Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
No Audition
No Interview
University App Required
Program Highlights
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
•BA Theatre major open to students at Barnard College, Columbia College, and Columbia General Studies
•At Columbia the major is labeled 'Drama and Theatre Arts' but all students share the same Barnard Theatre faculty and requirements
•Theatre embedded within a rigorous liberal arts education where creative and critical work are treated as reciprocal
CURRICULUM & TRAINING
•All majors take courses in acting, directing, and design alongside theatre history, theory, and literature
•Senior thesis capstone required in either Performance or Research
•Average of 20-30 senior theatre majors, with over 300 students involved in productions each year
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
•Strong internship pipeline with NYC theatres including The Public Theater, Disney Theatricals, and HERE Arts Center
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Greta Gerwig '06 (English/Theatre concentration) — writer-director of Lady Bird, Little Women, and Barbie
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atCommon App
Deadlines
Early DecisionNov 1, 2025
Regular DecisionJan 11, 2026
Fee
$75Waiver
Good to Know
•Theatre Department does not handle admissions - contact Office of Admissions for Barnard or Columbia for application questions
What's The Process
ADMISSION
•No auditions for program admission — this is a BA program, not BFA
•Students may choose to major in theatre after admission to Barnard or Columbia
PRODUCTION AUDITIONS
•Auditions held at beginning of each semester for placement in productions
•Students prepare 60-second monologue for production auditions
Program info updated Mar 24, 12:56 AM
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
•BA Theatre major open to students at Barnard College, Columbia College, and Columbia General Studies
•At Columbia the major is labeled 'Drama and Theatre Arts' but all students share the same Barnard Theatre faculty and requirements
•Theatre embedded within a rigorous liberal arts education where creative and critical work are treated as reciprocal
CURRICULUM & TRAINING
•All majors take courses in acting, directing, and design alongside theatre history, theory, and literature
•Senior thesis capstone required in either Performance or Research
•Average of 20-30 senior theatre majors, with over 300 students involved in productions each year
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
•Strong internship pipeline with NYC theatres including The Public Theater, Disney Theatricals, and HERE Arts Center
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Greta Gerwig '06 (English/Theatre concentration) — writer-director of Lady Bird, Little Women, and Barbie
Updated Mar 24, 12:56 AM
Academic School Information
4.13
Avg GPA (W)
9%
Admit Rate
93%
Grad Rate
3,264
Enrollment
$80,516
Earnings
10yr after
Tuition & Fees
$69,888
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$28,800
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Family Income $0 - $30k$11,600
Family Income $30k - $48k$15,374
Family Income $48k - $75k$19,094
Family Income $75k - $110k$24,753
Family Income $110k+$51,378
