AFFORDABLE
MUSICAL THEATRE
COLLEGE AUDITION PREP
ABOUT 1 MINUTE 2 WIN IT
FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS IS POSSIBLE
WHEN THE PATH IS ILLUMINATED
Talented, passionate young artists deserve the opportunity to follow their college and career dreams.
Arts inclusion begins with access to affordable expert training and coaching.
Understanding what colleges are looking for in prospective candidates is critical to making your college musical theatre dreams come true. Andrew Abrams is a university insider who can guide students successfully through auditions. As the head of the BFA Musical Theatre Program at Southern Illinois University, he auditioned hundreds of students and knows what programs are looking for when selecting the incoming class. Andrew has served on the faculty of NYU, New York Film Academy, Hofstra University, and the Montview Academy for the Performing Arts (London). He provides both master instruction on technique and an up-to-date perspective on every aspect of the college audition process including Common Pre-Screen requirements as defined by Paper Mill Playhouse.
Andrew has done College Prep work with HS students for the last 20 years. Some of the schools to which they have been accepted are: University of MI-Ann Arbor, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, CCPA- Roosevelt University, Oklahoma City University, Illinois Wesleyan, Boston Conservatory, Syracuse University, Webster University, Texas State University, Pace University, Millikin University, Marymount Manhattan, UW-Stevens Point, Viterbo, etc..
GET FULLY-CUSTOMIZED, PERSONAL ATTENTION THAT IS AFFORDABLE.
SERVICES:
Full one-time assessment: Really get to know the student, see where they currently are with past training, identify strengths, places for improvement, possible school choice options, materials needed, etc.
Voice Lessons: Train vocal technique on songs stressing support, resonance, placement, mixing, healthy belting, freedom from tension and more.
Vocal Coaching: Interpreting the musical “language” of the song (including dynamics, marking your music, phrasing, etc)
Acting The Song: Learn to act the song from an authentic and active perspective defining objectives, subtext, and intentions.
Repertoire Coaching: Work specifics and details with the student to choose their unique and customized audition pieces, make the necessary cuts, mark their music, and make vocal/accompaniment tracks.
Monologue Coaching: New York monologue coach, Julian Decker, will help you choose and coach appropriate audition monologues.
WHAT WE OFFER
MEET YOUR COACHES
Andrew Abrams
Andrew has worked Off-Broadway, Off West-End, regionally and on tour as a professional director, musical director, conductor, composer and Equity actor. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from UW-Madison and a Master of Arts, in Musical Theatre, from University of London-Goldsmiths. He is also a graduate of the advanced year of the BMI Musical Theatre Writing Workshop in New York City. But I’m A Cheerleader: the Musical, a show for which Andrew wrote the music, premiered at the Turbine Theatre in London February 2022, and he is currently the Artistic Director of Capital City Theatre, a regional professional, equity LORT D musical theatre company in Madison, WI.
With over 25 years of experience in the professional musical theatre world, Andrew is able train student at any level from high school to working professionals. As a professional singer, he is very conscious of the health of the voice and utilizes proper “safe” technique in lessons and also puts forward best practices for home care. He is connected to contemporary works and maintains a robust industry network in New York City and abroad, making him well versed in all aspects of a career in the performing arts.
Julian Decker
Monologue Coach
Julian grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he got his start at Erie Playhouse, performing in many productions there. He earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from the prestigious University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music (CCM). His professional work includes SUNSET BOULEVARD and LES MISERABLES on Broadway, the National Tour of LOVE NEVER DIES as the Phantom Understudy, MACK AND MABEL at NYCC Encores!, and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at La Jolla and Paper Mill Playhouse as Quasimodo Understudy. Julian is also a director and performance/career coach, and is the founder of DECKER STUDIOS INC., and a co-founder of BROADWAY METHOD ACADEMY.
SUCCESS STORIES
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“Andy made me feel more confident in my singing by showing me techniques I had not been using before. He also helped me take my acting through singing to the next level, all while having a lot of fun in the process. I’m proud to say I got immediate acceptance at two of my top schools.”
Sydney Adkison, Southern Illinois University, class of 2025
— Nashville, TN -
“The knowledge and support that Andy shared with me during my college audition process was vital to my experience. I can’t imagine how lost I would’ve been without it!”
Leah Johnson, CCPA-Roosevelt University, class of 2025
— Dodgeville, WI -
“Before seeing Andy, I had no idea what to bring into a college audition room. Andy was able to efficiently find me audition material that ensured the auditors would see not only my personality, but the skills that were taught to me through his college audition prep lessons.“
Janelle Sanabria, CCPA Roosevelt University, class of 2025
— Madison, WI -
“The college audition process can be incredibly daunting and overwhelming. I’m so glad my son had the tools to approach it with confidence! Andy’s Voice lessons, Acting the Song, and knowledgeable advice prepared him for prescreens, live auditions, and even interviews. As a sophomore at Syracuse University, he is thrilled with the results!”
Katie Dowling-Marcus (for Flynn Marcus, Syracuse University, class of 2025)
— Madison, WI -
“On a senior class trip we randomly ran into Andrew Abrams at a Broadway Workshop. We discovered that even though we lived in Canada and Andy was working from New York, we could benefit from his wealth of experience and connection by taking online vocal lessons. This led us to something we had not considered; college prep. With Andy’s guidance we were able to decide which schools to apply to in Canada, USA and even England. With each school requesting different criteria Andy used some of his many professional connections in the industry and together they helped choose songs and monologues that covered most of the necessary audition requirements. By the time audition season arrived Andy had us completely prepared and we were successful in acceptances. During the university years Andy was always happy to help with lessons or suggestions for repertoire and continues to be a support many years later.“
Hayley Pickess, Oklahoma City University, class of 2017
— Toronto, Canada -
“Andy worked diligently with my son on his vocal audition material for Universities across the Midwest. Not only was he able to prep him for his vocal auditions and work acting the song, but he also placed my son with an instructor who guided him through his monologue process. Andy was able to provide insight to my wife and I, who had very little knowledge about how to navigate the process of auditioning for schools.“
Mark Daspit (for Alex Daspit, Webster University, class of 2025)
— McFarland, WI -
"Andrew is an incredibly gifted teacher in not only vocals, but also performance, character, auditions, and the college audition process. His technical expertise is paired with a supportive, collaborative style that is positive and productive. He offers clear and specific coaching that grows my child's vocal skills while also improving her confidence. She loves working with Andrew!"
Carol Gregory
— Berea, OH