2024 Musical Theatre Slam

Hart House Theatre’s Musical Theatre Slam in partnership with the Musical Stage Company is part of our continued initiative to engage emerging musical theatre performers, and U of T students, in a showcase event. This yearly Musical Theatre Slam is a fun performance opportunity for singers, dancers, and theatre artists of all experience levels to increase accessibility and inclusivity in the musical theatre community. This exciting performance opportunity will provide students and emerging artists with a chance to share their passion for performance while competing for awards and prizes. The 2024 Musical Theatre Slam will be judged by members of the Musical Stage Company, Patricia Cerra and Sarah O'Brecht and artistic associate, Robert McQueen.

From the initial submissions, the judges will short-list a small group of performers to be involved in a live performance taking place on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 7:30 pm at Hart House Theatre during which the judges will give feedback and select the Slam’s top performances. As an educational opportunity, all submissions are guaranteed written feedback from the Competition Judges from their initial submission.

Content Deadline: Friday, May 24th, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

Judges will review submissions from May 24 - June 6, and the shortlisted performers will be informed shortly thereafter. Performers participating in the live event will receive a $25 gift card and the panel of Judges will choose the top 3 performances. There will also be a Most Improved Award, as well as an Award of Merit chosen by the Competition Judges from the remaining submissions not selected for the live performance opportunity.

In addition to performing at Hart House, Musical Stage Company is offering the winner a one-on-one meeting with the leadership of the company.

Please note we reserve the right to use the submission content in part or whole.

Musical Theatre Slam Submission Guidelines:

Submissions Open: Monday, April 29, 2024. 

Content Deadline: Friday, May 24, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

You must complete the Musical Theatre Slam Submission Form and upload your submission video audition there.

1. Any emerging musical theatre performer is allowed to submit and U of T students are highly encouraged. We welcome all levels of experience to participate.

2. You are welcome to do any performative aspect that showcases your musical theatre skills. For example, singing, singing and dancing or lip-syncing and dancing. This is open to your interpretation. Triple threats have always been part of Musical Theatre and you are encouraged to showcase your skills.

3. Length is 2 minutes minimum to 5 minutes maximum.

4. Original or established works are accepted.

5. If you submit a performance in a language other than English, please provide an English translation of the lyrics for our Judges. 

6. There is a limit of one submission per participant. 

7. Please note we reserve the right to use the submission content in part or whole.

8. The Competition Judges will shortlist performers for a live performance opportunity which will take place on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

9. Performers participating in the live event will receive a gift card and the panel of Judges will choose the Top 3 Performances of the night and Most Improved Performance.

10. There will also be an Award of Merit chosen by the Competition Judges from the remaining submissions not selected for the live performance opportunity.  

11. All prizing will be issued in the form of $25 gift cards. Winners will get to choose from the following list of options: Instacart, Starbucks, Amazon or Uber 

12. In addition to performing at Hart House, Musical Stage Company is offering the winner a one-on-one meeting with the leadership of the company.

• The deadline to submit video content is Friday, May 24, 2024, at 11:59 pm

  • Please record in landscape format and submit as an mp4 file. If you are
    recording on a virtual platform like Zoom or MS Teams, please hide non-video participants (if any). 

  • Video Submissions must be accompanied by the Musical Theatre Slam Submission Survey

  • For the complete listing of the Video Submission Survey Questions, please see the full list below. 

  • Please note, you must be available to perform live in order to be considered for awards, with the exception of the Award of Merit. 

  • There will also be an Award of Merit chosen by the Competition Judges from the remaining submissions not selected for the live performance opportunity.  

  • A piece will be disqualified from receiving any awards if any person has been paid for working on any aspect of the production. It will be up to the discretion of the U of T Spotlight Team to decide if a submission has had an unfair advantage.

If you have any questions, please contact: U of T Spotlight <[email protected]>

Please note we reserve the right to use the submission content in part or whole.