National Musical Theatre Competition
The first national competition for the musical theatre soloist seeking the best emerging talent in 2026.
- Next Competition Finals: January 2026
- Application Opens: Fall 2025
The National Musical Theatre Competition (NMTC) was launched in 2011 as the first national competition for the emerging professional musical theatre soloist. Now in its sixth iteration, NMTC has provided industry connections to past competitors and winners that have led to their success on Broadway and other venues. The biennial competition takes place in conjunction with the NATS Winter Workshop in New York City, expressly hosted in proximity to the music industry’s top professionals.
Prizes
1st Prize - Florence Birdwell Prize
$10,000 PLUS a concert at the next NATS National Conference and a $1,000 Gift Certificate from Hal Leonard.
2nd Prize - Linda J. Snyder Prize
$2,500 PLUS a $500 Gift Certificate from Hal Leonard.
3rd Prize - Louise Lerch Prize
$1,000 cash prize.
4th Prize - Bill Hayes Prize
$750 cash prize.
Eligibility
All singers age 20-28 as of September 15, 2023 (reduced entry fee for students of NATS Professional or Emerging Professional members).
Entrance Procedure
- Application requires payment of $90 application fee ($75 for students of NATS Professional or Emerging Professional members).
- All application materials must be submitted by the deadline - September 15, 2023. (After application, Online Preliminary applicants have until October 15, 2023, to upload their preliminary round videos.)
- Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
- No refund of application fees due to cancellation by the applicant will be allowed.
- Applicants must agree to be available for appearance and not be booked during the dates of the NATS 58th National Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 28 - July 2, 2024, should they be selected as a Semifinalist.
Where to Audition
PRELIMINARY ROUNDS
- Live Auditions - October 14-15, 2023 at Opera America National Opera Center (Charles MacKay Studio) in NYC.
- Online Auditions - Video submission deadline is October 15, 2023.
If you are planning to submit for the online round you must complete your application by the September 15, 2023 deadline date, but you will have approx. 30 days after the deadline date to upload your audition videos.
SEMIFINAL AND FINAL ROUNDS
Semifinal and final rounds will take place January 8, 2024 in New York City as part of the 2024 NATS Winter Workshop. Approximately 24 singers will advance to the semifinal round in New York City. Read more
Repertoire Requirements
NOTE: There will be no amplification available at preliminary round auditions. The determination of whether there will be amplification offered to participants for the final round will be determined by the size and acoustic quality of the room in which they occur.
Have repertoire or copyright questions?
All questions specific to the rules and regulations, copyright, or about repertoire and requirements, should be directed to the .
Preliminary Round
THREE CONTRASTING MUSICAL THEATRE SELECTIONS that are written or intended for a staged musical production. The production may be a musical (including film musicals), revue, or song cycle. The selections should demonstrate the singer's full ability in Musical Theatre, showing contrast and variety among selections. We seek a top-quality, healthy, and unique vocal sound, appropriate for the repertory. Adjudication criteria will evaluate, among other factors, the breadth of repertoire chosen. Therefore, singers are encouraged to ensure that these selections represent the full spectrum of their vocal and dramatic abilities. Appropriate stage movement and dialogue or monologue, if an integral part of a selection, may be included. 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. Singers may bring their own accompanist or use the on-site accompanist.
Video Submission Guidelines (for online preliminary applicants)
National Semifinal Round
FOUR ADDITIONAL SELECTIONS (FOR A TOTAL OF SEVEN) that demonstrate the singer’s full ability in Musical Theatre, showing contrast and variety among selections. We seek a top-quality, healthy and unique vocal sound, appropriate for the repertory chosen. Adjudication criteria will evaluate, among other factors, the breadth of repertoire chosen. Therefore, singers are encouraged to ensure that total of seven selections represent the full spectrum of their vocal and dramatic abilities. In this round singers may also want to ensure their selections represent a variety of historical periods of Musical Theatre. Appropriate stage movement and dialogue or monologue, if an integral part of a selection, may be included. 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. Singers may bring their own accompanist or use the on-site accompanist.
National Final Round
Singers will construct a program not to exceed 20 minutes from their list of SEVEN SELECTIONS sung in previous rounds.
NMTC Application
Adjudicators
Adjudicators at all rounds will include casting agents and managers from the top agencies in the industry in addition to veteran performers, coaches, and teachers.
Still have questions? Visit our National Musical Theatre Competition FAQ page
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