2026 National Musical Theatre Competition (NMTC) Deadline to Apply

National Musical Theatre Competition

The National Musical Theatre Competition is the first national competition for the musical theatre soloist.

How It Works: The National Musical Theatre Competition is seeking the best emerging musical theatre soloists, those who just need that one break to move their careers forward. To be eligible, applicants must be ages 22-30 as of the application deadline date. Preliminary rounds of the competition are scheduled to take place in fall 2025 (application available mid-February 2025). Approximately 24 singers advance to the semifinal and final rounds in early January 2026 during the NATS 2026 winter workshop in New York City. The winner will then perform at the 59th NATS national conference to be held in San Antonio, Texas, July 3-7, 2026.

• Entry Fee: $90 (or $75 for students of NATS members). APPLY NOW
• Prizes: The 1st Prize - Florence Birdwell Award is $10,000 in addition to a concert at the next NATS National Conference; 2nd Prize - Linda J. Snyder Prize is awarded more than $2,500; 3rd Prize - Louise Lerch Prize is $1,000; 4th Prize - Bill Hayes Prize is $750.
• Competition Dates: 
  • PRELIMINARY ROUNDS
    Live rounds - TBA
    Online Auditions - Fall 2025
  • SEMIFINAL AND FINAL ROUNDS
    Early January 2026 in New York City as part of the 2026 NATS Winter Workshop. 
• Deadline to Apply: September 15, 2025

*If you are planning to submit for the online round you must complete your application by the September 15, 2025 deadline date, but you will have approx. 30 days after the deadline date to upload your audition videos.

Application, repertoire information and complete rules