Public school27.8K

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

Test-OptionalGreek LifeLGBTQ+

Start free

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Theater

Musical Theater Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Training

BFA prepares students for graduate study or entry into the profession through rigorous, concentrated, and individualized training

Curriculum includes applied music in voice (8 credits of private vocal instruction), musicianship, aural skills, keyboard skills, and musical theater workshop

Dance training includes ballet, jazz, modern/contemporary, and tap; Movement in Musical Theater covers character development and choreography

Performance & Productions

Mason Players present two main stage and three student-directed studio productions each year

Theater majors can live among peer artists by joining the Arts Learning Community

GhostLight Players provide additional student-produced performance opportunities

Notable Alumni

Steven Franco '23 — Marketing Fellow at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company through the Miranda Family Fellows Program for early-career BIPOC theatre professionals

Professional Development

Accelerated BA/MA option: earn a BA in Theater and an MA in Arts Management in 150 credits

Location

Located 20 miles from Washington, D.C. — significant industry career opportunities including internships, partnerships, and jobs across the DMV area

Access to DC-area companies including Signature Theatre (Sondheim Award), Arena Stage, and Woolly Mammoth

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.69

Admit rate

87%

school-wide

Grad rate

68%

Enrollment

27.8K

Earnings

$76K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,316

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$39,312

Before aid

Average net price

$17,915

After aid

Cost Attendance · gmu.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 1, 4:50 PM

Program Highlights

Training

BFA prepares students for graduate study or entry into the profession through rigorous, concentrated, and individualized training

Curriculum includes applied music in voice (8 credits of private vocal instruction), musicianship, aural skills, keyboard skills, and musical theater workshop

Dance training includes ballet, jazz, modern/contemporary, and tap; Movement in Musical Theater covers character development and choreography

Performance & Productions

Mason Players present two main stage and three student-directed studio productions each year

Theater majors can live among peer artists by joining the Arts Learning Community

GhostLight Players provide additional student-produced performance opportunities

Notable Alumni

Steven Franco '23 — Marketing Fellow at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company through the Miranda Family Fellows Program for early-career BIPOC theatre professionals

Professional Development

Accelerated BA/MA option: earn a BA in Theater and an MA in Arts Management in 150 credits

Location

Located 20 miles from Washington, D.C. — significant industry career opportunities including internships, partnerships, and jobs across the DMV area

Access to DC-area companies including Signature Theatre (Sondheim Award), Arena Stage, and Woolly Mammoth

Program Highlights

Training

BFA prepares students for graduate study or entry into the profession through rigorous, concentrated, and individualized training

Curriculum includes applied music in voice (8 credits of private vocal instruction), musicianship, aural skills, keyboard skills, and musical theater workshop

Dance training includes ballet, jazz, modern/contemporary, and tap; Movement in Musical Theater covers character development and choreography

Performance & Productions

Mason Players present two main stage and three student-directed studio productions each year

Theater majors can live among peer artists by joining the Arts Learning Community

GhostLight Players provide additional student-produced performance opportunities

Notable Alumni

Steven Franco '23 — Marketing Fellow at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company through the Miranda Family Fellows Program for early-career BIPOC theatre professionals

Professional Development

Accelerated BA/MA option: earn a BA in Theater and an MA in Arts Management in 150 credits

Location

Located 20 miles from Washington, D.C. — significant industry career opportunities including internships, partnerships, and jobs across the DMV area

Access to DC-area companies including Signature Theatre (Sondheim Award), Arena Stage, and Woolly Mammoth

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

$75

Deadline

Early ActionNov 1, 2026

Regular DecisionFeb 1, 2027

Transfer Fall Priority / GAAMar 1, 2027

International Fall FinalJun 1, 2027

Dates Deadlines · gmu.edu Undergraduate Policies · catalog.gmu.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Apply

SlideRoom

Fees

SlideRoom Fee

$10

Accompanist Fee

$40

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

Deadline

Early Action Artistic Review SchedulingNov 7, 2026

Regular Decision Artistic Review SchedulingFeb 7, 2027

Transfer / Change-of-Major Completion Deadline (Fall 2027)Jul 18, 2027

SlideRoom Final DeadlineJul 23, 2027

Auditions

In-person artistic review

Nov 7, 2026Feb 12–13 & 27, 2027

Virtual artistic review

Dec 4, 2026Jan 19, 2027Feb 9, 2027

Transfer or change-of-major artistic reviewApr 5, 2027

Application portal · SlideRoom School Theater Admissions · cvpa.gmu.edu Apply And Audition · theater.gmu.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

Prescreen Song Video

All Musical Theater applicants (in-person and online) upload one song selection through SlideRoom as a pre-screen video

This requirement is separate from the audition songs, but the pre-screen song may double as one of the two required audition songs

Audition Songs

Two prepared songs that demonstrate variety, not to exceed three minutes total

In-person Actor/Singers will be asked by the faculty panel to make adjustments and repeat portions of their work

An accompanist is available for in-person auditions for a $40 cash fee on the day of the audition, including a brief rehearsal beforehand; applicants may provide their own accompanist or perform a cappella

Online applicants upload two contrasting song selections, 60-90 seconds each; a cappella submissions are accepted

Monologues

Requirements

Two contrasting monologues, each not to exceed 90 seconds

In-person applicants will be asked by the faculty panel to make adjustments and repeat portions of their work

Online applicants upload two contrasting monologues, 60-90 seconds each

Additional Materials

Resume

Required: One-page theatrical resume in PDF format listing theater experience, training, and special skills.

School Theater Admissions · cvpa.gmu.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Songs

Two Contrasting Song Selections, 60-90 Sec Each

Demonstrate variety; total audition song time should not exceed 3 minutes

In-person applicants may be asked by faculty to make adjustments and repeat portions of their work

Accompaniment

School accompanist available for in-person Musical Theater auditions for a $40 cash fee on audition day

Accompanist service includes a brief rehearsal just before the appointment

Applicants may provide their own accompanist

A cappella song submissions are accepted for online auditions and applicants may sing a cappella if preferred

Monologues

Two Contrasting Monologues, 60-90 Sec Each

Prepare two contrasting monologues

In-person applicants may be asked by faculty to make adjustments and repeat portions of their work

Additional Materials

$40 cash accompanist fee (optional)

School Theater Admissions · cvpa.gmu.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

The Fall 2027 Theater SlideRoom application is scheduled to open August 1, 2026

Submit the university application by November 1 for maximum scholarship consideration

Early Action auditions must be scheduled by November 7, 2026

Regular Decision auditions must be scheduled by February 7, 2027

The Spring and Fall 2027 SlideRoom form is open and accepting submissions (confirmed 2026-08-26); follow the School of Theater admissions page for details

Transfer Pathway

Mason publishes a VCCS transfer guide for both the BA and BFA in Theater with course equivalencies. Transfer applicants complete an audition or portfolio review after submitting the university transfer application.

Thr Ba BFA · transferguide.admissions.gmu.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Apply to George Mason first, then use SlideRoom to submit the Musical Theater prescreen and select an in-person or online audition/interview date

The university application must be on file before the artistic review can be scheduled

Online materials are due at least three business days before the interview date

In-person interviews follow the audition; online interviews are scheduled after materials are received

Fall 2027 scheduling deadlines are published, but exact audition dates were not yet posted at review time

Scholarship Info

Scholarship Eligibility

Submit university application by November 1 for maximum scholarship consideration

Complete audition/interview before March 1 for scholarship eligibility

Incoming theater students may receive merit and talent-based scholarships

Merit-based scholarship applications for current majors announced each semester

Named Scholarships

Friends of Theater Scholarships — for current full-time theater majors with 3.0+ GPA

Howard Vincent Kurtz Scholarship — $1,000 for rising junior/senior in Design and Technical Theater

Brower "BC" Spransy Fund — preference for students active in improvisation or devised theater

Musical Theater scholarship support available with preference to MT majors

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.69

Admit rate

87%

school-wide

Grad rate

68%

Enrollment

27.8K

Earnings

$76K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,316

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$39,312

Before aid

Average net price

$17,915

After aid

Cost Attendance · gmu.edu College Scorecard

Training

BFA prepares students for graduate study or entry into the profession through rigorous, concentrated, and individualized training

Curriculum includes applied music in voice (8 credits of private vocal instruction), musicianship, aural skills, keyboard skills, and musical theater workshop

Dance training includes ballet, jazz, modern/contemporary, and tap; Movement in Musical Theater covers character development and choreography

Performance & Productions

Mason Players present two main stage and three student-directed studio productions each year

Theater majors can live among peer artists by joining the Arts Learning Community

GhostLight Players provide additional student-produced performance opportunities

Notable Alumni

Steven Franco '23 — Marketing Fellow at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company through the Miranda Family Fellows Program for early-career BIPOC theatre professionals

Professional Development

Accelerated BA/MA option: earn a BA in Theater and an MA in Arts Management in 150 credits

Location

Located 20 miles from Washington, D.C. — significant industry career opportunities including internships, partnerships, and jobs across the DMV area

Access to DC-area companies including Signature Theatre (Sondheim Award), Arena Stage, and Woolly Mammoth

Updated Sep 1, 4:50 PM