Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
No Audition
No Interview
University App Required
Study Abroad
Program Highlights
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Todd Rosenthal '89 — Tony Award for Best Scenic Design (August: Osage County), Olivier Award winner, Northwestern professor
•Francesca Zambello '78 — Artistic director of Washington National Opera and Glimmerglass Festival, directed at Met Opera, La Scala, and Covent Garden
•Jay Chandrasekhar '90 — Director/actor, co-founded comedy troupe Broken Lizard at Colgate (from student improv group Charred Goosebeak), directed Super Troopers
•Ted Griffin '93 — Screenwriter (Ocean's Eleven, Matchstick Men)
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
•Learn-by-doing approach through studio courses, rehearsals, and public performances
•Integrates analytical, physical, emotional, and interpersonal intelligence
•Curriculum spans acting, directing, theater history, stagecraft, design, playwriting, dance, and screenwriting
•Cross-listed courses with the English department including Shakespeare and drama
PRODUCTIONS & PERFORMANCE
•Up to four mainstage theater and dance productions per year
•All students welcome to audition for productions regardless of major
•Production participation carries a full course credit
•Student theater and improv groups including Charred Goosebeak
FACILITIES
•Dana Arts Center and Brehmer Theater
•Award-winning faculty and close-knit department community
DEGREE STRUCTURE
•Nine-course major with Senior Seminar capstone
•40 hours of backstage or technical work required beyond coursework
•Participation in at least one University Theater production required
•Honors and High Honors tracks available
STUDY ABROAD
•THEA 332: Theater and Performance on the International Stage — semester-long London study group with weekly play attendance
LIBERAL ARTS ADVANTAGE
•9:1 student-to-faculty ratio with average class size of 17
•200+ student clubs and organizations
•Graduates pursue careers in theater, communications, media, business, law, and technology
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atCommon App
Apply atCoalition on Scoir
Apply atQuestBridge
Apply atSchool Website
Deadlines
Early DecisionNov 1, 2025
Early Decision IIJan 15, 2026
Regular DecisionJan 15, 2026
Fee
$60Waiver
Waived for students applying for financial aid
Good to Know
APPLICATION OPTIONS
•Common App, Coalition Application on Scoir, or QuestBridge Application accepted
•Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are optional
ENROLLMENT
•Theater major declared after admission to the university
•Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 required in all courses counted toward the major
What's The Process
ADMISSION PROCESS
•No audition or portfolio required
•Admission is through the university application only
•Declare the theater major after enrollment — no pre-admission to the department
Program info updated 4d ago
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Todd Rosenthal '89 — Tony Award for Best Scenic Design (August: Osage County), Olivier Award winner, Northwestern professor
•Francesca Zambello '78 — Artistic director of Washington National Opera and Glimmerglass Festival, directed at Met Opera, La Scala, and Covent Garden
•Jay Chandrasekhar '90 — Director/actor, co-founded comedy troupe Broken Lizard at Colgate (from student improv group Charred Goosebeak), directed Super Troopers
•Ted Griffin '93 — Screenwriter (Ocean's Eleven, Matchstick Men)
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
•Learn-by-doing approach through studio courses, rehearsals, and public performances
•Integrates analytical, physical, emotional, and interpersonal intelligence
•Curriculum spans acting, directing, theater history, stagecraft, design, playwriting, dance, and screenwriting
•Cross-listed courses with the English department including Shakespeare and drama
PRODUCTIONS & PERFORMANCE
•Up to four mainstage theater and dance productions per year
•All students welcome to audition for productions regardless of major
•Production participation carries a full course credit
•Student theater and improv groups including Charred Goosebeak
FACILITIES
•Dana Arts Center and Brehmer Theater
•Award-winning faculty and close-knit department community
DEGREE STRUCTURE
•Nine-course major with Senior Seminar capstone
•40 hours of backstage or technical work required beyond coursework
•Participation in at least one University Theater production required
•Honors and High Honors tracks available
STUDY ABROAD
•THEA 332: Theater and Performance on the International Stage — semester-long London study group with weekly play attendance
LIBERAL ARTS ADVANTAGE
•9:1 student-to-faculty ratio with average class size of 17
•200+ student clubs and organizations
•Graduates pursue careers in theater, communications, media, business, law, and technology
Updated 4d ago
Academic School Information
3.85
Avg GPA (W)
14%
Admit Rate
91%
Grad Rate
3,180
Enrollment
$85,139
Earnings
10yr after
Tuition & Fees
$70,306
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$28,786
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$6,086
Family Income $30k - $48k$2,678
Family Income $48k - $75k$13,617
Family Income $75k - $110k$21,831
Family Income $110k+$48,234
