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American University

Washington, DC

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

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BA Theatre

Theatre and Social Justice

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 StudentsStudy AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Theatre and Social Justice

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Directing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Playwriting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Design and Production

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Music

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Popular Music Performance and Enterprise

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective12-24 StudentsStudy AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Training

•Theatre and Social Justice is one of six specializations inside AU's BA Theatre major

•Required coursework includes Introduction to Performing Arts and Social Action, a practicum, and Art, Performance, and Politics

•The specialization connects theatre practice to civic engagement, community work, and political inquiry

Location

•Washington, DC gives students direct proximity to advocacy organizations, public institutions, and socially engaged arts communities

•The liberal arts BA leaves room for interdisciplinary study beyond the department

Value

•Completing this specialization also satisfies the Social Action, Justice, and the Performing Arts undergraduate certificate

•Production participation keeps the concentration grounded in making work as well as studying it

School Info

Snapshot

3.65

Avg GPA

62%

Admit Rate

school-wide

75%

Grad Rate

7.3K

Enrollment

$77K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$64,652

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$87,374

Before aid

Average Net Price

$41,943

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Training

•Theatre and Social Justice is one of six specializations inside AU's BA Theatre major

•Required coursework includes Introduction to Performing Arts and Social Action, a practicum, and Art, Performance, and Politics

•The specialization connects theatre practice to civic engagement, community work, and political inquiry

Location

•Washington, DC gives students direct proximity to advocacy organizations, public institutions, and socially engaged arts communities

•The liberal arts BA leaves room for interdisciplinary study beyond the department

Value

•Completing this specialization also satisfies the Social Action, Justice, and the Performing Arts undergraduate certificate

•Production participation keeps the concentration grounded in making work as well as studying it

Program Highlights

Training

•Theatre and Social Justice is one of six specializations inside AU's BA Theatre major

•Required coursework includes Introduction to Performing Arts and Social Action, a practicum, and Art, Performance, and Politics

•The specialization connects theatre practice to civic engagement, community work, and political inquiry

Location

•Washington, DC gives students direct proximity to advocacy organizations, public institutions, and socially engaged arts communities

•The liberal arts BA leaves room for interdisciplinary study beyond the department

Value

•Completing this specialization also satisfies the Social Action, Justice, and the Performing Arts undergraduate certificate

•Production participation keeps the concentration grounded in making work as well as studying it

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Fee

$75

Deadline

Early application deadlineNov 1, 2026

Early Decision IIRegular DecisionJan 15, 2027

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Apply

SlideRoom

Auditions

Optional In-Person Interview Session

Nov 7, 2026Feb 6–7, 2027

Zoom InterviewFeb 2, 2027

Official Source

Interview Requirements

Five-Minute Production Presentation

•Required for non-performance BA Theatre applicants

•Discuss a production from the perspective of your primary area of interest

•You may focus on a production you worked on or one you would like to work on

•Supporting materials from past productions are welcome

Additional Materials

Resume

•Required resume of theatrical experience in SlideRoom

Creative Sample

•Creative samples from past productions may be shared for your primary area of interest

Letters of Recommendation

•Optional but highly encouraged; up to 1 reference may be submitted

•Ask your recommender to submit the letter no later than your interview date

Official SourceVerified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Submit the BA - Theatre Non-Performer supplement via SlideRoom

•University application via Common App

•You only need a Common App ID to open SlideRoom; the full university application can be completed later

Admission Pathway

•This non-performance process is used for BA Theatre applicants pursuing directing, playwriting, design-focused, social-justice, and general theatre study paths

•Current AU students should email theatreauditions@american.edu to declare interest in interviewing

Transfer Pathway

AU includes transfer students in the theatre/musical theatre audition or interview cycle, and eligible community-college transfers can use American Transfer Advantage credit evaluation and advising. Program admission still requires the department audition/interview process, so transfer credit does not replace artistic approval.

Official Source

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Submit the SlideRoom form first, then the program emails your assigned time

•If you cannot attend the live interview, upload a video presentation instead

•Questions: theatreauditions@american.edu

Audition Expectations

•Non-performance BA Theatre applicants interview with faculty rather than present monologues

•The primary live interview date is February 2, 2027 on Zoom

•The program page also welcomes non-performance applicants to request in-person sessions on November 7, 2026 and February 6-7, 2027

•Interviews usually include two AU professors and run about 15 minutes total

•Prepare a five-minute presentation about a production from the perspective of your primary area of interest

•Supporting materials from past productions are welcome

•If you cannot join the live interview, you may upload a video recording of your presentation in SlideRoom

Scholarship Info

Available Awards

•All students who audition for the faculty audition panel are automatically considered for AU Theatre and Musical Theatre Program scholarships

•Greenberg Scholarship honors outstanding Theatre and Musical Theatre students through faculty vote

•Annual Merit Awards recognize class work, performance, design and production, management, and service

•Senior Awards are also presented each spring

Details

•Awards range from $100 to several thousand dollars depending on funding availability and program needs

•Initial award notifications are usually sent by late April

•Questions: theatre@american.edu or theatreauditions@american.edu

School Info

Snapshot

3.65

Avg GPA

62%

Admit Rate

school-wide

75%

Grad Rate

7.3K

Enrollment

$77K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$64,652

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$87,374

Before aid

Average Net Price

$41,943

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•Theatre and Social Justice is one of six specializations inside AU's BA Theatre major

•Required coursework includes Introduction to Performing Arts and Social Action, a practicum, and Art, Performance, and Politics

•The specialization connects theatre practice to civic engagement, community work, and political inquiry

Location

•Washington, DC gives students direct proximity to advocacy organizations, public institutions, and socially engaged arts communities

•The liberal arts BA leaves room for interdisciplinary study beyond the department

Value

•Completing this specialization also satisfies the Social Action, Justice, and the Performing Arts undergraduate certificate

•Production participation keeps the concentration grounded in making work as well as studying it

Updated 1d ago