Case Western Reserve University
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Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
No Interview
In-Person or Virtual
Ultra-Selective
Under 12 Students
No University App
Program Highlights
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•Ranked among the best MFA acting programs by The Hollywood Reporter (2024)
•Partnership between CWRU and Tony Award-winning Cleveland Play House (CPH) — the nation's first regional theater
•One of the oldest academic theater programs in the United States
TRAINING & PRODUCTIONS
•Three-year conservatory program with professional apprenticeship
•Mainstage performance and understudy opportunities with Cleveland Play House
•Training in acting, voice, speech, movement, period styles, stage combat, and camera technique
•Classes taught by CWRU faculty, CPH resident artists, and guest artists
PROFESSIONAL OUTCOMES
•Actors' Equity Association membership upon program completion
•NYC Showcase before agents, managers, and casting directors
•New Play Development Workshop (First Flight) and individual Solo Flight presentations
•Home base: Maltz Performing Arts Center
Key Info
Audition Requirements
Monologues
TWO CONTRASTING MEMORIZED MONOLOGUES, 4 min total
•ONE CONTEMPORARY piece (ideally post-2000)
•ONE SHAKESPEAREAN VERSE piece
MATERIAL GUIDANCE
•Emphasis on active, emotionally connected performances over poetic delivery
•Be prepared to present additional audition pieces if requested — both contemporary and classical
Songs
SHORT UNACCOMPANIED SONG (if requested)
•Up to 16 bars, any genre
•A cappella — no accompaniment provided
•Professional vocal training not required
Wildcard / Special Skill
N/A
Additional Materials
HEADSHOT (required)
•Current photo
RESUME (required)
•Current acting resume
PERSONAL STATEMENT (required)
•Maximum two pages, double-spaced
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (required)
•Two letters sent separately as PDFs to donald.carrier@case.edu
Good to Know
ADMISSIONS CYCLE
•New class of 8 students admitted every two years
•Next audition cycle: 2026 for Fall 2027 entry
ELIGIBILITY
•Bachelor's degree from accredited institution required (associate degrees not accepted)
•Undergraduate degree need not be in theater
•Complete English fluency required
•No GRE required, no age limit
•International students welcome — self-tape submissions available for preliminary round
APPLICATION PROCESS
•All materials uploaded via Cleveland Play House audition portal — no hard copies
•Late applications considered based on appointment availability
•Program does not grant admission deferments
CONTACT
•Director Donald Carrier — donald.carrier@case.edu
•Maltz Performing Arts Center, 1855 Ansel Road, Cleveland, OH 44106
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•15-minute preliminary audition (9 AM - 3 PM)
•End-of-day callbacks for selected candidates (4 - 6 PM same day)
•Callbacks include group warm-ups and individual sessions
•No callback indicates candidate is no longer under consideration
AUDITION LOCATIONS
•Cleveland, New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and remote/Zoom
•Walk-ins accepted based on availability ($50 fee applies)
URTA
•Program participates in URTA National Unified Auditions
•URTA acceptance follows designated offer day timeline
•Private auditions also available in URTA cities
FINAL CALLBACKS
•Held via Zoom in February
•Additional callbacks may occur in Cleveland
•Acceptance process begins early February
Scholarship Info
FULL FINANCIAL SUPPORT
•Complete three-year tuition waiver for all admitted students
•Competitive annual living stipend
•Healthcare coverage
•All students receive identical financial packages
Program info updated Today
Academic School Information
3.78
Avg GPA (W)
29%
Admit Rate
86%
Grad Rate
6,108
Enrollment
$87,989
Earnings
10yr after
Tuition & Fees
$64,671
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$38,909
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.
Annual Cost by Family Income
Family Income $0 - $30k$19,510
Family Income $30k - $48k$18,657
Family Income $48k - $75k$19,106
Family Income $75k - $110k$33,489
Family Income $110k+$49,117
