College & University
College & University Theatre Professionals,
Planning is well underway for this year’s MTA Festival. This year, the festival is scheduled to take place from January 15 to 18, 2026, at the Gertrude Ford Center for Performing Arts.
THE MTA 2026 SCHEDULE will be available in January 2026.
College and University auditions will take place at the MTA State Festival on the evening of Thursday, January 15, 2026. College auditions provide high school juniors and seniors a unique opportunity to showcase their performance and technical skills. Seniors aspiring to study theatre at a Mississippi college can compete for an MTA Scholarship. On the participant roster spreadsheet, indicate the students who will participate in the auditions. Participating students must complete the application by December 20, 2025.
There will be opportunities for students to meet with representatives from colleges and universities at the college and university booths.
All of these benefits will be included with your $130 college registration fee. A college & university membership will include two (2) festival admissions, a festival booth, and additional discounted college & university memberships at $25 each.
The Acceptd Platform for the MTA Auditions and Scholarships is now open! Visit: app.getacceptd.com/mississippitheatre.
Students who wish to audition at MTA 2026 should complete this online application by December 18th, 2025. Students should create an account (if they do not already have one) using their personal email address to avoid problems with school firewalls.
The MTA Auditions & Scholarship Document will provide a complete list of required information for the application as well as the guidelines for the audition/interview process.
Seniors who wish to apply for the $500 MTA Scholarship should check YES when prompted and answer a series of questions about their involvement in theatre.
The deadline for online applications is DECEMBER 18, 2025
MTA will also be hosting workshops during MTA 2026. If you would be interested in hosting a workshop, please sign up for this as well.
If you are interested in serving as an adjudicator for one of the high school regional festivals, please send an email to Lindsey Eubanks. Thank you for all that you are doing during this unique time in theatre history. If you have any questions or ideas, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Cory Squires, csquires@prcc.edu
MTA College & University Division Chair
Sam Sparks, sparksd@millsaps.edu
MTA College & University Division Vice-Chair
College & University Welcome Letter
The College & University Letter for MTA 2025 will posted HERE when available.
MTA 2026 – Oxford, MS – January 15-18, 2026
MTA 2026 will be held at the Ole Miss University.
2026 MTA Registration is HERE
Make sure to watch this video to help with registration.
Present a Workshop at MTA 2026
Information for MTA 2026 can be found HERE when available.
Ad Sales for MTA 2026
Ad Sales for MTA 2025 can be found HERE.
Sponsor/Vendor MTA 2026
Choose to be a sponsor/vendor of MTA 2026! Information for sponsorships for MTA 2026 can be found HERE.
MTA 2026 Overall Schedule
The MTA 2026 schedule will be posted in late December 2025.
MTA 2026 Workshop Listing
Workshop listings for MTA 2026 will be posted in early January 2026.
SETC Professional Screening Auditions
For more information, contact SETC State Auditions Coordinator, Juniper Wallace.
Creating A High-Quality Self-Taped Audition
Self-Taping Audition Tips
SETC Screening Audition Information
Dream Team Application
Do you know of a college student who is interested in pursuing theatre? Are you personally interested in building your resume and networking with theatre professionals? MTA is seeking a talented roster of college and university students to assist with the MTA 2026 Festival. This year’s event will be held at the remarkable MSU Riley Center in Meridian.
Contact Executive Director Lindsey Eubanks, for questions or more information.
Click HERE to apply.
Students across the Southern region gain firsthand event experience serving as volunteer assistant coordinators for our largest event, the MTA annual theatre festival. The event in January 2026 would not be possible without the service of the following individuals:
Announcement to come.