Public school8.6K

California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA

HSITest-FreeGreek LifeLGBTQ+

Start free

Program

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

BA Theatre

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Training

Small class sizes with individual attention from dedicated, experienced faculty

Training in acting, design, directing, creative dramatics, and technical theatre

Even first-year students may be cast in major roles or serve as stage manager — no "paying dues" hierarchy

Performance & Productions

Three main-season productions per year plus a Theatre for Young Audiences touring show

Theatre of New Voices — a new play festival featuring original student work

Repertoire ranges from Shakespeare to contemporary drama to Broadway musicals

Facilities

Frances B. Doré Theatre — 495-seat proscenium auditorium

The Arena — black box theatre for intimate productions

On-site scenery and costume shops and design lab

Degree Flexibility

Solid foundation in theatre history, literature, and script analysis prepares students for graduate study

Minors available in Theatre, Theatre Technology, and Theatre for Youth

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.50

Admit rate

94%

school-wide

Grad rate

50%

Enrollment

8.6K

Earnings

$59K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$8,943

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,247

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$31,939

Before aid

Average net price

$5,652

After aid

Budgets.Shtml · csub.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 16, 1:02 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Small class sizes with individual attention from dedicated, experienced faculty

Training in acting, design, directing, creative dramatics, and technical theatre

Even first-year students may be cast in major roles or serve as stage manager — no "paying dues" hierarchy

Performance & Productions

Three main-season productions per year plus a Theatre for Young Audiences touring show

Theatre of New Voices — a new play festival featuring original student work

Repertoire ranges from Shakespeare to contemporary drama to Broadway musicals

Facilities

Frances B. Doré Theatre — 495-seat proscenium auditorium

The Arena — black box theatre for intimate productions

On-site scenery and costume shops and design lab

Degree Flexibility

Solid foundation in theatre history, literature, and script analysis prepares students for graduate study

Minors available in Theatre, Theatre Technology, and Theatre for Youth

Program Highlights

Training

Small class sizes with individual attention from dedicated, experienced faculty

Training in acting, design, directing, creative dramatics, and technical theatre

Even first-year students may be cast in major roles or serve as stage manager — no "paying dues" hierarchy

Performance & Productions

Three main-season productions per year plus a Theatre for Young Audiences touring show

Theatre of New Voices — a new play festival featuring original student work

Repertoire ranges from Shakespeare to contemporary drama to Broadway musicals

Facilities

Frances B. Doré Theatre — 495-seat proscenium auditorium

The Arena — black box theatre for intimate productions

On-site scenery and costume shops and design lab

Degree Flexibility

Solid foundation in theatre history, literature, and script analysis prepares students for graduate study

Minors available in Theatre, Theatre Technology, and Theatre for Youth

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Cal State Apply· Only option

Fee

$70

Opens

Fall 2027 Cal State Apply Opens for Application WorkAug 1, 2026

Fall 2027 Application Submission OpensOct 1, 2026

Deadline

Fall 2027 Priority Application Filing DeadlineNov 30, 2026

Application Dates Deadlines · calstate.edu

Program AppApplication

Dates

Opens later

Program.Shtml · csub.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to the BA Theatre through Cal State Apply; CSUB publishes no separate theatre application or admission audition.

For Spring 2027 transfer entry, CSUB lists the application filing period as July 1-August 31, 2026 for non-impacted programs.

For Fall 2027, the CSU application calendar lists August 1, 2026 as the date students may begin working in Cal State Apply, October 1, 2026 as the submission opening, and November 30, 2026 as the priority filing deadline. Confirm campus availability in Cal State Apply.

Production auditions are separate from program admission and are open to all CSUB students, regardless of major.

Contact the Music & Theatre Department at (661) 654-3093 for program questions

Transfer Pathway

CSUB's BA Theatre has California community-college articulation published through ASSIST, and CSUB's transfer-credit guidance points students to ADT and articulation agreements. Transfer applicants apply through Cal State Apply and have prior coursework evaluated after official transcripts are received.

Results · assist.org

What's The Process

Audition Process

No audition or interview required for program admission

Admitted through the standard university application via Cal State Apply

Departmental auditions are for production casting only, not program admission

Scholarship Info

Departmental Scholarships

Apply for admission to CSUB.

Complete the scholarship application at csub.scholarshipuniverse.com.

Contact the Theatre Program Chair at (661) 654-2240 or mrees@csub.edu to arrange an audition and/or interview.

Fine Arts Merit Award Scholarship (Famas)

Four-year scholarship for incoming freshmen from Kern County.

Awardees receive $1,000 each year.

An audition or interview, a short essay, and a letter of recommendation are required.

Ham & Wry

The Theatre Program's Ham & Wry scholarship is sometimes awarded to promising incoming freshmen.

Other CSUB scholarships may also be available.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.50

Admit rate

94%

school-wide

Grad rate

50%

Enrollment

8.6K

Earnings

$59K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$8,943

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,247

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$31,939

Before aid

Average net price

$5,652

After aid

Budgets.Shtml · csub.edu College Scorecard

Training

Small class sizes with individual attention from dedicated, experienced faculty

Training in acting, design, directing, creative dramatics, and technical theatre

Even first-year students may be cast in major roles or serve as stage manager — no "paying dues" hierarchy

Performance & Productions

Three main-season productions per year plus a Theatre for Young Audiences touring show

Theatre of New Voices — a new play festival featuring original student work

Repertoire ranges from Shakespeare to contemporary drama to Broadway musicals

Facilities

Frances B. Doré Theatre — 495-seat proscenium auditorium

The Arena — black box theatre for intimate productions

On-site scenery and costume shops and design lab

Degree Flexibility

Solid foundation in theatre history, literature, and script analysis prepares students for graduate study

Minors available in Theatre, Theatre Technology, and Theatre for Youth

Updated Sep 16, 1:02 PM

Building your audition college list?

Save California State University - Bakersfield, track every prescreen and audition deadline, and compare programs side by side — all in one place.

Start free

No credit card required. Your account stays on Free after the Premium trial.