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University of Colorado - Boulder

Boulder, CO

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Theatre

Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Colorado’s original BFA acting program, founded in 1978

Conservatory-style actor training within a liberal arts education

Each class works as an ensemble for three years exploring craft and creating work together

Rigorous sequence of acting, voice, and movement courses from classics to contemporary

Performance & Productions

Colorado Shakespeare Festival hires 4 Theatre & Dance students each summer as paid acting interns with Equity Membership Candidate points

Students expected to audition for season productions

Notable Alumni

Brian Dietzen (Theatre ’00) — Dr. Jimmy Palmer on CBS’s NCIS since 2004

Erinn Hayes (Theatre ’98) — CBS’s Kevin Can Wait, Desperate Housewives, Parks and Recreation

Eme Ikwuakor (Theatre ’08) — ABC’s Inhumans, science-fiction film Ink

School Info

Snapshot

3.76

Avg GPA (W)

78%

Admit Rate

school-wide

74%

Grad Rate

31.9K

Enrollment

$70K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$15,014

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$46,058

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$39,992

Before aid

Average Net Price

$25,346

After aid

Example Aid · colorado.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Colorado’s original BFA acting program, founded in 1978

Conservatory-style actor training within a liberal arts education

Each class works as an ensemble for three years exploring craft and creating work together

Rigorous sequence of acting, voice, and movement courses from classics to contemporary

Performance & Productions

Colorado Shakespeare Festival hires 4 Theatre & Dance students each summer as paid acting interns with Equity Membership Candidate points

Students expected to audition for season productions

Notable Alumni

Brian Dietzen (Theatre ’00) — Dr. Jimmy Palmer on CBS’s NCIS since 2004

Erinn Hayes (Theatre ’98) — CBS’s Kevin Can Wait, Desperate Housewives, Parks and Recreation

Eme Ikwuakor (Theatre ’08) — ABC’s Inhumans, science-fiction film Ink

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Colorado’s original BFA acting program, founded in 1978

Conservatory-style actor training within a liberal arts education

Each class works as an ensemble for three years exploring craft and creating work together

Rigorous sequence of acting, voice, and movement courses from classics to contemporary

Performance & Productions

Colorado Shakespeare Festival hires 4 Theatre & Dance students each summer as paid acting interns with Equity Membership Candidate points

Students expected to audition for season productions

Notable Alumni

Brian Dietzen (Theatre ’00) — Dr. Jimmy Palmer on CBS’s NCIS since 2004

Erinn Hayes (Theatre ’98) — CBS’s Kevin Can Wait, Desperate Housewives, Parks and Recreation

Eme Ikwuakor (Theatre ’08) — ABC’s Inhumans, science-fiction film Ink

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Fees

Domestic Fee

$65

International Fee

$70

Deadline

Early ActionNov 15, 2026

Regular DecisionJan 15, 2027

First Year · colorado.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

BFA Acting · colorado.edu

Post-Enrollment Audition and Interview Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

No audition and interview is required for the initial application. This is an internal program gate students complete after enrolling at the university.Gateway source

Monologues

Requirements

Two Contrasting Monologues less than three minutes combined

Additional Materials

Headshot (Required)

Upload a full-page headshot no larger than 1 MB

Resume (Required)

One-page acting resume

Statement (Required)

Statement of intention, 250 words maximum

Describe a significant moment in your life that led you to pursue acting and your goals for training

Letters of Recommendation (Required)

Provide your acting instructor's name and email address so they can submit the reference portion

Scores / GPA

Cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 (C-) expected

BFA Acting · colorado.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Complete the online BFA Acting application and audition sign-up when the annual cycle opens

The official page still lists the March 1, 2026 application deadline and March 7, 2026 audition; no newer cycle dates were posted during this QA pass

Eligibility

Transfer students who have taken Acting 1 at a prior institution should consult the head of the Acting major

Incoming first-year students are not eligible to audition directly into BFA Acting

Must pass or be enrolled in Acting 1 (THTR 1003) before auditioning

Admission Pathway

Get admitted to CU Boulder as BA Theatre

Take Acting 1 during your first year if you have not already completed an equivalent course

Audition for BFA Acting in spring semester

If accepted, begin BFA curriculum sophomore year

Transfer Pathway

CU Boulder publishes an alternate-timeline route for BFA Acting transfer students: students who have taken Acting 1 should consult the Acting head, and the catalog says transfer students can complete the BFA Acting curriculum in as few as four semesters after the internal audition.

Theatre Bachelor Fine Arts BFA · catalog.colorado.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Incoming first-year students are not eligible to audition directly into BFA Acting

Must be enrolled at CU Boulder and pass or be enrolled in Acting 1 (THTR 1003)

Annual BFA Acting auditions are held in the spring semester

Audition Expectations

Admission is based on talent, academic record, motivation, and suitability

Prepare two contrasting monologues, less than three minutes combined

Brief 1-2 minute interview with BFA faculty follows the monologues

Must attend the ensemble workshop audition

Contact

Peer coaching available; email coloradobfa@gmail.com

Scholarship Info

Dorothy & Carl Nelson Shakespeare Acting Intern Endowed Scholarship Fund supports four paid acting internships each summer with Colorado Shakespeare Festival

Talent & Creativity Scholarships available — typically $250-$1,500

School Info

Snapshot

3.76

Avg GPA (W)

78%

Admit Rate

school-wide

74%

Grad Rate

31.9K

Enrollment

$70K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$15,014

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$46,058

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$39,992

Before aid

Average Net Price

$25,346

After aid

Example Aid · colorado.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Colorado’s original BFA acting program, founded in 1978

Conservatory-style actor training within a liberal arts education

Each class works as an ensemble for three years exploring craft and creating work together

Rigorous sequence of acting, voice, and movement courses from classics to contemporary

Performance & Productions

Colorado Shakespeare Festival hires 4 Theatre & Dance students each summer as paid acting interns with Equity Membership Candidate points

Students expected to audition for season productions

Notable Alumni

Brian Dietzen (Theatre ’00) — Dr. Jimmy Palmer on CBS’s NCIS since 2004

Erinn Hayes (Theatre ’98) — CBS’s Kevin Can Wait, Desperate Housewives, Parks and Recreation

Eme Ikwuakor (Theatre ’08) — ABC’s Inhumans, science-fiction film Ink

Updated 1d ago