2026 In-Person Auditions: October 9th-12th @ Pittsburgh CLO Academy (130 CLO Academy Way) 
Friday/Saturday: Auditions & Masterclasses at CLO Academy 8am-7pm
Friday Night: Student Mixer at Even Hotel (425 Forbes Ave.); Parent Mixer at Wyndham Grand (600 Commonwealth Pl)
Saturday Morning/Afternoon/Night: Dance Call at CLO Academy
Sunday & Monday: Junior Experience/Mock Auditions  at CLO Academy; Q&A Sessions, Parent Masterclasses at Even Hotel
Sunday Callbacks: (8am-6PM) at Wyndham Grand Downtown, Faculty Panels & Parent Masterclasses at Even Hotel
Monday Callbacks: (8AM-3PM) at CLO Academy

2026 Virtual Auditions October 16th-18th Audition Room on Acceptd Portal
Friday & Saturday: Virtual LIVE Auditions 9am-7pm
Friday & Saturday: Virtual MasterClasses and Q&A Sessions
Sunday: Virtual LIVE Auditions 9am-12pm
Sunday: Callbacks, MTCA Informational Sessions, Q&A Sessions, Dance Call Self-Tape Due

2026 Virtual Auditions Tech & Design Portfolio Reviews October 24th Audition Room on Acceptd Portal
Saturday: Tech & Design Portfolio Reviews in Audition Room 9am-5pm, Virtual MasterClasses

** For a complete, hour-by-hour  listing of all classes & events, please visit the "Schedule" tab **
 

The Junior Experience package is the perfect way to feel more prepared and relaxed when it’s your turn to audition for college as a high school senior. In the Junior Experience, you will walk the same footsteps as the seniors, so you will know what to expect the following year. Not to mention, you will have the extra benefit of having the opportunity to make friends super-early in the process, so you can all go through it together! Juniors will have the opportunity to attend all of the masterclasses during the weekend, and there will also be masterclasses geared specifically to the juniors and workshops for junior parents on Sunday. Junior parents are also invited to attend any of the parent sessions that are scheduled over the weekend. The centerpiece of the weekend for juniors will be the mock auditions with some of the PUA colleges, universities, programs and industry professionals. After their audition, juniors will receive real-time feedback on the audition in the room. Both the master classes and mock auditions will offer juniors meaningful feedback and valuable practice for next year’s audition process.

The Junior Experience at PUA is a great way to become familiar with colleges/universities/programs before you have to audition. There are so many programs out there and by attending PUA as a Junior, you’ll gain invaluable insights to prepare you for the application process. You’ll also be able to meet and take masterclasses with school professors, ask pertinent questions and learn directly from industry professionals. During the mock auditions, you'll get to experience a consortium style audition and be prepared for the experience prior to senior year. Additionally, after your audition, you will receive valuable feedback from school personnel and industry professionals. You will be one step ahead prior to Senior year!

The Junior Experience will encompass all days of PUA. Beginning Friday morning, the juniors will have the opportunity to attend all of the masterclasses run by university & program faculty that occur during the weekend. Additionally, junior parents are welcome to attend any workshop, panel or discussion group that senior parents attend. On Friday evening there will be a pizza party mixer at the Even Hotel that the juniors are invited to. On Sunday, there will be masterclasses geared specifically to the juniors and workshops for junior parents. The centerpiece of the weekend for the juniors will be the mock auditions with some of the PUA colleges, universities, programs and industry professionals. After their audition, juniors will receive real-time feedback on the audition. Both the master classes and mock auditions will offer juniors meaningful feedback and valuable practice for next year’s audition process.

The Junior Experience is an in-person event only.

Juniors will upload artistic review materials to Acceptd just like the seniors and the requirements will be the same as the seniors. This will be an advantage because you will now have experience with this process and be comfortable doing it again senior year. The materials are kept on Acceptd for the year and then are archived when the new audition cycle begins. If you participate in PUA again as a senior (which we hope you do!), those old videos will be wiped from the system and you will. create a new senior profile. The artistic review video materials are used for the schools to get a first look at you. They are similar to prescreens, but they are not something that you will "pass" or "not pass." They are just used as a "get to you know as a performer" for the schools and programs attending PUA. For specific information on what to film and for more information about the artistic media review materials, please see the "Artistic Review Materials" section of the FAQ

Along with a headshot and resume, all students will upload videos per the Musical Theatre Common Prescreen guidelines, which all schools participating in PUA have agreed to adhere to. The videos will consist of songs, monologue(s), dance, portfolio (if Tech & Design) and an optional Wildcard. Each element will be a separate video that is 60-90 seconds in length. The schools participating in PUA have agreed to use the Musical Theatre Common Prescreen for both Acting and Musical Theatre. At PUA, you can use Option C for songs and either Option A or B for monologues, which means you are free to choose either Option A or Option B. Please note that there is no acapella singing, so you should video with audio tracks of your music or film with an accompanist. If you are filming with an accompanist, please follow the filming guidelines in the MTCP and do not have the accompanist in frame. Only the student should be in frame from waist up (see below for a link to the MTCP for more guidance on filming tips). Additionally, if you are applying to Musical Theatre, you will need to film a dance video. Acting-only candidates do not have to film a dance. For dance, you can use Option A or B. The ballet video is optional. The dance video should also be between 60-90 seconds in length. You can use self-choreographed steps, have someone choreograph a dance for you, or you can use a dance from a school that has given permission for others to use for their dance videos (see the question on dance for more information on this and a link to the dance videos) All videos must be labeled in the following format: - Title of Song – Musical/Show – Your First & Last Name - Title of Play – Playwright – Your First & Last Name - Slate - Your First & Last Name - Wildcard - Your First & Last Name - Dance - Your First & Last Name - Headshot - Your First & Last Name When filming, be sure to film in landscape (horizontal) format and to position the camera at eye level. Both seniors and juniors for all disciplines are required to upload the review materials to Acceptd. Musical Theatre Students (all videos are to be 60-90 seconds): Headshot Resume Slate Video (see description below) 2 Contrasting Song Cuts 1 Monologue Dance Video (ballet video is optional) Wildcard Video (options but highly recommended) Acting Students (all videos are to be 60-90 seconds): Headshot Resume Slate Video (see description below) 2 Contrasting Monologues Wildcard Video (optional but highly recommended. See description below) Musical Theatre & Acting Students (all videos are to be 60-90 seconds): Headshot Resume Slate Video (see description below) 2 Contrasting Song Cuts & 1 Monologue or 2 Contrasting Monologues and 1 Song Cut Dance Video (ballet video is optional) Wildcard Video (optional but highly recommended. See description below) Tech & Design Students (all videos are to be 60-90 seconds): Headshot Resume 1 Portfolio Wildcard Video (optional but highly recommended. See description below) The slate is a separate video for the Musical Theatre Common Prescreen and must be uploaded to Acceptd. Please do not to slate before each song and monologue. The Wildcard video is optional, however it is a great way for schools to get to know you beyond songs and monologues. It is a way to show your personality to the schools and an opportunity to share something about you. The Wildcard can be ANYTHING you want - a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, poetry you've written, an instrument you play, etc. “What do you want the schools to know about you?” The Wildcard video should be between 60-90 seconds in length. To find out more about the 2025/2026 Musical Theatre Common Prescreen and its requirements, and to get more filming tips, CLICK HERE: Also, please review the FAQ section on the Media Review Materials.

As long as you upload your media files by September 1st, you are guaranteed to get constructive feedback from our professional panel of industry expert reviewers. Many consider this feedback "free coaching" and find it valuable information. Each year, we use a rotating panel of experts that consist of people that are active in the industry and also some of the professional coaches from MTCA. There will be NO feedback given for materials submitted after September 1st. The reviewers look at everything in order to set the student up for success. PUA reviews your media to make sure that you can be seen and heard by the college faculty who will review your videos. As you would expect, the dance, vocal, monologue and wildcard videos are reviewed. However, reviewers also look over resumes, general formatting, labeling of videos to ensure they comply with MTCP requirements, etc. Once students receive their feedback, they will have a one-time opportunity between September 23-30 to refilm their audition package and swap out any materials utilizing the feedback provided to them by the panel. The students will be changing out materials themselves and do not need to email the materials to PUA. This will be the only time period students will have access to Acceptd to change their materials. After these dates, no other changes to materials will be permitted.   After submitting your materials in Acceptd, you can expect to have feedback returned to you in approximately 1 week, as there are multiple people doing the review. However, some do receive it sooner than that.

The Junior Experience will set you up for success during your senior year. Therefore, the Junior Experience is very similiar to what the seniors will be during over the course of the weekend. Juniors have the opportunity to take master classes with the seniors on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, there will be master classes specifically designed for the juniors and workshops for the junior parents. The highlight of the weekend will be the Junior Mock Auditions on Sunday afternoon! Juniors will audition for a group of PUA schools and industry professionals on the same stage as the seniors, performing the same auditionl materials that the seniors use. The number of schools watching the mock auditions is smaller than the number that watch the senior auditions, but the smaller audience gives juniors the chance to experience a consortium audition without the pressure of a full room. Juniors will get immediate in-room feedback! Additionally, juniors will not have a live dance call like the seniors do. Instead, juniors will have the opportunity to participate in an optional digital dance call for feedback.

No. The videos you upload as a junior will stay on Acceptd for the year. But, they are wiped from the Acceptd after the current audition cycle is complete. When you go to upload new materials as a senior, the old videos will not be on Acceptd and will not be accessible to the schools.

When filming your medial review materials, it may not always be possible to have a live accompanist when you film. If that is the case, it will be necessary to have audio recordings for the music of your song cuts. Please do not use karaoke tracks for filming your medial review materials. Sources for obtaining accompanist tracks can be local resources like your voice teacher or your school band teacher. There are also online resources like Musicnotes and Sheet Music Direct and apps that you can use such as Appcompanist, PianoTrax or Tomplay Sheet Music.

You will schedule your own audition time at PUA. Once all of your materials are submitted on Acceptd, they will be sent for review by our staff of industry professionals. The deadline to submit materials into Acceptd is 9/1/26 for guaranteed professional feedback or 10/1/26 if you are not taking advantage of the free, professional feedback. All materials must be submitted prior to 10/1/26. After your materials are accepted, we will send you an email with instructions to schedule your PUA audition time. The available audition times will be shown on the “Schedule” tab on your Acceptd page. You can pick your preferred time. There are plenty of audition times for all students. All students MUST choose their audition time by October 3rd. If you do not schedule your time by that date, it will automatically be scheduled for you. This is critical because Team PUA needs time to prepare the audition materials for the event. If you need to change your time, you can do so by going back into Acceptd and changing it prior to October 3rd. No changes will be permitted after that date. This process is the same for all students - Juniors, Seniors, Tech & Design and Virtual MT/Acting Seniors.

Juniors are asked to prepare the same audition package as the seniors. Musical Theatre Candidates:  You will be asked to perform TWO (2) CONTRASTING SONGS. Please . The total time of your pieces should not exceed THREE (3) minutes. Acting Candidates: You should prepare TWO (2) CONTRASTING MONOLOGUES monologues. The total time of your pieces should not exceed THREE (3) minutes. Musical Theatre Plus Acting Candidates: You will be asked to perform ONE (1) SONG and ONE (1) MONOLOGUE that contrasts in tone and/or theme to your song. The total time of your pieces should not exceed THREE (3) minutes. Important Notes For All Candidates: Please time your song and monologue(s) together before coming to PUA to ensure that they are THREE (3) minutes or less in total. We will be adhearing to THREE (3) minute slots per candidate in the room. Please be respectful of your fellow auditionees and ensure your audition package fits the time frame. Your audition will end when the timer hits THREE (3) minutes. You can perform the same materials from your artistic review materials that you uploaded to Acceptd, or you can use different material. Important Notes For All Candidates: Please time your song and monologue(s) together before coming to PUA to ensure that they are THREE (3) minutes or less in total. We will be adhearing to THREE (3) minute slots per candidate in the room. Please be respectful of your fellow auditionees and ensure your audition package fits the time frame. Your audition will end when the timer hits THREE (3) minutes. For all candidates, you can perform materials from your artistic review materials that you uploaded into Acceptd, or you can use different materials. It is your choice for PUA. There is no live Dance Call for Juniors at PUA.

At Junior Mock Auditions, you will have a live accompanist. However, it would be helpful to have recordings of your music for masterclasses.

Don't overthink it! Wear something you love and that you feel comfortable and confident in. Definitely wear something that you feel reflects your personality. As a general rule, wear something that you would wear on a first date. Avoid any logos and large, distracting jewelry. Please make sure your hair does not hide your face, so the adjudicators can clearly see you, your eyes and your facial expressions during your audition. For footwear, please wear something comfortable that you can walk and/or move in easily. Avoid shoes that are hard to stand in. For dance masterclasses that you sign up for, you should wear something that is easy to move in. Also, please wear something that is close to the body so the faculty can easily observe your lines. Your audition number should be worn and visible at all times during PUA. This is the rule for both masterclasses, panel discussions and the mock auditions.

Once you are on the stage at PUA, you will introduce yourself to the adjudicators by stating your name and your audition number. You will then present all of your pieces at one time. For songs, you state the name of the song and the musical it is from. For monologues, you state the name of the monologue, name of the play it is from and the author.For example: "Hello! My name is John Doe, #10 and today I will be performing "Tonight at Eight" from She Loves Me and my monologue is “Richard's Boast" from Richard III by William Shakespeare."

This year, juniors will be sent a dance combination that they will have the option to record and upload to Acceptd for feedback or they can attend a live dance call. Recorded dance calls are becoming industry standard for professional opportunities and this will be a good introduction to the process for the juniors. Dance calls will be sent out to students on October 1, 2026. Additionally, juniors are able to register for any dance masterclass that they wish over the course of the weekend.

The dance call is an industry standard, in which you will learn a dance combination and then perform it in small groups. We offer our dance call two different ways for the in-person students and there will be both mover calls and dancer calls:We will offer a live, in-person mover and dancer calls at a few different dance call times, and you will have the opportunity to schedule your dance call prior to PUA. The dance call will take place in a dance studio, so jazz shoes or character shoes are fine to wear. Be sure to wear dance clothing that allows the faculty members to see and appreciate your movement and your lines. This year, we will also be offering the opportunity to do a video dancer or mover call, if you prefer, instead of the live dance call. It is your choice if you wish to take advantage of this opportunity or not, Via Acceptd Messenger, PUA will send out choreography and music tracks for both movers and dancers on or about October 2nd. You will have until October 17th to record your dance and return it (all instructions on returning the video will be in the message you receive with the dance choreography). You can choose to return in prior to the in-person PUA dates or after, but the hard deadline for returning it to us will be October 17th.In the past, successful candidates have recorded dance calls in various places, such as their living rooms, basements, garages, dance studios, church or school auditoriums, and even outside on the patio or driveway! If you are a mover, please do the mover call as opposed to the dancer call. Schools want to see you at your best and want to see you executing the choreography well. It is to your advantage to choose the dance call choreography that you can execute best and highlight your strengths instead of areas that you need to grow in. The most important thing is don't stress! The instructors are looking for ability to pick up choreography and dance fit for their program.

No, the Juniors do not receive callbacks during the Junior Experience. Instead, immediately following their moc audition, Juniors will receive in-room, constructive feedback from the college and program representatives and MT professionals. This feedback will give the Juniors the opportunity to perfect their materials and give them actionable items to work on over the year so that they are in a solid starting position for their senior year.

Yes! Juniors can sign-up for a headshot session at PUA. Please look out for scheduling information that will be communicated to all registered students.

When dresing for a headshot, the main rule is to wear neat, simple, non-distracting clothing in a flattering color. You want the actor to be the main focus and not what they are wearing. You want to look like you will walking into an audition room. Avoid loud prints or clothing with logos. Solid colors work better on film. Layering colors can make for attractive and interesting photos. Also, avoid distracting jewelry, such as large, shiny necklaces or pendants, large earrings, watches, etc. Also, make sure your hair is not hiding your eyes and face. Makeup should not be exaggerated. You want to look natural in order to keep the focus on the actor. Keep it simple and you will shine!

Sorry! Parents are not permitted to watch any of the auditions. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend the information sessions scheduled especially for parents.