Private school488

Cornish College of the Arts

Seattle, WA

Faith-BasedTest-OptionalLGBTQ+

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Acting and Original Works

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Training

•Comprehensive training in acting, voice, movement, dramatic writing, and devising original works

•Average class size of 15 students with personalized faculty mentorship

•Faculty of working professionals across acting, directing, playwriting, and stage combat

Performance & Productions

•Main stage productions, student films with Cornish Film majors, and voiceover for Animation and Game Arts projects

•Campus located in the heart of Seattle's professional theatre scene

Notable Alumni

•Brendan Fraser — Academy Award winner

•Jinkx Monsoon — Broadway, Oh Mary, Chicago; RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars winner

•Don Darryl Rivera — Broadway, Aladdin; Only Murders in the Building

•Riley Shanahan — Doom Patrol

•Sara Porkalob — Broadway actor and theatre educator

Professional Development

•Students intern with professional theatres including ACT Theater, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and Seattle Children's Theater

•Career management and audition technique training

School Info

Snapshot

62%

Admit Rate

school-wide

54%

Grad Rate

488

Enrollment

$34K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$60,756

Before aid

Average Net Price

$40,062

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 3d ago

Program Highlights

Training

•Comprehensive training in acting, voice, movement, dramatic writing, and devising original works

•Average class size of 15 students with personalized faculty mentorship

•Faculty of working professionals across acting, directing, playwriting, and stage combat

Performance & Productions

•Main stage productions, student films with Cornish Film majors, and voiceover for Animation and Game Arts projects

•Campus located in the heart of Seattle's professional theatre scene

Notable Alumni

•Brendan Fraser — Academy Award winner

•Jinkx Monsoon — Broadway, Oh Mary, Chicago; RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars winner

•Don Darryl Rivera — Broadway, Aladdin; Only Murders in the Building

•Riley Shanahan — Doom Patrol

•Sara Porkalob — Broadway actor and theatre educator

Professional Development

•Students intern with professional theatres including ACT Theater, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and Seattle Children's Theater

•Career management and audition technique training

Program Highlights

Training

•Comprehensive training in acting, voice, movement, dramatic writing, and devising original works

•Average class size of 15 students with personalized faculty mentorship

•Faculty of working professionals across acting, directing, playwriting, and stage combat

Performance & Productions

•Main stage productions, student films with Cornish Film majors, and voiceover for Animation and Game Arts projects

•Campus located in the heart of Seattle's professional theatre scene

Notable Alumni

•Brendan Fraser — Academy Award winner

•Jinkx Monsoon — Broadway, Oh Mary, Chicago; RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars winner

•Don Darryl Rivera — Broadway, Aladdin; Only Murders in the Building

•Riley Shanahan — Doom Patrol

•Sara Porkalob — Broadway actor and theatre educator

Professional Development

•Students intern with professional theatres including ACT Theater, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and Seattle Children's Theater

•Career management and audition technique training

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

$60

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Application · Common App

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

Audition Requirements Theater · cornish.edu

Audition 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.

Monologues

Two Contrasting Contemporary Monologues, 2 Min Max Each

•First monologue: recommended from Cornish prescribed pieces

-Fool for Love by Sam Shepard

-Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

-May choose a familiar contemporary piece if time is a constraint

•Second monologue: contrasting piece from a contemporary play

-Must differ in mood, style, and intention from the first

-Should have a strong objective with dynamic actions and tactics

Material Selection

•Avoid "story" monologues — choose pieces where the character actively pursues a goal

•Look for strong character objectives that connect with another character present in the scene

•By the end, someone should be changed (understanding, emotion, or decision)

•Select pieces you genuinely enjoy performing

Wildcard / Special Skill (Optional)

•Upload a video showcasing additional skills and interests not part of the standard audition (e.g., directing excerpts, original writing, spoken word, devised solo performance, instruments, tap, tumbling, flexibility)

Additional Materials

Artist Statement (Required)

•Submit via Redhawk Admissions Portal

Arts Recommendation (Required)

•One recommendation from a teacher who can speak to your artistic or performing talents

-Separate from the general teacher and counselor recommendations required by Seattle University

Audition Requirements Theater · cornish.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•All recorded materials uploaded to Redhawk Admissions Portal "Portfolio" section

•Portal credentials sent within a few days of Common App submission

•Submit Portfolio Certification Form when materials are complete — portfolio will not be reviewed without it

•Program participates in National Unified Auditions (NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles)

Enrollment

•Fall and January start dates available

Transfer Pathway

Cornish evaluates transfer work course-by-course, with up to 60 transfer/AP/CBE/PLE credits applicable toward the BFA Acting and Original Works degree. Acting and Original Works transfer students may petition for Prior Learning Experience credit for major instruction or professional study; Department Chair/Records review determines eligible in-major or elective credit.

Transfer · cornish.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Live in-person on campus or at National Unified Auditions

•Live virtual via Zoom

•Recorded audition uploaded to Redhawk Admissions Portal

Audition Expectations

•Recorded: introduce yourself with name, age, and place of residence; briefly discuss your goals and experience; present two contrasting monologues; and answer the required interview questions on video

•Live: perform two contrasting monologues and complete a short faculty interview about career goals and educational priorities

•Recorded interview question: Why do you want to study at Cornish? What excites you about our program?

•Recorded interview question: Tell us about someone in your life who always acts with integrity, meaning they consistently try to do the right thing, even when it is difficult. This could be someone you know personally or someone you admire from afar. Tell us who this person is and how they demonstrate integrity through their actions.

•Recorded interview question: Imagine you received a grant to produce a play you would either commission or write yourself, in the theater of your choice, with the cast of your choice. The only condition is that it has to be about some issue (personal, social, political, environmental) that you care strongly about. What would you want your play to be about and what would you want the audience to take away?

Contact

•Andre Williams: awilliams@cornish.edu

Scholarship Info

Cornish Scholarships

•Admitted students are automatically considered — no separate application required

•Both merit-based and need-based aid available

•Cornish awards over $3.5 million in scholarships annually

•98% of admitted students receive funding assistance

•Both U.S. citizens and international students are eligible

School Info

Snapshot

62%

Admit Rate

school-wide

54%

Grad Rate

488

Enrollment

$34K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$60,756

Before aid

Average Net Price

$40,062

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•Comprehensive training in acting, voice, movement, dramatic writing, and devising original works

•Average class size of 15 students with personalized faculty mentorship

•Faculty of working professionals across acting, directing, playwriting, and stage combat

Performance & Productions

•Main stage productions, student films with Cornish Film majors, and voiceover for Animation and Game Arts projects

•Campus located in the heart of Seattle's professional theatre scene

Notable Alumni

•Brendan Fraser — Academy Award winner

•Jinkx Monsoon — Broadway, Oh Mary, Chicago; RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars winner

•Don Darryl Rivera — Broadway, Aladdin; Only Murders in the Building

•Riley Shanahan — Doom Patrol

•Sara Porkalob — Broadway actor and theatre educator

Professional Development

•Students intern with professional theatres including ACT Theater, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and Seattle Children's Theater

•Career management and audition technique training

Updated 3d ago