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Chapman University

Orange, CA

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Screen Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Performance & Productions

First-year students can audition for lead roles in student film productions

Senior-year BFA Actor Showcase with casting directors, managers, agents, and producers

Graduates exit with completed actor reel ready for professional work

Notable Alumni

Owen Painter — Isaac Night/Slurp in Netflix’s Wednesday, The Handmaid’s Tale

Leah McKendrick — writer/producer/actor; feature film M.F.A., writing Paramount’s Grease prequel Summer Loving

Location

Located just a short drive from Hollywood

Degree Flexibility

Interdisciplinary major offered jointly by Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and Department of Theatre

Coursework includes screenwriting, film technology, history of film, and applied TV courses

Program focuses on undergraduate education with small class sizes and personalized attention

School Info

Snapshot

3.75

Avg GPA (W)

65%

Admit Rate

school-wide

82%

Grad Rate

7.5K

Enrollment

$70K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$70,394

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$97,176

Before aid

Average Net Price

$46,555

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · chapman.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 28, 5:18 PM

Program Highlights

Performance & Productions

First-year students can audition for lead roles in student film productions

Senior-year BFA Actor Showcase with casting directors, managers, agents, and producers

Graduates exit with completed actor reel ready for professional work

Notable Alumni

Owen Painter — Isaac Night/Slurp in Netflix’s Wednesday, The Handmaid’s Tale

Leah McKendrick — writer/producer/actor; feature film M.F.A., writing Paramount’s Grease prequel Summer Loving

Location

Located just a short drive from Hollywood

Degree Flexibility

Interdisciplinary major offered jointly by Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and Department of Theatre

Coursework includes screenwriting, film technology, history of film, and applied TV courses

Program focuses on undergraduate education with small class sizes and personalized attention

Program Highlights

Performance & Productions

First-year students can audition for lead roles in student film productions

Senior-year BFA Actor Showcase with casting directors, managers, agents, and producers

Graduates exit with completed actor reel ready for professional work

Notable Alumni

Owen Painter — Isaac Night/Slurp in Netflix’s Wednesday, The Handmaid’s Tale

Leah McKendrick — writer/producer/actor; feature film M.F.A., writing Paramount’s Grease prequel Summer Loving

Location

Located just a short drive from Hollywood

Degree Flexibility

Interdisciplinary major offered jointly by Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and Department of Theatre

Coursework includes screenwriting, film technology, history of film, and applied TV courses

Program focuses on undergraduate education with small class sizes and personalized attention

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App· Only option

Fee

$70

Deadline

Chapman Common App deadline — Early Action / Early Decision I applicantsNov 1, 2026

Chapman Common App deadline — Regular Decision / Early Decision II applicantsJan 15, 2027

Recommended performing-arts transfer Common App deadline before Creative Supplement portal accessJan 15, 2027

Fall transfer Common App deadline; it must be submitted before the Creative SupplementFeb 15, 2027

Index · chapman.edu Talent Tips · chapman.edu How To Apply · chapman.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Deadline

Creative Supplement Deadline (Early Action / Early Decision I)Nov 6, 2026

Recommended Transfer Deadline (Performing Arts)Jan 15, 2027

Creative Supplement Deadline (Regular Decision / Early Decision II)Jan 20, 2027

Transfer Creative Supplement Priority DeadlineFeb 15, 2027

Creative Supplement · chapman.edu Talent Tips · chapman.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Monologues

Requirements

Two 60-second Monologues

Introduction: Slate yourself and both monologues by speaking your name, each character's name, each play's title, and the name of each playwright (no longer than 30 seconds)

First monologue: Comedic monologue from any contemporary play (60 seconds maximum)

Second monologue: Dramatic monologue from any contemporary play (60 seconds maximum)

Material Selection

Choose monologue from a published play (film and television monologues discouraged)

Choose character close to your age that you could be cast as

Choose active monologue — know who you are talking to and what you want from them

What to Avoid

Avoid dialects, excessive prop use, cartoon characters, and overdone monologues

Wildcard / Special Skill

Submit a video that showcases a special skill that tells us about who you are. Examples may include hula-hooping, figure skating, playing an instrument, painting, rollerblading, sky diving, dancing, and surfing. No additional monologues or poems. No more than 60 seconds.

Additional Materials

Theatre Resume

Highlight training, teachers, performance and technical experience

Include theatre/director names, media work, awards, and scholarships

Goal Statement (1,000 Words Max)

Explain how you envision yourself contributing to the film industry and society as a student and artist

Explain how studying theatre at Chapman will prepare you for a life in screen acting

Letters of Recommendation

Submit at least one teacher recommendation through the Common App

Talent-major applicants are encouraged to submit a second letter from someone who can speak to creative abilities

Photograph

Upload a photo so the department can identify you; professional headshot not required

Creative Supplement · chapman.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Additional Materials

Live Callback

Select applicants are invited to a live on-campus audition callback to meet program directors and answer additional questions

Callback invitations go out on a rolling basis throughout the application cycle

Creative Supplement · chapman.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit the Common Application first; Application Status Page access arrives within 24-48 hours

Upload all Creative Supplement materials (videos, resume, goal statement, photo) through the Application Status Page

Creative Supplement is due five days after the application deadline; Chapman recommends submitting the Common App a few days early so uploads can be completed on time

Use the Common App deadline for your chosen admission plan. Early Action or Early Decision is not required for Creative Supplement access; Regular Decision applicants also gain access after submitting the Common App.

Early Action is nonbinding. Early Decision I and II are binding admission options.

Important Notes

Cannot transfer into BFA Screen Acting once enrolled at Chapman - first-year and external transfer applicants only

In-person auditions are highly recommended because of the interactive nature of the live audition

Transfer Pathway

Chapman's theatre FAQ says transfer applicants may audition for the BFA Screen Acting program. Typical completion is three years, depending on prior acting and film/film studies coursework and the applicant's technique level.

FAQ · chapman.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Select Screen Acting applicants will be invited to a live, on-campus audition callback to meet program directors and answer additional questions

Invites to live auditions go out on a rolling basis throughout the application cycle

Live auditions also available in New York or Chicago (applicant's choice)

For those who cannot attend in person, the Creative Supplement audition may be viewed as the final audition plus a phone interview or Zoom session

Scholarship Info

Department of Theatre has limited number of Talent Awards for incoming first-year and transfer students

Students must be listed as theatre majors on admissions applications to be eligible

Consideration made at audition/interview, students notified with financial aid package or shortly thereafter

School Info

Snapshot

3.75

Avg GPA (W)

65%

Admit Rate

school-wide

82%

Grad Rate

7.5K

Enrollment

$70K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$70,394

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$97,176

Before aid

Average Net Price

$46,555

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · chapman.edu College Scorecard

Performance & Productions

First-year students can audition for lead roles in student film productions

Senior-year BFA Actor Showcase with casting directors, managers, agents, and producers

Graduates exit with completed actor reel ready for professional work

Notable Alumni

Owen Painter — Isaac Night/Slurp in Netflix’s Wednesday, The Handmaid’s Tale

Leah McKendrick — writer/producer/actor; feature film M.F.A., writing Paramount’s Grease prequel Summer Loving

Location

Located just a short drive from Hollywood

Degree Flexibility

Interdisciplinary major offered jointly by Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and Department of Theatre

Coursework includes screenwriting, film technology, history of film, and applied TV courses

Program focuses on undergraduate education with small class sizes and personalized attention

Updated Aug 28, 5:18 PM