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Avila University

Kansas City, MO

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No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

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BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Training

Liberal arts-based BA emphasizing broad theatre study across acting, directing, theatre history, criticism, design, lighting, costume work, and stagecraft

Casting and leadership positions are earned by talent, not seniority; freshmen can compete for roles alongside upperclassmen

Guaranteed internship or research experience before graduation through Kansas City theatre partnerships

Program led by Matt Schwader Harbor (MFA, University of Delaware PTTP), a professional actor with credits at The Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, The Old Globe, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Actors Theatre of Louisville

Avila students swept the KCACTF Region 5 Design & Technology Expo in 2025 with awards in lighting, costume design, and stage management

Performance & Productions

Students work on four productions each year and can gain stage or backstage experience early in the program

Recent seasons include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, 1984, The Cherry Orchard, RENT, The Curious Incident, and Spelling Bee

Access to the 200-seat Frantze Family Black Box Theatre for intimate and experimental work

Professional Development

Partnerships with New Theatre & Restaurant, Theatre for Young America, and Heart of America Shakespeare Festival

Students perform alongside working Kansas City professionals through company partnerships

Facilities

Goppert Performing Arts Center includes the main stage, Frantze Family Black Box Theatre, scene shop, two rehearsal halls, and Sue King Willcox Music Hall

Location

Kansas City, MO offers a regional theatre market with 100+ arts organizations

Over 19% of Avila undergraduates participate in performing arts

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.18

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

52%

Enrollment

1.3K

Earnings

$53K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$41,540

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$57,018

Before aid

Average net price

$16,053

After aid

Tuition · avila.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 30, 4:15 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Liberal arts-based BA emphasizing broad theatre study across acting, directing, theatre history, criticism, design, lighting, costume work, and stagecraft

Casting and leadership positions are earned by talent, not seniority; freshmen can compete for roles alongside upperclassmen

Guaranteed internship or research experience before graduation through Kansas City theatre partnerships

Avila students swept the KCACTF Region 5 Design & Technology Expo in 2025 with awards in lighting, costume design, and stage management

Performance & Productions

Students work on four productions each year and can gain stage or backstage experience early in the program

Recent seasons include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, 1984, The Cherry Orchard, RENT, The Curious Incident, and Spelling Bee

Access to the 200-seat Frantze Family Black Box Theatre for intimate and experimental work

Professional Development

Partnerships with New Theatre & Restaurant, Theatre for Young America, and Heart of America Shakespeare Festival

Students perform alongside working Kansas City professionals through company partnerships

Facilities

Goppert Performing Arts Center includes the main stage, Frantze Family Black Box Theatre, scene shop, two rehearsal halls, and Sue King Willcox Music Hall

Location

Kansas City, MO offers a regional theatre market with 100+ arts organizations

Over 19% of Avila undergraduates participate in performing arts

Program Highlights

Training

Liberal arts-based BA emphasizing broad theatre study across acting, directing, theatre history, criticism, design, lighting, costume work, and stagecraft

Casting and leadership positions are earned by talent, not seniority; freshmen can compete for roles alongside upperclassmen

Guaranteed internship or research experience before graduation through Kansas City theatre partnerships

Avila students swept the KCACTF Region 5 Design & Technology Expo in 2025 with awards in lighting, costume design, and stage management

Performance & Productions

Students work on four productions each year and can gain stage or backstage experience early in the program

Recent seasons include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, 1984, The Cherry Orchard, RENT, The Curious Incident, and Spelling Bee

Access to the 200-seat Frantze Family Black Box Theatre for intimate and experimental work

Professional Development

Partnerships with New Theatre & Restaurant, Theatre for Young America, and Heart of America Shakespeare Festival

Students perform alongside working Kansas City professionals through company partnerships

Facilities

Goppert Performing Arts Center includes the main stage, Frantze Family Black Box Theatre, scene shop, two rehearsal halls, and Sue King Willcox Music Hall

Location

Kansas City, MO offers a regional theatre market with 100+ arts organizations

Over 19% of Avila undergraduates participate in performing arts

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Application DeadlineDec 15, 2026

Regular DecisionRolling

Undergraduate · avila.edu

Submission Requirements

Transcript (Required)

Send high school transcripts; Avila also accepts GED or HiSet records

Send official college transcripts from every institution attended, if applicable

Undergraduate · avila.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Complete Avila's free undergraduate application at apply.avila.edu

Official ACT or SAT scores are optional

Submit by December 15 before your intended fall semester; Avila also states rolling admission

Submit the FAFSA between October 1 and February 1 for best aid opportunities

Transfer Pathway

Avila's theatre page directs BA Theatre students to transfer-credit resources, and the MCC agreement applies the first 60 MCC credits toward an Avila bachelor's in most cases, with up to 90 credits depending on the degree. BA Theatre students should confirm how transferred theatre courses fit the BA plan with Theatre advising.

13 7 Million Scholarship Commitment Provides A Low Cost Pathway To A Bachelors Degree From Avila University For Metropolitan Community College Students · avila.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Avila's current theatre and undergraduate admissions pages do not publish a separate audition, interview, or portfolio review requirement for the BA Theatre pathway

Admission is handled through the standard Avila undergraduate application process

Contact

Undergraduate Admissions: 816-501-2400

Theatre Department: Matt Schwader Harbor, 816-501-2405

Scholarship Info

Theatre-Related Aid

Performance Grant: amount varies; may be awarded to students demonstrating talent or interest in theatre

Avila Mission Grant: $1,000 annual; requires Avila alumni dependency or demonstrated talent/interest in theatre

University Aid

100% of Avila first-year students received scholarships or financial aid

Avila Achievement Scholarship: $25,000-$30,000 based on cumulative GPA and ACT scores

Financial Aid

Submit the FAFSA between October 1 and February 1 for best aid opportunities

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.18

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

52%

Enrollment

1.3K

Earnings

$53K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$41,540

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$57,018

Before aid

Average net price

$16,053

After aid

Tuition · avila.edu College Scorecard

Training

Liberal arts-based BA emphasizing broad theatre study across acting, directing, theatre history, criticism, design, lighting, costume work, and stagecraft

Casting and leadership positions are earned by talent, not seniority; freshmen can compete for roles alongside upperclassmen

Guaranteed internship or research experience before graduation through Kansas City theatre partnerships

Avila students swept the KCACTF Region 5 Design & Technology Expo in 2025 with awards in lighting, costume design, and stage management

Performance & Productions

Students work on four productions each year and can gain stage or backstage experience early in the program

Recent seasons include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, 1984, The Cherry Orchard, RENT, The Curious Incident, and Spelling Bee

Access to the 200-seat Frantze Family Black Box Theatre for intimate and experimental work

Professional Development

Partnerships with New Theatre & Restaurant, Theatre for Young America, and Heart of America Shakespeare Festival

Students perform alongside working Kansas City professionals through company partnerships

Facilities

Goppert Performing Arts Center includes the main stage, Frantze Family Black Box Theatre, scene shop, two rehearsal halls, and Sue King Willcox Music Hall

Location

Kansas City, MO offers a regional theatre market with 100+ arts organizations

Over 19% of Avila undergraduates participate in performing arts

Updated Aug 30, 4:15 PM