Denison University
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Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
No Audition
No Interview
University App Required
Program Highlights
TRAINING & PRODUCTIONS
•Six mainstage productions per year provide repeated real-world experience in acting, directing, design, stage management, and technical theatre
•Reynolds Playwright-in-Residence program brings noted playwrights and devisors to campus to prepare new work for production
•Practice and perform in the Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts with state-of-the-art stages, scene shop, costume shop, and lighting/audio equipment
SELF-DESIGNED EMPHASIS
•Students design their own emphasis area by end of sophomore year (acting, playwriting, music theatre, costume design, directing, or interdisciplinary paths like "Theatre and Social Change")
•44 credit hours with core in Theatre-Making, History & Theory, self-designed Emphasis, and Senior Project
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Steve Carell '84, Jennifer Garner '94, Alex Moffat '04 (SNL), Hal Holbrook '48, Ben Jacoby '09 (Broadway)
•Home of Burpee's Seedy Theatrical Company, the nation's oldest college improv group
STUDENT LIFE
•Student-led theatre through Burpee's and Denison Independent Theatre Association
•Opportunities to perform in Columbus professional productions
•Music Theatre Workshop productions open to all students
•Internship and study abroad opportunities integrated into the program
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atCommon App
Apply atCoalition App
Apply atSchool Website
Deadlines
Early DecisionNov 15, 2025
Early Decision IIJan 15, 2026
Regular DecisionJan 15, 2026
Submission Requirements
ARTS SUPPLEMENT (optional, for scholarship consideration)
•Submit via Denison applicant portal (connect.denison.edu) after filing university application
•Choose ONE of the following options:
VIDEO
•Short video of yourself acting in a performance or for camera
•Maximum 3 minutes
PORTFOLIO OR SCRIPT
•Visual portfolio or script up to 10 pages of material
MUSIC THEATRE CANDIDATES
•Encouraged to submit both Music and Theatre supplements
Good to Know
APPLICATION PROCESS
•Apply via Common App or Coalition App
•After submitting university application, access the Denison applicant portal (connect.denison.edu) via email link
•Optional arts supplement submitted through the applicant portal
ARTS SUPPLEMENT DEADLINES
•Early Decision 1: November 15
•Early Decision 2: January 15
•Regular Decision: January 15
•Transfer (January start): November 15
•Transfer (August start): April 15
ELIGIBILITY
•No major or minor in theatre required to receive arts scholarship
•Scholarship automatically renewable each year even if you change your major
•Fall enrollment only
What's The Process
NO AUDITION REQUIRED
•Admission is through the university application (Common App or Coalition App)
•No audition or interview required for acceptance to the major
•Submit an optional arts supplement for scholarship consideration
CONTACT
•Mark Evans Bryan, Chair of Theatre: bryanm@denison.edu, 740-587-6260
•Kristine Mathews, Program Coordinator: mathewskl@denison.edu, 740-587-6712
Scholarship Info
MERIT-BASED ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS
•$5,000 to $15,000, renewable for all four years
•Recipients are encouraged but not required to major or minor in the arts
•All arts supplement submitters are automatically considered
•Submit by application deadline (Nov 15 for ED1, Jan 15 for ED2/RD)
•May submit supplements in multiple disciplines, but only one scholarship awarded
Program info updated Yesterday
Academic School Information
3.77
Avg GPA (W)
17%
Admit Rate
82%
Grad Rate
2,398
Enrollment
$67,753
Earnings
10yr after
Tuition & Fees
$64,000
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$38,111
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$15,093
Family Income $30k - $48k$12,775
Family Income $48k - $75k$15,451
Family Income $75k - $110k$29,492
Family Income $110k+$46,510
