

All prospective and transfer students must apply for admission to NYU Steinhardt before scheduling an audition. Apply for undergraduate study.
All prospective students applying for early decision, regular decision, and transfer applications are required to submit a video prescreening submission prior to being invited to a Zoom audition. After you submit your Common Application, you will receive within a couple of business days a link to log into your Artistic Review Portal, where you can submit your prescreen materials.
All prescreening submissions must be uploaded by the dates below. Materials submitted after these dates may not be accepted.
Rather than a single long video, we would like three separate clips: the introduction, the first song, and the second song. It's easier for us to review and easier for you to shoot. We will not be influenced by the professional quality of the video. Please do not worry about any elaborate lighting or studio conditions.
Applicants need to upload their prescreen videos on or by the deadline and not later.
Below are the requirements and suggestions for your material:
Please upload a resume and a headshot or photograph along with your prescreen video.
Please note: Auditioning is all too often the most difficult aspect of pursuing a career as a professional singer and actor. As a prospective student, try to think of your audition as a unique opportunity for you to introduce yourself to people who are your advocates and who very much want you to be good at what you do. This mind-set will serve you well in any audition situation. Always remember to take your time and to breathe. Your task is to share your talents – not to impress the auditors!
After uploading the prescreening submission, your materials will be reviewed by our faculty. If, following the review, we require an audition, you will be sent an email invitation, with several choices of dates on which to appear. If you are invited to an audition, you must prepare materials according to the guidelines below. Auditions will be held both on campus and via Zoom. So should you not be able to attend a live audition, you may select to attend a virtual audition instead. A live pianist will be provided for a live audition. However, should you chose to attend a virtual audition a pianist won't be provided and you must secure your own accompanist to be present during your audition date/time or have an accompaniment track prepared ahead of time for your audition (no karaoke or pre-recorded tracks allowed; tracks must be of a live piano accompaniment only).
Please be aware that auditions are only requested if the faculty would like more information on an applicant that would warrant an audition. Not being asked to submit an audition does not mean that you have been rejected.
Please know that while prescreen auditions will be reviewed by the faculty on a rolling basis and while every attempt will be made to schedule an audition in a timely manner after the submission of prescreen materials, the possibility exists that an applicant may not receive an invitation until after the final deadline. All invitations will be sent no later than one week following the deadline for prescreen submissions.
November 19, 2022 (Saturday, 10am-2pm) | Early Decision I and II, Transfers, and Concentration Switches |
January 20, 2023 (Friday, 10-6pm) | Early Decision II and Regular Decision |
January 21, 2023 (Saturday, 9-12pm) | Regular Decision |
January 27, 2023 (Friday, 9am-12pm) | Regular Decision |
January 28, 2023 (Friday, 1:30-6pm) | Regular Decision |
February 10, 2023 (Friday, 9am-12pm) | Regular Decision |
February 17, 2023 (Friday, 9am-12pm) | Regular Decision |
February 18, 2023 (Saturday, 11-6pm) | Undergraduate |
March 24, 2023 (Friday, 1-6pm) | Internal Transfers and Concentration Switches |
April 21st, 2023 (Friday, 1:30-6pm) | Transfer Applicants |
Note for prospective transfer students: Though NYU's deadline for Spring transfer admission is November 1 and our deadline for Summer/Fall transfer admission is April 1, we suggest that you submit your Common Application one month in advance. Submitting your Common Application early will leave you more time to schedule an audition by our deadlines above.
Prepare three songs, one from each timespan (pre-1965, 1965-1990, and 1990 to the current day), that demonstrate your vocal, interpretive, and stylistic knowledge. Choose material from music theatre repertoire – please avoid rock, pop, country, and jazz. Be sure to demonstrate proficiency in head-voice style of vocalism using legato lines in one of your selections. We are looking for musical accuracy and appropriate/healthy registration choices that are in keeping with the composer's intentions.
Select the song you are most comfortable with to sing first. The committee will then make requests from your list which may include a cut of a second. In all likelihood, you will not sing all three songs.
These songs must be memorized and should be no more than 4 minutes in duration - cuts of 32 bars or more are welcome.
Note: While some movement may be naturally incorporated into your songs, do not choreograph or over-stage your selections.
The first criterion for acceptance into this program is vocal ability and potential, so, please focus on using your voice in communicating the text in the most grounded and effective manner possible.
Professional performers are often expected to dress with a sense of the occasion, and an audition is a crucial part of both your education and the professional career you are beginning to pursue. Wear clothing that makes you comfortable, but make certain that you look your best and are dressed in a manner that shows you take both yourself and the audition seriously.