Private school2.3K

Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA

Faith-BasedTest-Optional

Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Browse programs

Concentrations

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BA Theatre

Directing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Directing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Design and Technical Production

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BA Dance Education

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

PROGRAM RECOGNITION

•NAST accredited (National Association of Schools of Theatre)

TRAINING

•Foundational and intimate knowledge of the theatrical process

•Coursework in directing theory, acting, design, and production

•Apply skills to studio projects and fully mounted productions

•Senior Capstone Project: direct a fully mounted one-act play

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

•Alpha Psi Omega — National Theatre Honor Society chapter

•Rogue Theatre Festival (student-run) each spring

STUDY ABROAD

•Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin; Royal Holloway, University of London; Wesley Institute, Sydney

•Enrichment typically during junior year

Academic info

Snapshot

79%

Admit Rate

school-wide

77%

Grad Rate

2.3K

Enrollment

$54K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$26,502

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$42,240

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$19,393

$30-48k$20,317

$48-75k$20,916

$75-110k$23,574

$110k+$31,847

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated 6d ago

Program Highlights

PROGRAM RECOGNITION

•NAST accredited (National Association of Schools of Theatre)

TRAINING

•Foundational and intimate knowledge of the theatrical process

•Coursework in directing theory, acting, design, and production

•Apply skills to studio projects and fully mounted productions

•Senior Capstone Project: direct a fully mounted one-act play

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

•Alpha Psi Omega — National Theatre Honor Society chapter

•Rogue Theatre Festival (student-run) each spring

STUDY ABROAD

•Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin; Royal Holloway, University of London; Wesley Institute, Sydney

•Enrichment typically during junior year

Program Highlights

PROGRAM RECOGNITION

•NAST accredited (National Association of Schools of Theatre)

TRAINING

•Foundational and intimate knowledge of the theatrical process

•Coursework in directing theory, acting, design, and production

•Apply skills to studio projects and fully mounted productions

•Senior Capstone Project: direct a fully mounted one-act play

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

•Alpha Psi Omega — National Theatre Honor Society chapter

•Rogue Theatre Festival (student-run) each spring

STUDY ABROAD

•Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin; Royal Holloway, University of London; Wesley Institute, Sydney

•Enrichment typically during junior year

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Fees

Direct Application Fee

$50Waiver

Waived automatically through Nov. 15

Common App Fee

$50Waiver

Use code FALL for waiver through Nov. 15 (domestic students)

Program AppApplication

Apply

Auditions

Fall Campus AuditionOct 30, 2026

Fall Campus AuditionNov 20, 2026

Spring Campus AuditionJan 30, 2027

Spring Campus AuditionFeb 15, 2027

Spring Campus AuditionFeb 27, 2027

Audition Requirements

Monologues

REQUIREMENTS

•One Contemporary MONOLOGUE, 90 sec max

•From a contemporary play

•Must be memorized

Additional Materials

Artist's statement (required)

•350-word statement introducing you as a theatre artist

•Include: your work ethic, unique qualities, what inspires you, why you want to study theatre

•Indicate interest in the directing emphasis

Written component (required)

•Choose one of the following options:

-Option 1: 500-word director's concept statement for a realized or unrealized production

-Option 2: 500-word response to a director's choices in a production you recently attended

•Must be submitted 10 business days before scheduled portfolio review

Photo (required)

•Recent photo — professional headshot not required

Resume (required)

•Should include your work in theatre

Submission

•Materials due 10 business days before your audition date

•Submit as PDF or JPG files via email

Official Source

Good to Know

APPLICATION LOGISTICS

•Apply to Messiah University via Common App or direct application

•Application materials due 10 business days before audition date

•Campus auditions are preferred

What's The Process

AUDITION PROCESS

•Contact Deb Hawkins at dhawkins@messiah.edu or 717-796-5045

•Individual auditions may be arranged outside formal audition dates

AUDITION EXPECTATIONS

•Perform one contemporary monologue, present written component, and interview with department faculty

•All applicants must audition for and interview with the department's faculty

•Acceptance by the University does not guarantee acceptance into the Department

•Available for students unable to attend in person due to travel distance or hardship

•Submit video link along with artist's statement, resume, and photos

•A phone or Zoom interview will be scheduled following submission

Academic info

Snapshot

79%

Admit Rate

school-wide

77%

Grad Rate

2.3K

Enrollment

$54K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$26,502

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$42,240

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$19,393

$30-48k$20,317

$48-75k$20,916

$75-110k$23,574

$110k+$31,847

View full data on College Scorecard

PROGRAM RECOGNITION

•NAST accredited (National Association of Schools of Theatre)

TRAINING

•Foundational and intimate knowledge of the theatrical process

•Coursework in directing theory, acting, design, and production

•Apply skills to studio projects and fully mounted productions

•Senior Capstone Project: direct a fully mounted one-act play

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

•Alpha Psi Omega — National Theatre Honor Society chapter

•Rogue Theatre Festival (student-run) each spring

STUDY ABROAD

•Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin; Royal Holloway, University of London; Wesley Institute, Sydney

•Enrichment typically during junior year

Updated 6d ago

Messiah University

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

School Info