Theatre Application Requirements

Theatre applicants must specify a concentration in Acting, Directing, Dramaturgy, Playwriting, Stage Management, or Theatre Management & Producing on their application. In addition to your application, undergraduate transcript, three letters of recommendation, and application fee, you must provide the following creative materials. Please see the Admissions page for all information.

ALL applicants MUST submit the following:

  1. Brief autobiography: Approximately 500 words summarizing your life and theatrical experience.
     
  2. Statement of theatrical and personal objectives: Approximately 500 words describing the theatrical people, places, and principles that have inspired and guided your aesthetic. 
     
  3. Current theatrical resume

Applicants must ALSO submit materials for the concentration they specify, as outlined below:

  1. A full-sized (8.5” x 11”) headshot in a high resolution format.
     
  2. Two audition pieces. Please present two (2) contrasting monologues, one classical and one contemporary, each lasting one (1) to one and a half (1.5) minutes long.

For the first round of auditions, applicants can either upload an audition video in the application system OR audition in person in Chicago or San Francisco. Chicago and San Francisco audition dates are as follows:

  • Chicago - January 30th and 31st, Location: Hyatt Regency Chicago
  • San Francisco - February 3rd and 4th, Location: ACT Toni Rembe Theatre

All callbacks will be required in person in New York on March 17–18th. There will be no video option for callbacks.

All auditions are required to be presented in English.

A video that shows your best work as a director. The video should be 15 to 20 minutes long and  it is strongly recommended that applicants upload videos through our online application. If you do not have a video to submit, you may use a portfolio, but a video is strongly encouraged. Auditions are held by invitation only over one weekend in February.

Two (2) writing samples between 5 to 15 pages each. Both pieces must be about the theatre in some way. The first of the two pieces MUST be an academic/analytical work. The second may be a translation into English from any language, a review, theatre article, a personal reflective essay or another creative piece of writing.

One full-length, or two one-act plays.

Production materials from plays, musicals, operas, concerts, experiential entertainments, and/or corporate events in which you worked as a stage manager or assistant stage manager: all of these are acceptable for your application. These materials must be created by you and demonstrate a strong knowledge of generally accepted “best practices” in terms of stage management methodologies. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please try to include at least one example of each of the following: calling script pages, shift plots, blocking or dance notation, prop & costume tracking sheets, production calendars, daily rehearsal schedules, and e-mails or memos that highlight your leadership and communication skills. Video and/or audio clips of your work in practice will also be accepted. Every attempt will be made to accommodate qualified applicants with disabilities (e.g. mental health, learning, chronic health, physical, hearing, vision, neurological, etc.)

Please choose one of the following:

  1. A press and publicity portfolio, size not to exceed the equivalent of one 1” three-ring binder.

  2. A portfolio of work you have created in the field of theatre management and/or producing, size not to exceed the equivalent of one 1" three-ring binder.

  3. A play analysis. This item should be in essay form, no longer than 750 words. Please select any play or musical and (a) explain why you chose it and (b) analyze the management and production issues you might confront in mounting a full production and how these problems might be solved or avoided altogether.

Interviews for each concentration will be scheduled at the discretion of the Admissions Committee for each concentration.