Program
No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredIn-Person or VirtualModerately Selective25-40 StudentsUniversity App Required
Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
Interview Required
Moderately Selective
25-40 Students
University App Required
Program Highlights
TRAINING
•BA Performance allows students to maintain wide-ranging interests across the school and university while building a focused acting skill set
•Students pursue an academic track in Performance as part of their 21 upper-division elective credits, with coursework in voice, movement, and scene study
•Individualized mentorship from faculty with professional DC-area theater credits
PRODUCTIONS & COMMUNITY
•Mason Players present two main stage and three student-directed studio productions each year
•GhostLight Players and Mason Improv Association offer additional performance outlets
•Theater majors can live among peer artists by joining the Arts Learning Community (Arts LLC)
LOCATION & OPPORTUNITIES
•Located in the DC/Northern Virginia metro area — strong access to internships, partnerships, and professional opportunities across the DMV theatre industry
•Proximity to Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, and other major regional companies
ADVANCED PATHWAYS
•Accelerated BA/MA pathway: earn a BA in Theater and MA in Arts Management in 150 credits
•Honors in the Major available for students with 75+ credits, 3.50 overall GPA, and 3.75 GPA in the major
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Michael Burgos '12 — internationally award-winning writer and performer; Chris Parsons Acting Award; diploma from École Philippe Gaulier
•Mildred Marie Langford '02 — trained at the School at Steppenwolf with founding members including Jeff Perry (Scandal) and Amy Morton (Chicago Fire)
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atCommon App
Apply atSchool Website
Deadlines
Early ActionNov 1, 2025
Regular DecisionFeb 1, 2026
Domestic Fee
$70Waiver
International Fee
$80Waiver
Program AppApplication
Apply atSlideRoom
Deadlines
Transfer (Spring 2026)Nov 1, 2025
Early ActionNov 7, 2025
Regular DecisionFeb 7, 2026
Transfer (Fall 2026)Jul 19, 2026
Auditions
In-Person (Fairfax, VA)Nov 15, 2025
Virtual (Zoom)Dec 5, 2025
Virtual (Zoom)Feb 10, 2026
In-Person (Fairfax, VA)Feb 13, 2026
SlideRoom Fee
$10
Audition Requirements
Monologues
TWO PREPARED 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
Additional Materials
•Theatrical RESUME (one page, PDF format) listing theater experience, training, and special skills
•If interviewing online, all audition materials must be uploaded at least 3 business days before your interview date
Good to Know
SCHOLARSHIP CONSIDERATION
•Apply to the university by November 1 for maximum scholarship consideration
•Includes merit and talent-based scholarships
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
•Early Action auditions must be completed by December 6
•Regular Decision auditions must be completed by March 1
What's The Process
APPLICATION PROCESS
•Two-step process: (1) Apply to George Mason University, (2) Open a SlideRoom account and submit audition materials
•University application must be on file prior to your audition
AUDITION DATES
•In-Person: November 15, 2025; February 13, 2026; February 21, 2026 (9:30 am – 4 pm)
•Virtual (Zoom): December 5, 2025; February 10, 2026; February 24, 2026 (3 pm – 6 pm)
SCHEDULING & FORMAT
•All applicants contacted by the School of Theater to schedule an audition time
•In-person applicants still required to complete the SlideRoom application
•In-person interviews follow immediately after auditions
•Online interviews scheduled shortly after receipt of online submissions
•Virtual auditions available — any applicant may submit video auditions through SlideRoom
DECISIONS
•Applicants notified within two weeks of interview, subject to university admission
•Those denied acceptance must wait one year before reapplying
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
Program info updated Mar 23, 11:43 PM
TRAINING
•BA Performance allows students to maintain wide-ranging interests across the school and university while building a focused acting skill set
•Students pursue an academic track in Performance as part of their 21 upper-division elective credits, with coursework in voice, movement, and scene study
•Individualized mentorship from faculty with professional DC-area theater credits
PRODUCTIONS & COMMUNITY
•Mason Players present two main stage and three student-directed studio productions each year
•GhostLight Players and Mason Improv Association offer additional performance outlets
•Theater majors can live among peer artists by joining the Arts Learning Community (Arts LLC)
LOCATION & OPPORTUNITIES
•Located in the DC/Northern Virginia metro area — strong access to internships, partnerships, and professional opportunities across the DMV theatre industry
•Proximity to Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, and other major regional companies
ADVANCED PATHWAYS
•Accelerated BA/MA pathway: earn a BA in Theater and MA in Arts Management in 150 credits
•Honors in the Major available for students with 75+ credits, 3.50 overall GPA, and 3.75 GPA in the major
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Michael Burgos '12 — internationally award-winning writer and performer; Chris Parsons Acting Award; diploma from École Philippe Gaulier
•Mildred Marie Langford '02 — trained at the School at Steppenwolf with founding members including Jeff Perry (Scandal) and Amy Morton (Chicago Fire)
Updated Mar 23, 11:43 PM
Academic School Information
3.69
Avg GPA (W)
87%
Admit Rate
69%
Grad Rate
27,752
Enrollment
$76,343
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$14,220
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$38,688
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$17,915
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.
Family Income $0 - $30k$11,942
Family Income $30k - $48k$12,093
Family Income $48k - $75k$15,224
Family Income $75k - $110k$19,430
Family Income $110k+$25,894
