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Auditions & Portfolio Submissions
Admissions HomeAPPLICATION PROCESS
Welcome to Manhattanville’s Fine and Performing Arts Division application page. Should you need help, please email FPA@mville.edu and we will guide you through this process.
First, a completed application for admission to Manhattanville College is required. Once this is done, please register with the Division on the Acceptd.com web page. Click on the following link to get started with this process: https://app.getacceptd.com/mville.
Fine and Performing Arts degrees have different requirements for admission:
-B.A. in Music Business does not have an audition requirement but needs an Acceptd.com account to be created
-B.A. in Technical Theatre does not have an audition requirement but needs an Acceptd.com account to be created
-Studio Arts requires a portfolio but not a formal audition
-All other degrees require an audition. You can schedule your audition through the Acceptd.com site
1. Dance Auditions
Bachelor of Arts in Dance
Minor in Dance (no audition required)
Students wishing to major in Dance or Theatre MUST audition in the spring of their Senior year of high school. Manhattanville prefers that all applicants within 100 miles of campus schedule an on-campus audition.
Location: Manhattanville College Berman Dance Studio - Berman Student Center Room 204
Audition Dates
*All auditions will be via Video Submissions
* If you are a current Manhattanville student and would like to audition to be a Dance major, please contact FPA@mville.edu
* Students do not need to audition to be a minor in Dance.
Audition Requirements for B.A. in Dance
To schedule an audition, please observe the following guidelines:
A completed application for admission to Manhattanville College is required.
Submit an audition application and schedule a time online through Acceptd. Upload the following documents to Acceptd:
- A dance resume detailing when, where, and how long you have trained, your performance experience and any other skills you may have
- Please include a headshot and/or photo.
- Letter of Interest
- Transcripts from most recent schooling
Dance Audition: Prepare a 2-minute dance piece. Modern, ballet, or jazz. It may be performed with or without music. Please bring your own recording. Choreography/choreographer is your choice. Wear clothing that is comfortable and appropriate for a dance audition.
2. Theatre Auditions
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
Bachelor of Arts in Technical Theatre (no audition required)
Minor in Theatre (no audition required)
Manhattanville prefers that all applicants within 100 miles of campus schedule an on-campus audition.
Location: Manhattanville College Berman Dance Studio - Berman Student Center Room 204
Audition Dates:
*All auditions will be via Video Submissions
* If you are a current Manhattanville student and would like to audition to be a Theatre major, please contact FPA@mville.edu
* Students do not need to audition to be a minor in Theatre.
Audition Requirements for B.A. in Theatre
To schedule an audition, please observe the following guidelines:
A completed application for admission to Manhattanville College is required.
Submit an audition application and schedule a time online through Acceptd. Upload the following documents to Acceptd:
- A theatre resume detailing when, where, and how long you have trained, your performance experience and any other skills you may have
- Please include a headshot and/or photo
- Letter of Interest
- Transcripts from most recent schooling
Theatre Audition: Prepare two contrasting monologues (one contemporary and one classical).
The two monologues should be no more than 3 minutes combined. One or both of them should involve strong physicality.
Admissions to the Theatre degree is based on your audition and your academic acceptance to Manhattanville College.
3. Dance and Theatre Combined Auditions
Bachelor of Arts in Dance & Theatre
Combined Dance and Theatre Audition: Prepare a 2-minute dance piece AND one monologue. The time for both the dance and the monologue should not exceed 4 minutes.
Admissions to the Dance & Theatre Department is based on your audition and your academic acceptance to Manhattanville College.
4. Music (and Musical Theatre) Auditions
Bachelor of Arts in Music
Bachelor of Arts in Music Business
Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre
Bachelor of Arts in Music Education
Bachelor of Arts in Music Education/Master of Arts in Teaching (5 years)
Master of Arts in Teaching
Advanced Certificate
Minor in Music (no audition required)
Manhattanville prefers that all applicants within 100 miles of campus schedule an on-campus audition.
Location: Manhattanville College Music Department. Check-In Room MU103
Audition Dates
*All auditions will be via Video Submissions
Undergraduate Auditions
The instrumental or vocal performance of three compositions from different periods of music is required. Pianists and vocalists must perform at least one work from memory.
B.A. in Music and B.Mus. in Music Education applicants must perform at least two works from the classical tradition.
Musical Theatre applicants must perform at least one work from the classical tradition; the other two pieces should come from different musical productions. Musical Theatre applicants must perform a short contemporary monologue from memory. Musical Theatre applicants should bring a performance resume and head shot to the audition.
Music Technology applicants may audition on an instrument or voice, or may audition by uploading three audio files in .mp3 format, along with an accompanying description page to Acceptd. The applicant should create these audio files using a DAW such as ProTools, Logic, Garage Band, Reason, etc. The description should include a discussion of how these tracks were made.
An accompanist will be provided for vocalists only.
A music theory placement examination (optional) is offered for students who have studied music theory and are requesting a waiver of the Music Theory I requirement.
Graduate Auditions (MAT)
A one-hour written music theory examination (including analysis, figured bass realization, and general fundamentals).
A one-hour written music history and literature examination covering significant musical developments, compositions, and key figures from the Renaissance to the present.
The performance of three compositions from different periods of music performed on the major performing medium.
A test of sight-reading skills at the piano.
A test of sight-singing skills.
A test of skills involving the harmonization of a melody at the piano.
* If you are a current Manhattanville student and would like to audition to be a Music major, please contact FPA@mville.edu
* Students do not need to audition to be a minor in Music.
5. Studio Arts Application
Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art/Master of Arts in Teaching Honors Program (5 years)
Minor in Studio Art (no portfolio required)
For all prospective students wishing to pursue a B.A. in visual arts program, it is suggested that applicants submit a portfolio via Acceptd for scholarship into the program. This portfolio review applies to all new students and external transfers. The review has no bearing on Admission's decision as they have their own criteria for acceptance to the College. Pending a positive Admissions decision, the portfolio review determines if the applicant is eligible for an additional Performance Major Award.
Your visual portfolio should consist of:
- 15-20 works of art
- Include drawings from observation
- Consider your best and most recent work as a part of your portfolio
- Presentation should consist of a variety of media and approaches
- Include assignment-based projects
- Include self-directed work and sketchbooks
- Include samples of creative writing
The portfolio does not need to focus on a single discipline. It would help if you considered a variety of artwork, including paintings, drawings, printmaking, sculpture, photographs, ceramics, and digital art.
- Try to limit the artwork using grid systems drawings and paintings
- Try to limit replicas of other artist's work
- Try to limit replicating anime drawings, cartoons, and video game character designs.
A portfolio review could be in-person but preferably digital, uploaded through Acceptd.com
* If you are a current Manhattanville student and would like to submit a portfolio to be a Studio Art major, please contact FPA@mville.edu
* Students do not need a portfolio to be a minor in Studio Arts.