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California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Training

•Professionally-minded conservatory-style program celebrating rigor, empathy, authenticity, and creativity

•Four years of dedicated private voice study (THTR 193, 293, 393, 493)

•Dance training in ballet, jazz, tap, and dance for musical theatre across the degree

•Core acting training rooted in Stanislavski/realism ranging from stage works to on-camera techniques

•Award-winning professionals from Broadway, off-Broadway, national tour, regional theatre, TV, and film

Performance & Productions

•4 units of mainstage performance (THTR 478A) plus 3 units of production crew (THTR 278B/478B)

•8 main stage productions per year — 2 plays, 2 musicals, 2 devised works, 2 dance productions

•16:1 student-faculty ratio in performance classes

Notable Alumni

•Broadway and national tour alumni include performers from Hamilton, Six, Hadestown, Mean Girls, The Lion King, Gypsy, A Chorus Line, and others

Professional Development

•Fourth-year New York City industry showcase for agents, managers, casting directors, and alumni

•Showcase framed by the program as both a professional networking opportunity and a celebration of each artist's growth

Location

•Located 26 miles outside Los Angeles with proximity to the entertainment industry

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2027: 14 students

School Info

Snapshot

3.43

Avg GPA (W)

91%

Admit Rate

school-wide

70%

Grad Rate

38.5K

Enrollment

$63K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$8,516

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$20,762

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$36,148

Before aid

Average Net Price

$6,555

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 5d ago

Program Highlights

Training

•Professionally-minded conservatory-style program celebrating rigor, empathy, authenticity, and creativity

•Four years of dedicated private voice study (THTR 193, 293, 393, 493)

•Dance training in ballet, jazz, tap, and dance for musical theatre across the degree

•Core acting training rooted in Stanislavski/realism ranging from stage works to on-camera techniques

•Award-winning professionals from Broadway, off-Broadway, national tour, regional theatre, TV, and film

Performance & Productions

•4 units of mainstage performance (THTR 478A) plus 3 units of production crew (THTR 278B/478B)

•8 main stage productions per year — 2 plays, 2 musicals, 2 devised works, 2 dance productions

•16:1 student-faculty ratio in performance classes

Notable Alumni

•Broadway and national tour alumni include performers from Hamilton, Six, Hadestown, Mean Girls, The Lion King, Gypsy, A Chorus Line, and others

Professional Development

•Fourth-year New York City industry showcase for agents, managers, casting directors, and alumni

•Showcase framed by the program as both a professional networking opportunity and a celebration of each artist's growth

Location

•Located 26 miles outside Los Angeles with proximity to the entertainment industry

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2027: 14 students

Program Highlights

Training

•Professionally-minded conservatory-style program celebrating rigor, empathy, authenticity, and creativity

•Four years of dedicated private voice study (THTR 193, 293, 393, 493)

•Dance training in ballet, jazz, tap, and dance for musical theatre across the degree

•Core acting training rooted in Stanislavski/realism ranging from stage works to on-camera techniques

•Award-winning professionals from Broadway, off-Broadway, national tour, regional theatre, TV, and film

Performance & Productions

•4 units of mainstage performance (THTR 478A) plus 3 units of production crew (THTR 278B/478B)

•8 main stage productions per year — 2 plays, 2 musicals, 2 devised works, 2 dance productions

•16:1 student-faculty ratio in performance classes

Notable Alumni

•Broadway and national tour alumni include performers from Hamilton, Six, Hadestown, Mean Girls, The Lion King, Gypsy, A Chorus Line, and others

Professional Development

•Fourth-year New York City industry showcase for agents, managers, casting directors, and alumni

•Showcase framed by the program as both a professional networking opportunity and a celebration of each artist's growth

Location

•Located 26 miles outside Los Angeles with proximity to the entertainment industry

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2027: 14 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Cal State Apply· Only option

Fee

$70

Opens

Cal State Apply opensAug 1, 2026

Application submission opensOct 1, 2026

Deadline

Priority Filing DeadlineNov 30, 2026

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Dates

Opens later

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Apply

School Website

Official Source

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

Requirements

•Two Contrasting Songs

•One musical theater song from any time period

•One song of your choice from any time period and in any style that best suits you (musical theater, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.) - should contrast the style of the first selection

•Each song file should be 60-90 seconds

•Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment

•No a cappella singing (singing without music)

Monologues

Requirements

•One Contemporary Monologue (written after 1950) from a published play

•60-90 seconds in length

Dance

Requirements

•Solo dance/movement, 60-90 sec

•Show us your best version of dancing or moving

•Please include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick (or other suitable rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body)

•CSUF prefers using a pirouette turn, if possible

•Preferred: no barre work

Style & Content

•Dance sample should be in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident (jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or dance styles beyond American and Euro-western styles)

•Dance media can be "self-choreographed", but it must be a solo video of you

•You may use recent videos of you from a show or concert, but it must just be you in the frame

Tips

•Choose steps and movement that highlight your strengths

•Use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well

•Fully move your body to the best of your ability

One "Wild Card" Video No Longer Than 60 Seconds

•Demonstrating anything you want us to see – a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, etc. Examples include: singing a pop song, performing original composition/song/poem or choreographed dance, SNL-styled skit with comedic character, sharing a hobby or activity, performing in another language, playing an instrument, making a "how-to" video, showing different dance styles

Additional Materials

Slate Video (Required)

•Record one introduction video stating your name, adding your pronouns if you wish

•No longer than 10 seconds

•Speak loudly and clearly directly at the camera

•Do not slate the individual performance videos — label each video instead

Official SourceVerified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Must apply to CSUF through Cal State Apply first

•Prescreen submission link emailed once application is processed by Department of Theatre (may take up to two weeks)

Important Notes

•For Fall 2027 admission, Cal State Apply submission opens October 1, 2026 with a November 30, 2026 priority filing deadline

•Submit the Cal State Apply university application by the deadline; late prescreen video submissions may be accommodated at the department's discretion, but applicants who miss the university application cannot be considered

Transfer Pathway

Cal State Fullerton publishes BFA degree roadmaps plus named second-year and third-year placement lists (pending faculty assessment) for the Acting, Devised Performance/Physical Theatre, and Musical Theatre concentrations, so transfer credit can shorten the studio sequence. An A.A. in theatre does not by itself qualify an applicant, and all transfers must still pass the BFA entrance audition; the department office handles transfer equivalency evaluation.

Official Source

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Prescreening submission instructions emailed to applicants upon meeting application criteria

•Prescreening results released beginning mid-December

Audition Expectations

•In-person callback dates for Fall 2027 admission are TBD; CSUF says more information is coming soon

•If invited to in-person auditions, you only need to attend on one date corresponding to your concentration

Scholarship Info

•One CSUF scholarship application matches students to all applicable university, college, and department awards

•The fall scholarship application window typically runs early January through March 1

•Need-based scholarships, work-study, and the Disney Aspire tuition benefit for eligible hourly Disney employees are also available

School Info

Snapshot

3.43

Avg GPA (W)

91%

Admit Rate

school-wide

70%

Grad Rate

38.5K

Enrollment

$63K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$8,516

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$20,762

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$36,148

Before aid

Average Net Price

$6,555

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•Professionally-minded conservatory-style program celebrating rigor, empathy, authenticity, and creativity

•Four years of dedicated private voice study (THTR 193, 293, 393, 493)

•Dance training in ballet, jazz, tap, and dance for musical theatre across the degree

•Core acting training rooted in Stanislavski/realism ranging from stage works to on-camera techniques

•Award-winning professionals from Broadway, off-Broadway, national tour, regional theatre, TV, and film

Performance & Productions

•4 units of mainstage performance (THTR 478A) plus 3 units of production crew (THTR 278B/478B)

•8 main stage productions per year — 2 plays, 2 musicals, 2 devised works, 2 dance productions

•16:1 student-faculty ratio in performance classes

Notable Alumni

•Broadway and national tour alumni include performers from Hamilton, Six, Hadestown, Mean Girls, The Lion King, Gypsy, A Chorus Line, and others

Professional Development

•Fourth-year New York City industry showcase for agents, managers, casting directors, and alumni

•Showcase framed by the program as both a professional networking opportunity and a celebration of each artist's growth

Location

•Located 26 miles outside Los Angeles with proximity to the entertainment industry

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2027: 14 students

Updated 5d ago