Our School of Theatre auditions between 1,000 and 1,300 applicants yearly. We then have the privilege of inviting a selection of those artists to join our first year Performance Core.
The undergraduate Performance Core is for BFA candidates pursuing a BFA in Acting or BFA in Theatre Arts––Performance. Applicants may submit as an Early Decision applicant for Early Decision 1 or Early Decision 2; A Regular Decision applicant; or a Transfer Student applicant.
Applying to Theatre at BU
There are two parts to the BU application process for prospective undergraduate (BFA) students:
1) Academic Review via the Common App, and
2) Artistic Review via the Acceptd portal
Applicants must complete both parts of the application process to be considered for admission to the BU School of Theatre. Applications for Boston University can be completed via the Common App. Once the Common App has been submitted, and applicants have received a BU ID, they can apply for an Artistic Review via Acceptd.
Students should apply with the Common App first in order to obtain their BU ID, although the due date is not until after the Acceptd due date for ED2 and Regular Decision applicants. If students submit their Acceptd application prior to obtaining their BU ID, they should email the School of Theatre’s Director of Admissions Matt Lupulio (mlupulio@bu.edu) with their BU ID once they receive it.
Artistic Reviews vary slightly depending on the core program for which you apply. Applicants must submit a prescreen through Acceptd.
In Acceptd, Performance Core applicants must choose from: Performance Core Early Decision 1, Performance Core Early Decision 2, or Performance Core Regular Decision, when selecting a “Program” in Acceptd. Performance Core is best suited for students pursuing BFA degree in Acting or Theatre Arts.
All artistic applications require a resume, headshot, and basic information questions. Our artistic applications also have an option for a letter of recommendation, although this is not required, in addition to an optional writing prompt.
For Performance Core applicants: Although students do not select their major until the end of their freshman year, we are interested in knowing what major applicants are interested in to review their materials more accurately.
For those interested in pursuing the Acting major – Students must submit 2 contrasting one-minute-long monologues. One is a standard monologue, while the other is a site-specific monologue including a secondary activity. Students are welcome to submit supplemental materials with their artistic application.
For those interested in pursuing the Theatre Arts: Performance major – Students must submit 2 contrasting one-minute-long monologues. One is a standard monologue, while the other is a site-specific monologue including a secondary activity. We also ask that students interested in pursuing the Theatre Arts major upload a third video, or piece of writing, detailing their experience and interest in aspects of theater aside from acting. Students are welcome to submit supplemental materials with their artistic application.
Please see below for more specific details.
Applicants selected from their prescreen will be invited for an interview or audition/interview through the Acceptd Platform messaging system, with details TBA (be sure to check your Acceptd inbox).
BFA Performance Core Application Instructions
Early Decision 1
Early Decision 1 applicants for undergraduate Performance Core should upload their materials to the Acceptd platform, and will be invited to schedule a Live-Virtual Artistic Review. Please note: Upon completion of Acceptd applications, all Early Decision 1 candidates will automatically receive a link to sign up for a virtual callback audition for the weekend of November 11 & 12, 2023.
Application Deadline (for CommonApp and Acceptd): November 1, 2024 Live-Virtual Audition Dates: November 9 & 10, 2024
REQUIRED MATERIALS
These materials are aimed at assessing where you are in your artistic process, and how that process, regardless of the number of productions you have worked on, evinces a level of artistic maturity, communal perspective, and capacious curiosity.
All Acceptd submissions must include:
A Resume listing:
Academic, professional, or artistic achievements
Work, volunteer, or community service experience
Experience in theatre, film, television, or related media
Specific training, workshops and/or courses in these fields
Monologue Instructions
For pre-screen auditions, we ask our prospective students to be prepared to share two contrasting pieces. In addition and not counted against your time, at the beginning of each video, please include a verbal introduction comprised of your name, title of piece or play, and name of playwright. Each piece should not exceed one minute.
Monologue One
Framing: A ‘medium shot,’ or framed from about mid-torso to the top of your head; be sure to stand against a plain wall or background and use clear, directed lighting so that it illuminates your face and eyes. You may sit or stand, and place your scene partner just off to the side of the camera lens or above it.
Monologue Two
Framing: Shoot this monologue as ‘site specific’; meaning, working outside of a neutral background and with a secondary activity.
Instructions:
Decide on a unique location and activity––these do not need to be based in the given circumstances of the piece.
You may have someone else hold your camera and follow you around as you move. However, please film this in one continuous shot (no editing).
This is your opportunity to have fun, take risks, and try something new. Show us your vision for the piece–there is no wrong way to do this!
Students interested in pursuing the Theatre Arts major should also include a recorded or written explanation of their experience and interest in studying Theatre Arts beyond performing.
* Be sure to watch the BU School of Theatre information video, and feel free to ask any questions you may have on the day of your audition.
ENCOURAGED SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
Optional additions to your submission may include:
A Letter of Recommendation
Please directly upload a letter from a mentor or instructor who can speak to your work and ethos as an artist and collaborator.
An Artistic Snapshot, some examples include:
An excerpt from a directing portfolio;
A scene or up to four pages of something you’ve written;
16 bars of any song (voice or instrument).
Writing Prompt, please answer the following question in 300-500 words:
“If you could invite an audience to watch your work, who would it be and why?”
Early Decision 2
Early Decision 2 applicants for undergraduate Performance Core should upload their materials to the Acceptd platform.
Those invited for an Artistic Review will be notified by mid- January.
Details on how to self-schedule will be included in the notification.
Application Deadlines:
Acceptd application: December 1, 2024
Common App: January 6, 2025
Live Virtual callbacks: January 11-12, 2025
Pre-Screen (or self-tape) Materials
The pre-screening phase, conducted through the Acceptd platform, is aimed at assessing where you are in your artistic process, and how that process, regardless of the number of productions you have worked on, evinces a level of artistic maturity, communal perspective, and capacious curiosity.
All Acceptd submissions must include:
A Resume listing:
Academic, professional, or artistic achievements
Work, volunteer, or community service experience
Experience in theatre, film, television, or related media
Specific training, workshops and/or courses in these fields
Monologue Instructions
For pre-screen auditions, we ask our prospective students to be prepared to share two contrasting pieces. In addition and not counted against your time, at the beginning of each video, please include a verbal introduction comprised of your name, title of piece or play, and name of playwright. Each piece should not exceed one minute.
Monologue One
Framing: A ‘medium shot,’ or framed from about mid-torso to the top of your head; be sure to stand against a plain wall or background and use clear, directed lighting so that it illuminates your face and eyes. You may sit or stand, and place your scene partner just off to the side of the camera lens or above it.
Monologue Two
Framing: Shoot this monologue as ‘site specific’; meaning, working outside of a neutral background and with a secondary activity.
Instructions:
Decide on a unique location and activity––these do not need to be based in the given circumstances of the piece.
You may have someone else hold your camera and follow you around as you move. However, please film this in one continuous shot (no editing).
This is your opportunity to have fun, take risks, and try something new. Show us your vision for the piece–there is no wrong way to do this!
Students interested in pursuing the Theatre Arts major should also include a recorded or written explanation of their experience and interest in studying Theatre Arts beyond performing.
* Be sure to watch the BU School of Theatre information video, and feel free to ask any questions you may have on the day of your audition.
ENCOURAGED SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
Optional additions to your submission may include:
A Letter of Recommendation
Please directly upload a letter from a mentor or instructor who can speak to your work and ethos as an artist and collaborator.
An Artistic Snapshot, some examples include:
An excerpt from a directing portfolio;
A scene or up to four pages of something you’ve written;
16 bars of any song (voice or instrument).
Writing Prompt, please answer the following question in 300-500 words:
“If you could invite an audience to watch your work, who would it be and why?”
Regular Decision
Regular Decision applicants for undergraduate Performance Core should upload their pre-screen materials to the Acceptd platform. Some applicants are then invited to participate in an Artistic Review. The Artistic Review, conducted either virtually or in person, is aimed at interrogating whether the CFA is poised to develop your unique potential and voice, and whether the amalgamation of tradition and innovation are ideally suited for your artistic growth.
Those invited for an Artistic Review will be notified by mid- January.
Details on how to self-schedule will be included in the notification.
Application Deadlines:
Acceptd application: December 1, 2024
Common App: January 6, 2025
Audition Dates:
Live-Virtual : January 18-19, 2025 In-Person New York City: January 24-27, 2025
In-Person Chicago: February 3-4, 2025
In-Person Boston: February 8-9, 2025
REQUIRED MATERIALS
All Acceptd submissions must include:
A Resume listing:
Academic, professional, or artistic achievements
Work, volunteer, or community service experience
Experience in theatre, film, television, or related media
Specific training, workshops and/or courses in these fields
Monologue Instructions
For pre-screen auditions, we ask our prospective students to be prepared to share two contrasting pieces. In addition and not counted against your time, at the beginning of each video, please include a verbal introduction comprised of your name, title of piece or play, and name of playwright. Each piece should not exceed one minute.
Monologue One
Framing: A ‘medium shot,’ or framed from about mid-torso to the top of your head; be sure to stand against a plain wall or background and use clear, directed lighting so that it illuminates your face and eyes. You may sit or stand, and place your scene partner just off to the side of the camera lens or above it.
Monologue Two
Framing: Shoot this monologue as ‘site specific’; meaning, working outside of a neutral background and with a secondary activity.
Instructions:
Decide on a unique location and activity––these do not need to be based in the given circumstances of the piece.
You may have someone else hold your camera and follow you around as you move. However, please film this in one continuous shot (no editing).
This is your opportunity to have fun, take risks, and try something new. Show us your vision for the piece–there is no wrong way to do this!
Students interested in pursuing the Theatre Arts major should also include a recorded or written explanation of their experience and interest in studying Theatre Arts beyond performing.
* Be sure to watch the BU School of Theatre information video, and feel free to ask any questions you may have on the day of your audition.
ENCOURAGED SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
Optional additions to your submission may include:
A Letter of Recommendation
Please directly upload a letter from a mentor or instructor who can speak to your work and ethos as an artist and collaborator.
An Artistic Snapshot, some examples include:
An excerpt from a directing portfolio;
A scene or up to four pages of something you’ve written;
16 bars of any song (voice or instrument).
Writing Prompt, please answer the following question in 300-500 words:
“If you could invite an audience to watch your work, who would it be and why?”
Transfer Students
Transfer applicants for undergraduate Performance Core, either from another BU College or from another school should upload their pre-screen materials to the Acceptd platform. Some applicants are then invited to participate in an Artistic Review. The Artistic Review, conducted either virtually or in person, is aimed at interrogating whether the CFA is poised to develop your unique potential and voice, and whether the amalgamation of tradition and innovation are ideally suited for your artistic growth.
Details on how to self-schedule will be included in the notification.
Application Deadline (CommonApp and Accepted): March 15, 2025 Live Virtual Audition weekend: March 22-23, 2025
REQUIRED MATERIALS
All submissions must include:
A Resume listing:
Academic, professional, or artistic achievements;
Work, volunteer, or community service experience;
Experience in theatre, film, television, or related media;
Specific training, workshops and/or courses in these fields;
One 1-minute monologue and a1-minute, self-directed movement piece
Pre-screen Instructions
In addition and not counted against your time, at the beginning of each video, please include a verbal introduction comprised of your name, title of piece or play, and name of playwright (if applicable). Each piece should not exceed one minute.
Monologue One
Framing: A ‘medium shot,’ or framed from about mid-torso to the top of your head; be sure to stand against a plain wall or background and use clear, directed lighting so that it illuminates your face and eyes. You may sit or stand, and place your scene partner just off to the side of the camera lens or above it.
Self-Directed Movement Piece
Framing: A ‘wide-shot’ framing your entire body and its relationship to your surroundings.
Instructions:
Decide on a unique location and theme.
Develop a beginning, middle, and end to your piece.
Work in a way that is safe and takes care of your instrument.
Students interested in pursuing the Theatre Arts major should also include a recorded or written explanation of their experience and interest in studying Theatre Arts beyond performing.
* Be sure to watch the BU School of Theatre information video, and feel free to ask any questions you may have on the day of your audition.
ENCOURAGED SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
Optional additions to your submission may include:
A Letter of Recommendation:
Please directly upload a letter from a mentor or instructor who can speak to your work and ethos as an artist and collaborator.
An Artistic Snapshot, some examples include:
An excerpt from a directing portfolio;
A scene or up to four pages of something you’ve written;
16 bars of any song (voice or instrument).
Writing Prompt, please answer the following question in 300-500 words:
“If you could invite an audience to watch your work, who would it be and why?”
