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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 SelectiveUnder 12 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 SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Concentrations

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 SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

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 SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Devised Performance/Physical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

25-40 Students

Training

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

•Four years of dedicated private voice lessons

•Minimum of two dance classes per semester in various styles and levels

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

•No cut system — committed to training students all the way to graduation

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

Performance & Productions

•Required casting in at least 2 main stage productions over four years

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

•12:1 student-faculty ratio in most performance/studio 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

•New York City showcase capstone for agents, managers, and casting directors — costs supplemented with grant funding

•Partnership with Disney Aspire Program for 100% tuition coverage for part-time Disney employees

Location

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

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 4d ago

Program Highlights

Training

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

•Four years of dedicated private voice lessons

•Minimum of two dance classes per semester in various styles and levels

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

•No cut system — committed to training students all the way to graduation

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

Performance & Productions

•Required casting in at least 2 main stage productions over four years

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

•12:1 student-faculty ratio in most performance/studio 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

•New York City showcase capstone for agents, managers, and casting directors — costs supplemented with grant funding

•Partnership with Disney Aspire Program for 100% tuition coverage for part-time Disney employees

Location

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

Program Highlights

Training

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

•Four years of dedicated private voice lessons

•Minimum of two dance classes per semester in various styles and levels

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

•No cut system — committed to training students all the way to graduation

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

Performance & Productions

•Required casting in at least 2 main stage productions over four years

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

•12:1 student-faculty ratio in most performance/studio 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

•New York City showcase capstone for agents, managers, and casting directors — costs supplemented with grant funding

•Partnership with Disney Aspire Program for 100% tuition coverage for part-time Disney employees

Location

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

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$70Waiver

Deadline

Regular DecisionDec 1, 2025

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Deadline

University Application DeadlineDec 1, 2025

Auditions

In-Person Callback (Campus)Jan 31, 2026

In-Person Callback (Campus)Feb 1, 2026

In-Person Callback (Campus)Feb 7, 2026

In-Person Callback (Campus)Feb 8, 2026

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

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: name and pronouns if desired - no longer than 10 seconds

•No need to slate individual performance videos - clearly label each video with your name and title of piece

Official Source

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

•University application deadline is hard and final (December 1)

•Musical Theatre program is flexible with late video submissions after this date, but cannot consider students who did not submit the university application by December 1

Transfer Pathway

Cal State Fullerton publishes theatre roadmaps and transfer-placement guidance, including second-year placement for BFA Acting pending assessment. Its BFA Musical Theatre materials encourage transfer students to audition, while also pointing students to the no-audition BA Theatre option if they are not admitted to the BFA. As a CSU campus, CSUF is especially relevant for California community college transfers, but BFA studio placement still depends on faculty review.

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 callbacks: January 31, February 1, February 7, February 8, 2026

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

Decisions

•BFA placement offers typically go out via email on or around the first week of March

•Deadline to accept BFA placement offer is May 15

•Students not accepted into Musical Theatre may be considered for Acting and/or Devised Theatre BFA concentrations

•Candidates not accepted into any BFA program may be offered placement in the BA Theatre program

Scholarship Info

•One scholarship application at CSUF for all applicable scholarships across university, college and department - deadline typically March 3

•Partnership with Disney Aspire Program allowing part-time Disney employees 100% tuition coverage

•Need-based scholarships and work-study programs 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 lessons

•Minimum of two dance classes per semester in various styles and levels

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

•No cut system — committed to training students all the way to graduation

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

Performance & Productions

•Required casting in at least 2 main stage productions over four years

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

•12:1 student-faculty ratio in most performance/studio 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

•New York City showcase capstone for agents, managers, and casting directors — costs supplemented with grant funding

•Partnership with Disney Aspire Program for 100% tuition coverage for part-time Disney employees

Location

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

Updated 4d ago