Applying for an Acting BFA? Here's What You'll Need

Applying to auditioned theater programs requires keeping track of many moving parts. The applicant must complete:

  • The larger university’s application (The Common App, Coalition App, etc.)

  • Essays, including the Personal Essay and Supplements

  • A Headshot and Artistic Resume

  • A Prescreen Video (an initial audition video filmed by the applicant)

  • Auditions and Callbacks (in person or over Zoom)

All in addition to acquiring Letters of Recommendation, staying involved in extracurriculars, and submitting top-notch materials to each school on your list— phew!

This process can be daunting, but we are here to help. Let’s break it down step by step, and look over some sample schools.

bfa-application-acting-requirements-audition

What Do I Need to Prepare?

For the Application

The application will require showcasing all of your academic and extracurricular achievements to prove that you are a strong enough all-around student to attend the university. While the audition is very important, schools also want to know that you will be academically successful at their institution. 

Most importantly, the application gives you an opportunity to showcase who you are through your essays:

  • The Personal Essay is essential to demonstrate to schools the unique qualities that set you apart from the rest. 

  • The Why Essay details specifically why you want to attend the school in question. This essay is also an opportunity to communicate why you want to pursue the arts, a question every artist should be able to answer!

  • Additional Supplement Essays will allow you to expand on different experiences and aspects of your identity, all of which inform who you are as an artist.

For Pre-screens and Auditions:

Most acting programs will require two contrasting monologues. However, some programs will request two contemporary monologues (typically from plays written in the last 50 years), while others will require one monologue to be classical, or in verse (like Shakespeare). This likely means that you will need to prepare 3-5 monologues to audition at multiple schools. 

Additionally, if you are applying to Musical Theatre programs, you will likely need to prepare two contrasting songs, typically 16 to 32 bars each. Again, each school requires different styles of music, so it will likely require 3-5 songs to audition at multiple schools. 

Lastly, some schools will have miscellaneous requirements, whether it be a movement or dance sample, clips from previous performances, or responses to interview questions.

Needless to say, it is essential to be on top of each school’s requirements, and aware of each university’s deadlines.

Sample Schools

NYU Tisch (For an Acting BFA at NYU Tisch)

Tisch-audition-musical-theater

There is also an auditioned Musical Theatre Vocal Performance program through Steinhardt that has different requirements!

USC (for BFA in Acting for Stage, Screen and New Media)

pre screen-audition-USC-requirements

Feeling Overwhelmed?

The key to acing the college audition process is to: 1) stay organized and 2) start preparing early. 

For more specific information about applications to theater programs, look through our College Night Presentation below.

We are here to help you every step of the way, whether it’s making sure every piece of the puzzle is submitted on time, or helping you best describe who you are as an artist through stand-out essays. 

Schedule a free consultation with us and we’ll talk through your individualized pathway to success.

College AdmissionsNicole Albaneseba vs bfa, college guidance, choosing a college, ivy league