Program
No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredIn-Person OnlySelective25-40 StudentsUniversity App Required
Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
No Audition
Interview Required
Selective
25-40 Students
University App Required
Program Highlights
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
•Hands-on BA degree with focus on technical theatre, design, and backstage artistry
•Focus areas include scenic design, lighting, costume, stage management, or a personalized combination
TRAINING & FACILITIES
•Work in professional roadhouse environment at Brooks Center for the Performing Arts
•Hands-on experience with department productions alongside faculty and visiting professionals
•Collaborate with Audio Technology and Music students
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Devario D. Simmons — co-costume designer for Broadway's Thoughts of a Colored Man; assistant professor at Ithaca College
•Liz Haynes '17 — Assistant Professor / Technical Director at Vanderbilt University; created sustainability in the arts curriculum
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atClemson App
Apply atCoalition App
Apply atCommon App
Deadlines
Early ActionOct 15, 2026
Regular DecisionJan 1, 2027
Application Fee
$70Waiver
Program AppApplication
Deadlines
Early ActionOct 15, 2026
Regular DecisionJan 1, 2027
Auditions
On-Campus AuditionOct 25, 2025
On-Campus AuditionJan 31, 2026
Interview Requirements
PORTFOLIO (required)
•Bring portfolio and/or photographs of creative work
-Scenery, lighting, costume, or any backstage or design examples
ART SAMPLES (recommended)
•Bring samples of any artwork (drawings, paintings, etc.)
RESUME (required)
•Bring theatre/performance resume
HEADSHOT (required)
•Bring current headshot
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (required)
•TWO letters of recommendation
-Should speak to ability to succeed in performing arts
-Can be from director, teacher, principal, music teacher, etc.
Good to Know
APPLICATION PROCESS
•Apply to Clemson University first (Clemson App, Coalition App, or Common App)
•After submitting your application, audition information will be sent by email
•Follow the instructions in the email to schedule your portfolio review
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•IN-PERSON ONLY at Clemson campus — no virtual option available
•Consists of portfolio review + interview
•No performance audition required
PORTFOLIO REVIEW
•Present portfolio of creative work: scenery, lighting, costume, backstage, or design examples
•Bring samples of any artwork (drawings, paintings, etc.)
INTERVIEW
•Be prepared to discuss backstage work experience
-Stage management, running crews, design, etc.
Scholarship Info
THEATRE SCHOLARSHIPS
•Clemson University Centennial Theatre Scholarship Endowment — for students active in theatre
•Richard K. Sanders Scholarship Endowment — for students active in theatre
•Vincent Scholarship — for Performing Arts majors with Theatre concentration, based on academic excellence
THEATRE AWARDS
•Arthur and Myra Fear Theatre Arts Award — annual cash award to graduating senior for outstanding service to theatre
•Brunswick Yarns Award for Theatre Excellence — rising sophomore or junior for curricular and extracurricular theatre success
GENERAL PERFORMING ARTS
•Friends of Chip Egan Performing Arts Scholarship Endowment
•Bauer Family Endowed Grant-in-Aid — for students in the Department of Performing Arts
•Friends of the Brooks Center Grant-in-Aid — based on achievement, participation, and academic performance
•$100/semester grant-in-aid for students taking applied music lessons
•Must maintain minimum 2.0 GPA and full-time enrollment (12 credits/semester) to keep awards
Program info updated Mar 28, 2:20 PM
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
•Hands-on BA degree with focus on technical theatre, design, and backstage artistry
•Focus areas include scenic design, lighting, costume, stage management, or a personalized combination
TRAINING & FACILITIES
•Work in professional roadhouse environment at Brooks Center for the Performing Arts
•Hands-on experience with department productions alongside faculty and visiting professionals
•Collaborate with Audio Technology and Music students
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Devario D. Simmons — co-costume designer for Broadway's Thoughts of a Colored Man; assistant professor at Ithaca College
•Liz Haynes '17 — Assistant Professor / Technical Director at Vanderbilt University; created sustainability in the arts curriculum
Updated Mar 28, 2:20 PM
Academic School Information
4.43
Avg GPA (W)
38%
Admit Rate
87%
Grad Rate
23,300
Enrollment
$71,513
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$15,554
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$40,866
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$22,253
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$13,607
Family Income $30k - $48k$14,109
Family Income $48k - $75k$18,851
Family Income $75k - $110k$24,833
Family Income $110k+$27,922
