Private school860

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA

Test-OptionalLGBTQ+

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 Students

Browse programs

Quick Links

BFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 Students

Quick Links

BFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 Students

Quick Links

MFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Quick Links

BFA Experience Design and Production

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

•First US college dedicated specifically to visual and performing arts degrees

•Notable alumni include Don Cheadle, Ed Harris, Alison Brie, Katey Sagal, Cecily Strong

Training

•Center for New Performance (CNP) provides professional production opportunities

•Industry showcases in NYC and LA for graduating actors

Professional Development

•Cross-disciplinary collaboration with filmmakers, animators, dancers, musicians, visual artists

Academic info

Snapshot

32%

Admit Rate

school-wide

65%

Grad Rate

860

Enrollment

$41K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$46,080

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$58,996

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$26,686

$30-48k$40,899

$48-75k$51,847

$75-110k$38,627

$110k+$58,873

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated May 27, 1:16 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•First US college dedicated specifically to visual and performing arts degrees

•Notable alumni include Don Cheadle, Ed Harris, Alison Brie, Katey Sagal, Cecily Strong

Training

•Center for New Performance (CNP) provides professional production opportunities

•Industry showcases in NYC and LA for graduating actors

Professional Development

•Cross-disciplinary collaboration with filmmakers, animators, dancers, musicians, visual artists

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•First US college dedicated specifically to visual and performing arts degrees

•Notable alumni include Don Cheadle, Ed Harris, Alison Brie, Katey Sagal, Cecily Strong

Training

•Center for New Performance (CNP) provides professional production opportunities

•Industry showcases in NYC and LA for graduating actors

Professional Development

•Cross-disciplinary collaboration with filmmakers, animators, dancers, musicians, visual artists

Expert Tips

Be very game to play and get weird at CalArts auditions!

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$85Waiver

Deadline

Regular DecisionJan 5, 2026

Regular DecisionRolling

Program AppApplication

Deadline

Regular DeadlineJan 5, 2026

Auditions

On-Campus (CalArts, Valencia, CA)Jan 17, 2026

On-Campus (CalArts, Valencia, CA)Jan 18, 2026

New York City (Ripley Grier Studios)Jan 23, 2026

New York City (Ripley Grier Studios)Jan 24, 2026

New York City (Ripley Grier Studios)Jan 25, 2026

Virtual (Zoom)Jan 31, 2026

Chicago (Palmer House Hilton)Feb 2, 2026

Chicago (Palmer House Hilton)Feb 3, 2026

On-Campus (CalArts, Valencia, CA)Feb 7, 2026

On-Campus (CalArts, Valencia, CA)Feb 8, 2026

Program Submission

Monologues

Requirements

•Two Contrasting MONOLOGUES, max 2 minutes each

•One Shakespeare monologue

•One contemporary published play monologue

•Record each monologue as a SEPARATE FILE and upload individually

Additional Materials

Headshot

•Portrait orientation preferred

Resume

Artist statement (1 page single-spaced or 2 pages double-spaced)

•What informs your art-making practice

•Why CalArts Acting program

•Your artistic goals

•Stories you want to tell / communities you hope to reach

•What inspires you about the current moment in history

Optional supplements (up to 4 files)

•Scripts (excerpts totaling no more than 10 pages)

•Documentation of directing projects (video max 8 min total)

•Films you have acted in or collaborated on

•Voiceover work

•Other fine arts work

Official Source

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Requirements

•Two Contrasting MONOLOGUES, max 2 minutes each

•One Shakespeare monologue

•One contemporary published play monologue

•Have one additional monologue in reserve (faculty may request)

Additional Materials

•Bring 1 PRINTED HEADSHOT (portrait orientation preferred) and resume to audition

Official Source

Good to Know

Eligibility

•In-person audition REQUIRED for all residents of 48 contiguous US states + DC — no exceptions

•Virtual audition available ONLY for international students or those in AK, HI, or PR

Enrollment

•Applications accepted on a rolling basis after the January 5 deadline until the program closes

Program Requirements

•Video self-tapes of monologues required IN ADDITION TO the in-person audition

•Submit self-tape materials with your application

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•Submit audition form at least 1 WEEK BEFORE your audition date

•Sign up for audition date and location after submitting application

Scholarship Info

•Merit-based institutional scholarships and grants awarded based on artistic talent demonstrated in application and audition

•Financial aid packages may include institutional, state, and federal funds

•Contact finaid@calarts.edu or 661-253-7869 for details

Academic info

Snapshot

32%

Admit Rate

school-wide

65%

Grad Rate

860

Enrollment

$41K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$46,080

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$58,996

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$26,686

$30-48k$40,899

$48-75k$51,847

$75-110k$38,627

$110k+$58,873

View full data on College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•First US college dedicated specifically to visual and performing arts degrees

•Notable alumni include Don Cheadle, Ed Harris, Alison Brie, Katey Sagal, Cecily Strong

Training

•Center for New Performance (CNP) provides professional production opportunities

•Industry showcases in NYC and LA for graduating actors

Professional Development

•Cross-disciplinary collaboration with filmmakers, animators, dancers, musicians, visual artists

Updated May 27, 1:16 AM

California Institute of the Arts

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Expert Tips

Key Info

Program Submission

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Expert Tips

Key Info

Program Submission

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info

California Institute of the Arts

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Expert Tips

Key Info

Program Submission

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Expert Tips

Key Info

Program Submission

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info