date(s).
  
  
• Will microphones for amplification be permitted at any level in the National Musical Theatre Competition? There will be no amplification available at live preliminary round auditions. The determination of whether there will be amplification offered to participants for the final round will be based on the size and acoustic quality of the room in which they occur. We recommend that you prepare selections as if there will be no amplification.
  
  
• Am I allowed to transpose the keys of my musical theatre repertoire? Published transpositions of musical theatre songs are permitted, but singers are expected to retain the composer's intended style of music and to convey the essence of the character portrayed in the larger work. Performances not fulfilling these requirements may result in lower scores from adjudicators.
  
  
• Will this competition’s adjudication be influenced by the style of singing’s matching or not matching that of each song’s original conception? Although we are not seeking to influence adjudication in one way or the other that you mention, in order to avoid highly segmented repertoire categories, we have put the responsibility on the performers to represent the breadth of their ability within their selections. In slang terms, they have to “Bring it!”
  
  
• How do I provide the adjudicators with my repertoire if I am selected for the semifinal and/or final rounds? Adjudicators will receive a list of the repertoire selections that you submitted on your online application. In the semifinal round, competitors will sing one selection of their choosing in its entirety, and adjudicators will then choose other selections (or portions of selections) for you to perform during the time limit. Chosen finalists will construct a program of their choosing within the time limit from the repertoire list submitted on the application.

Video Submission Guidelines