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Cornell College

Mount Vernon, IA

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Program

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

BA Theatre

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

One Course At A Time block plan: 18-day immersive focus per course

Featured in Colleges That Change Lives since 1996

Flexibility to combine theatre with other fields of study or a double major

Training

Broad generalist training across all aspects of theatre

Core: Basic Acting, Stagecraft, Costume Construction

Five additional elective courses from Theatre and Dance (two at 300-level or above)

Capstone departmental portfolio presentation in final semester

Professional Development

Alumni pursue graduate study at programs including University of Iowa, Brown/Trinity Rep, Florida State/Asolo Conservatory

Facilities

Kimmel Theatre and Plumb-Fleming Black Box Studio

Regional partnerships: Riverside Theatre, The Old Creamery Theater, Creede Repertory Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids

Guest artists and industry professionals visit campus

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.60

Admit rate

80%

school-wide

Grad rate

62%

Enrollment

1.1K

Earnings

$53K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$56,734

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$73,578

Before aid

Average net price

$23,634

After aid

Cost Of Attendance.Shtml · cornellcollege.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 30, 7:06 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

One Course At A Time block plan: 18-day immersive focus per course

Featured in Colleges That Change Lives since 1996

Flexibility to combine theatre with other fields of study or a double major

Training

Broad generalist training across all aspects of theatre

Core: Basic Acting, Stagecraft, Costume Construction

Five additional elective courses from Theatre and Dance (two at 300-level or above)

Capstone departmental portfolio presentation in final semester

Professional Development

Alumni pursue graduate study at programs including University of Iowa, Brown/Trinity Rep, Florida State/Asolo Conservatory

Facilities

Kimmel Theatre and Plumb-Fleming Black Box Studio

Regional partnerships: Riverside Theatre, The Old Creamery Theater, Creede Repertory Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids

Guest artists and industry professionals visit campus

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

One Course At A Time block plan: 18-day immersive focus per course

Featured in Colleges That Change Lives since 1996

Flexibility to combine theatre with other fields of study or a double major

Training

Broad generalist training across all aspects of theatre

Core: Basic Acting, Stagecraft, Costume Construction

Five additional elective courses from Theatre and Dance (two at 300-level or above)

Capstone departmental portfolio presentation in final semester

Professional Development

Alumni pursue graduate study at programs including University of Iowa, Brown/Trinity Rep, Florida State/Asolo Conservatory

Facilities

Kimmel Theatre and Plumb-Fleming Black Box Studio

Regional partnerships: Riverside Theatre, The Old Creamery Theater, Creede Repertory Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids

Guest artists and industry professionals visit campus

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

These Fall 2026 enrollment dates have passed — dates for the next cycle aren't available yet.

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

International Fee

$50

Deadline

Regular DecisionMay 1, 2026

Index.Shtml · cornellcollege.edu

Program AppApplication

Deadline

Fine Arts Award ApplicationMar 1, 2026

Fine Arts Award Audition/PortfolioMay 1, 2026

Auditions

Fine Arts Audition Day

Dec 12, 2025Feb 16, 2026

Index.Shtml · cornellcollege.edu

Scholarship Audition, Interview, and Portfolio 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.

Optional audition, interview, and portfolio for scholarship consideration only; they are not required for program admission.

Monologues

Acting Scholarship Option

Acting applicants prepare two contrasting monologues

Submit as a recorded audition or schedule a live on-campus audition

Dress professionally for live or recorded auditions

Additional Materials

Headshot (Required)

Upload a recent 8x10 full-color headshot for Theatre and Dance Award consideration

Resume (Required)

Submit a theatre resume

Portfolio (If Applicable)

Directing applicants submit pre-production materials from a director's notebook and corresponding images of the production

Production: Design, Technology, Stage Management applicants submit photos of work and/or corresponding paperwork

Creative Sample (If Applicable)

Playwriting/Dramaturgy applicants submit a writing sample

Letters of Recommendation (Required)

Submit a recommendation letter from a theatre director or teacher

Questionnaire

Provide a brief statement about your interest in theatre

Complete theatre experience questionnaire: list three theatre experiences with role/position, production, organization, and director

Fine Arts Scholarships · cornellcollege.edu

Good to Know

Application Process

Apply via Common App or Cornell College admission portal

Free application for US residents; $50 for international students

Scholarship Application

Separate Fine Arts Award Application required for scholarship consideration

Application deadline: March 1

Audition/portfolio deadline: May 1

Enrollment

Fall enrollment

One Course At A Time (OCAAT) block plan

What's The Process

Audition Process

Admission is through Cornell College application only

No audition required for program admission

Optional Fine Arts Award audition ($1,000-$5,000 per year)

Complete Fine Arts Award Application by March 1

Audition/portfolio deadline: May 1

On-campus audition days, individual audition/interview, or recorded submission accepted

Contact: finearts@cornellcollege.edu

Scholarship Info

Fine Arts Awards

$1,000-$5,000 per academic year, renewable up to four years

Available to any admitted student, regardless of major

Students eligible for one talent award from Cornell

Requirements to Maintain

Attend monthly theatre block meetings

Complete one course in the Department of Theatre per academic year

Participate in one mainstage production each year (minimum 30 hours)

Maintain satisfactory academic progress

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.60

Admit rate

80%

school-wide

Grad rate

62%

Enrollment

1.1K

Earnings

$53K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$56,734

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$73,578

Before aid

Average net price

$23,634

After aid

Cost Of Attendance.Shtml · cornellcollege.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

One Course At A Time block plan: 18-day immersive focus per course

Featured in Colleges That Change Lives since 1996

Flexibility to combine theatre with other fields of study or a double major

Training

Broad generalist training across all aspects of theatre

Core: Basic Acting, Stagecraft, Costume Construction

Five additional elective courses from Theatre and Dance (two at 300-level or above)

Capstone departmental portfolio presentation in final semester

Professional Development

Alumni pursue graduate study at programs including University of Iowa, Brown/Trinity Rep, Florida State/Asolo Conservatory

Facilities

Kimmel Theatre and Plumb-Fleming Black Box Studio

Regional partnerships: Riverside Theatre, The Old Creamery Theater, Creede Repertory Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids

Guest artists and industry professionals visit campus

Updated Aug 30, 7:06 PM