2-Year Professional Musical Theatre Training Program (Certificate Program)

CAP21 has a rolling admissions policy. Applications are processed and reviewed immediately, when ALL MATERIALS have been received by CAP21. Applications lacking any components will not be processed. Once all materials have been reviewed, you will be contacted for a telephone interview and to schedule a live audition.

CAP21 reserves the right to refuse applicants in order to maintain a high level of professional training.  

Admissions Overview 

  • Submit application at any time
  • Auditions held until sections have been filled
  • Notification of acceptance within 30 days of your audition
  • Actor confirms their acceptance within 30 days of their acceptance notice
  • Tuition deposit due within 30 days of acceptance
  • Payment plans available
  • First semester classes begin in August

Applicants need to send in the following paperwork:

  • Application form
  • Headshot (8x10 black and white or color photo)
  • Resume
  • 2 (two) letters of recommendation
  • Application and audition fee of $100 (non-refundable) payable by check, money order, or credit card
  • High School or College Transcript
  • SAT/ACT scores (High School seniors only)

Address to send application materials:

CAP21
Attn: Vernon Goodman
18 W. 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

Electronic submissions should be sent to: [email protected]. "Professional Program" must be listed in the subject heading.

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Auditions

Auditions in New York City
If you live within 500 miles of NYC, we would like to see you audition in person. Auditions will be held throughout the fall, spring, and summer at CAP21 studios at 18 West 18th Street in New York City between 5th and 6th Aves. Take the elevator to the 6th floor and the receptionist will direct you to the sign in area.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled audition to sign in. While there will be one room designated as a warm-up area, we suggest arriving vocally warmed up as the space will be shared with other auditioners. 

Audition Material: 2 songs and a monologue

Songs: The two songs should be contrasting in acting choices and vocal style. At least some portion of the songs should demonstrate a legit musical theatre sound. If your songs do not satisfactorily demonstrate a legit sound, the audition panel will vocalize you to determine the range and skill level of your head voice. Songs should be no longer than 2 minutes each. Prepare a 30 second cut of each song in case the audition panel asks for a shortened version. An accompanist will be provided.

Monologue: The monologue should demonstrate your acting and storytelling skills. Choose material that is age appropriate, from a role that would be appropriate for your type, and shows your strengths as an actor. Acting choices in the material should
 contrast your acting work in the songs.
The monologue should be 2 minutes or less.

Audition Dates: After your phone interview, we will schedule an audition date and time for you. Auditions will be held until all spaces have been filled.

Electronic Audition: Those applicants living more than 500 miles from New York City may choose to audition electronically.  To audition electronically, submit the paperwork listed above (application, recommendations, headshot, resume, and transcript) and a DVD with the following:

  • A verbal answer to the following questions:

    • Describe your performance experience or training (acting, singing, dancing).
    • Why are you applying for this training program?
    • Why should we accept you into the program?

  • 2 songs and a monologue (go to Audition Material for types of songs and monologues).

  • Dance Calls will be held on audition dates throughout the Fall and Spring.  For those advanced or intermediate dancers who are unable to audition on a date with a Dance Call, we recommend that you submit a DVD to demonstrate your dance skill. Those with no dance training, or who consider themselves beginners, are not obligated to submit a DVD. Beginning dancers can notate on their application that they are beginners and will be placed in the appropriate level dance class within the program.

    Intermediate or Advanced level dancers, please submit a DVD with the combinations listed on the following document: Dance Audition Requirements

DVD must be recorded in the NTSC format for DVD viewing in the US. VHS recordings will be accepted. 

All applicants must demonstrate the following proficiencies for admission to the 2-Year Professional Musical Theatre Training Program:

  • Acting: clear articulation of individual goals, sufficient English skills and the ability to understand language, ability to take direction, healthy speaking voice sounds, potential of the vocal instrument
  •  Singing: sufficient musicianship applicable to singing with accompaniment and clear and healthy sounds in the singing voice. Female applicants must demonstrate healthy head-voice sounds. CAP21 does not accept students with an obvious vocal pathology.
  •  Dance: a healthy physical instrument to participate fully in the program, kinesics awareness, sense of rhythm, level of proficiency in dance technique.

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International Student I-20 Information

We are awaiting approval for an I-17, which will allow us to offer International Students an I-20. Once we have received I-17 approval, we will post information about the International application procedure.

Veteran Benefits

Veteran's attending CAP21 are elligible for the GI Bill. Please click here for more details.

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