Private school812

Gallaudet University

Washington, DC

LGBTQ+

Start free

Program

BA Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program

BA Theatre Arts

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Theatre Arts

Production/Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program Recognition

The world’s only BA theatre program designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing undergraduate students, taught in a signing-centric, collaborative environment

Deaf-oriented, Deaf-driven ethos that celebrates bilingualism and integrates American Sign Language (ASL) as an artistic medium of storytelling, expression, and accessibility

Located in Washington, D.C. — the second-largest theatre city in the U.S. with 90+ professional theatres in the area for internships, study, and patronage

Broad curriculum covering acting, design, directing, playwriting, theatre history, and the critical theory of drama, theatre, and performance

Performance & Productions

Faculty are renowned Deaf artists and educators who mentor students in theatre, film, and live events

Mainstage productions (typically two per year, one per semester) offer hands-on acting, directing, and design experience with ASL performances, plus an open-casting policy

Masterclasses with Deaf professionals in ASL storytelling and stage combat; Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) skills proficiency testing offered in Stage Combat courses

Notable Alumni

James Caverly — ’11 — actor (Only Murders in the Building), director, and playwright

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.20

Admit rate

58%

school-wide

Grad rate

47%

Enrollment

812

Earnings

$43K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$19,654

Before aid

Average net price

$15,845

After aid

College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 20, 2:54 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

The world’s only BA theatre program designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing undergraduate students, taught in a signing-centric, collaborative environment

Deaf-oriented, Deaf-driven ethos that celebrates bilingualism and integrates American Sign Language (ASL) as an artistic medium of storytelling, expression, and accessibility

Located in Washington, D.C. — the second-largest theatre city in the U.S. with 90+ professional theatres in the area for internships, study, and patronage

Broad curriculum covering acting, design, directing, playwriting, theatre history, and the critical theory of drama, theatre, and performance

Performance & Productions

Faculty are renowned Deaf artists and educators who mentor students in theatre, film, and live events

Mainstage productions (typically two per year, one per semester) offer hands-on acting, directing, and design experience with ASL performances, plus an open-casting policy

Masterclasses with Deaf professionals in ASL storytelling and stage combat; Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) skills proficiency testing offered in Stage Combat courses

Notable Alumni

James Caverly — ’11 — actor (Only Murders in the Building), director, and playwright

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

The world’s only BA theatre program designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing undergraduate students, taught in a signing-centric, collaborative environment

Deaf-oriented, Deaf-driven ethos that celebrates bilingualism and integrates American Sign Language (ASL) as an artistic medium of storytelling, expression, and accessibility

Located in Washington, D.C. — the second-largest theatre city in the U.S. with 90+ professional theatres in the area for internships, study, and patronage

Broad curriculum covering acting, design, directing, playwriting, theatre history, and the critical theory of drama, theatre, and performance

Performance & Productions

Faculty are renowned Deaf artists and educators who mentor students in theatre, film, and live events

Mainstage productions (typically two per year, one per semester) offer hands-on acting, directing, and design experience with ASL performances, plus an open-casting policy

Masterclasses with Deaf professionals in ASL storytelling and stage combat; Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) skills proficiency testing offered in Stage Combat courses

Notable Alumni

James Caverly — ’11 — actor (Only Murders in the Building), director, and playwright

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Deadline

Honors Priority DeadlineFeb 15, 2027

International fall admission deadlineJun 30, 2027

Rolling admission for first-time and transfer applicants

Uga Apply · gallaudet.edu International · gallaudet.edu

Good to Know

Application

Apply through Gallaudet’s own undergraduate application portal — the university does not use the Common App

Fall applications are reviewed on a rolling basis

Application fee: $50 USD — waived for applications submitted by December 1

Program Notes

120 credits required to graduate; on-campus, four-year format

A professional internship — Field Experience (THE 320) — is required for graduation

Theatre Arts pairs well as a double major with almost any other Gallaudet major

What's The Process

Admission

No performance audition is required for admission — students are admitted through the standard Gallaudet University undergraduate application

No prior performing background is expected to enter or declare the Theatre Arts major

Declaring the Major

Successful completion of THE 110 (Introduction to Theatre) is required before declaring the Theatre Arts major or minor

To declare, students email the Theatre and Dance program director by the last week of classes; a 20-minute advising interview is then scheduled on Study Day

Production Auditions (Casting, Not Admission)

Any Gallaudet student may audition for productions regardless of major; preference goes to Theatre Arts majors/minors for lead roles

Production auditions are held during the last week of classes in the semester before a show; first-year students may audition if roles remain available

Scholarship Info

Departmental Awards

Gilbert C. Eastman Award — amount varies yearly; for full-time juniors majoring in Theatre Arts with a 3.0+ cumulative GPA and a 3.0+ GPA in the major

Victoria “Luce” LeBlanc Memorial Scholarship — amount varies yearly; awarded to dedicated students of English and/or Theatre Arts

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.20

Admit rate

58%

school-wide

Grad rate

47%

Enrollment

812

Earnings

$43K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$19,654

Before aid

Average net price

$15,845

After aid

College Scorecard

Program Recognition

The world’s only BA theatre program designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing undergraduate students, taught in a signing-centric, collaborative environment

Deaf-oriented, Deaf-driven ethos that celebrates bilingualism and integrates American Sign Language (ASL) as an artistic medium of storytelling, expression, and accessibility

Located in Washington, D.C. — the second-largest theatre city in the U.S. with 90+ professional theatres in the area for internships, study, and patronage

Broad curriculum covering acting, design, directing, playwriting, theatre history, and the critical theory of drama, theatre, and performance

Performance & Productions

Faculty are renowned Deaf artists and educators who mentor students in theatre, film, and live events

Mainstage productions (typically two per year, one per semester) offer hands-on acting, directing, and design experience with ASL performances, plus an open-casting policy

Masterclasses with Deaf professionals in ASL storytelling and stage combat; Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) skills proficiency testing offered in Stage Combat courses

Notable Alumni

James Caverly — ’11 — actor (Only Murders in the Building), director, and playwright

Updated Aug 20, 2:54 PM