Private school3.9K

Merrimack College

North Andover, MA

Faith-BasedTest-FreeGreek LifeLGBTQ+

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Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

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BA Creative Arts and Design

Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Training

Theatre Arts blends theatre history and theory with practical work in performance, technical theatre, design, directing, arts management, playwriting and dramaturgy

Required courses include Acting I, Technical Production for the Theatre, Design for the Theatre, Directing I and Theatre Practicum

Junior Portfolio Review and Senior Seminar with Capstone help students build a portfolio and final theatre-making project

Performance & Productions

OnStagers Dramatic Society produces two major theatre shows each year with acting and backstage opportunities for students from all majors

Recent CADA theatre news includes 2025 Kennedy Center ACTF award recipients and Alice By Heart ACTF Region 1 nominations

Notable Alumni

Featured CADA alumnus Charlie Day is known for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Horrible Bosses and Pacific Rim

Professional Development

Local theatre internship experience is encouraged within the Theatre Arts concentration

Creative Arts and Design students have access to guaranteed internship/co-op pathways and public capstone presentation opportunities

Value

Creative Arts and Design is advertised with $17K annual tuition

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.40

Admit rate

70%

school-wide

Grad rate

70%

Enrollment

3.9K

Earnings

$76K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$58,087

Before aid

Average net price

$37,927

After aid

Tuition Expenses · merrimack.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 5, 2:10 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Theatre Arts blends theatre history and theory with practical work in performance, technical theatre, design, directing, arts management, playwriting and dramaturgy

Required courses include Acting I, Technical Production for the Theatre, Design for the Theatre, Directing I and Theatre Practicum

Junior Portfolio Review and Senior Seminar with Capstone help students build a portfolio and final theatre-making project

Performance & Productions

OnStagers Dramatic Society produces two major theatre shows each year with acting and backstage opportunities for students from all majors

Recent CADA theatre news includes 2025 Kennedy Center ACTF award recipients and Alice By Heart ACTF Region 1 nominations

Notable Alumni

Featured CADA alumnus Charlie Day is known for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Horrible Bosses and Pacific Rim

Professional Development

Local theatre internship experience is encouraged within the Theatre Arts concentration

Creative Arts and Design students have access to guaranteed internship/co-op pathways and public capstone presentation opportunities

Value

Creative Arts and Design is advertised with $17K annual tuition

Program Highlights

Training

Theatre Arts blends theatre history and theory with practical work in performance, technical theatre, design, directing, arts management, playwriting and dramaturgy

Required courses include Acting I, Technical Production for the Theatre, Design for the Theatre, Directing I and Theatre Practicum

Junior Portfolio Review and Senior Seminar with Capstone help students build a portfolio and final theatre-making project

Performance & Productions

OnStagers Dramatic Society produces two major theatre shows each year with acting and backstage opportunities for students from all majors

Recent CADA theatre news includes 2025 Kennedy Center ACTF award recipients and Alice By Heart ACTF Region 1 nominations

Notable Alumni

Featured CADA alumnus Charlie Day is known for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Horrible Bosses and Pacific Rim

Professional Development

Local theatre internship experience is encouraged within the Theatre Arts concentration

Creative Arts and Design students have access to guaranteed internship/co-op pathways and public capstone presentation opportunities

Value

Creative Arts and Design is advertised with $17K annual tuition

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Early application deadlineNov 15, 2026

Early Action IIJan 15, 2027

Regular DecisionFeb 15, 2027

Additional DeadlineAug 15, 2027

Application Process · merrimack.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply via Common App or Merrimack Fast Track Application

No separate arts application is listed for first-year Creative Arts and Design applicants

Merrimack lists no application fee and does not require test scores, essays or recommendation letters for first-year admission

Enrollment

Fall and Spring start terms are listed for the Creative Arts and Design BA

Professional-level software and a professional-level laptop are required at the start of freshman year

Transfer Pathway

Transfer Creative Arts and Design applicants submit a portfolio or audition for faculty placement review; Merrimack also publishes broad transfer-credit pathways, including up to 93 credits under college policy.

Creative Arts And Design Ba · merrimack.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

First-year admission is through the university application process; Merrimack does not list a performance audition or portfolio requirement for first-year CADA applicants

Transfer applicants to Creative Arts and Design must submit a portfolio or audition for faculty review

Review may be completed in person or digitally and determines studio-course transfer and placement level

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.40

Admit rate

70%

school-wide

Grad rate

70%

Enrollment

3.9K

Earnings

$76K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$58,087

Before aid

Average net price

$37,927

After aid

Tuition Expenses · merrimack.edu College Scorecard

Training

Theatre Arts blends theatre history and theory with practical work in performance, technical theatre, design, directing, arts management, playwriting and dramaturgy

Required courses include Acting I, Technical Production for the Theatre, Design for the Theatre, Directing I and Theatre Practicum

Junior Portfolio Review and Senior Seminar with Capstone help students build a portfolio and final theatre-making project

Performance & Productions

OnStagers Dramatic Society produces two major theatre shows each year with acting and backstage opportunities for students from all majors

Recent CADA theatre news includes 2025 Kennedy Center ACTF award recipients and Alice By Heart ACTF Region 1 nominations

Notable Alumni

Featured CADA alumnus Charlie Day is known for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Horrible Bosses and Pacific Rim

Professional Development

Local theatre internship experience is encouraged within the Theatre Arts concentration

Creative Arts and Design students have access to guaranteed internship/co-op pathways and public capstone presentation opportunities

Value

Creative Arts and Design is advertised with $17K annual tuition

Updated Aug 5, 2:10 PM