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Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Theatre

Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 Students

Training

Training with working professionals in the NYC metropolitan area

Acceptance criteria: Presence, Connection, Choices, Thoughts, Point of View, Body/Voice Application

Students absent 2+ semesters must re-audition for the program

Notable Alumni

Bruce Willis — Die Hard franchise, Moonlighting

Jason Biggs — American Pie, Orange Is the New Black

Tobin Bell — Saw franchise

Dania Ramirez — Heroes, Entourage, The Sopranos

Carlos E. Gonzalez '11 — Broadway: On Your Feet

Kira Player '19 — Broadway: Harry Potter & the Cursed Child

Professional Development

Ranked among best acting schools in New Jersey by Backstage Magazine

30 minutes from Manhattan with direct transit access to NYC industry

Department produces 7-10 musicals, plays, and dance concerts annually

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.33

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

65%

Enrollment

18.4K

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,854

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$27,570

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$38,828

Before aid

Average net price

$15,566

After aid

Tuition And Fees · montclair.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 2d ago

Program Highlights

Training

Training with working professionals in the NYC metropolitan area

Acceptance criteria: Presence, Connection, Choices, Thoughts, Point of View, Body/Voice Application

Students absent 2+ semesters must re-audition for the program

Notable Alumni

Bruce Willis — Die Hard franchise, Moonlighting

Jason Biggs — American Pie, Orange Is the New Black

Tobin Bell — Saw franchise

Dania Ramirez — Heroes, Entourage, The Sopranos

Carlos E. Gonzalez '11 — Broadway: On Your Feet

Kira Player '19 — Broadway: Harry Potter & the Cursed Child

Professional Development

Ranked among best acting schools in New Jersey by Backstage Magazine

30 minutes from Manhattan with direct transit access to NYC industry

Department produces 7-10 musicals, plays, and dance concerts annually

Program Highlights

Training

Training with working professionals in the NYC metropolitan area

Acceptance criteria: Presence, Connection, Choices, Thoughts, Point of View, Body/Voice Application

Students absent 2+ semesters must re-audition for the program

Notable Alumni

Bruce Willis — Die Hard franchise, Moonlighting

Jason Biggs — American Pie, Orange Is the New Black

Tobin Bell — Saw franchise

Dania Ramirez — Heroes, Entourage, The Sopranos

Carlos E. Gonzalez '11 — Broadway: On Your Feet

Kira Player '19 — Broadway: Harry Potter & the Cursed Child

Professional Development

Ranked among best acting schools in New Jersey by Backstage Magazine

30 minutes from Manhattan with direct transit access to NYC industry

Department produces 7-10 musicals, plays, and dance concerts annually

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Fee

$65

Deadline

First-year applicants

Freshman — Fall Early Action (non-binding)Dec 1, 2026

Freshman — Fall Regular AdmissionFreshman — Fall Scholarship ConsiderationMar 1, 2027

Transfer applicants

Transfer — Fall PreferredApr 15, 2027

Transfer — Fall FinalJun 15, 2027

How Apply Montclairs Undergraduate Programs · montclair.edu

Program AppApplication

Fee

Audition Fee

$65

Deadline

Prescreen Deadline — On-Campus Audition Round

Nov 12, 2026Jan 13, 2027Feb 20, 2027Mar 3, 2027

Prescreen Deadline — Virtual Audition Round

Dec 16, 2026Feb 6, 2027

Auditions

On-Campus Audition — Montclair, NJ

Dec 12, 2026Feb 13, 2027Mar 20, 2027Apr 3, 2027

Virtual Audition

Jan 16, 2027Mar 6, 2027

NYC Unifieds Audition — New York, NYJan 23–24, 2027

Chicago Unifieds Audition — Chicago, ILFeb 1 & 3–4, 2027

LA Unifieds Audition — Los Angeles, CAFeb 6, 2027

Acting · apply.montclair.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Monologues

Requirements

Two contrasting monologues, 2 min max each

One contemporary monologue from a full-length play

One classical monologue from a full-length play

Submit as YouTube or Vimeo links

Prescreen must be submitted at least 4 weeks before desired audition date

Dance

Movement/physicality evaluated during group movement call at live audition

No formal dance requirement

Additional Materials

Headshot

Upload a headshot or 8x10 color photo

Resume

Include acting experience

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters required

One from an academic teacher and one from an acting teacher, coach, or director

Statement

Personal statement required

Transcript

Transcripts required

Prescreen Notes

Prescreen due at least 4 weeks before desired audition date

If not accepted based on prescreen, applicant is notified by email

BFA Theatre · montclair.edu

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Requirements

Two Contrasting Monologues

Same two contrasting monologues (can be same as prescreen)

Be prepared to work with faculty on material

Dance

Group Movement Call

Group movement call included in full audition

No formal dance requirement

BFA Theatre · montclair.edu

University Essays

College of the Arts personal statement

No length limit stated

Discuss why you wish to study your program of choice in the College of the Arts at Montclair. Include highlights of your experience related to your chosen academic program and how those experiences have shaped your current career goals.

Essay Prompts · montclair.edu How Apply Montclairs Undergraduate Programs · montclair.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit the university application before registering for an audition

Partner-organization auditions such as NYC, Chicago, or LA Unifieds do not require a prescreen video

Partner-audition applicants must register through Montclair so the audition result connects to the university application

Required non-prescreen materials are still submitted through the university application portal

Enrollment

Fall enrollment only

What's The Process

Audition Process

Two-step process: prescreen then live audition by invitation

Zoom audition option available

Audition Expectations

Full audition is approximately 3 hours

Includes: group movement call, working session with 2 monologues, faculty/student interaction

Zoom audition follows the same schedule online

Contact

Acting auditions: actingauditions@montclair.edu

Scholarship Info

Merit Scholarships

Artistic merit scholarships based on audition performance

Academic merit aid for students with 3.0+ GPA

Need-Based Aid

Need-based housing grants and financial aid available via FAFSA

Additional scholarships through College of the Arts (apply in Spring semester)

Application

No separate application required for merit and artistic scholarships

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.33

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

65%

Enrollment

18.4K

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,854

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$27,570

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$38,828

Before aid

Average net price

$15,566

After aid

Tuition And Fees · montclair.edu College Scorecard

Training

Training with working professionals in the NYC metropolitan area

Acceptance criteria: Presence, Connection, Choices, Thoughts, Point of View, Body/Voice Application

Students absent 2+ semesters must re-audition for the program

Notable Alumni

Bruce Willis — Die Hard franchise, Moonlighting

Jason Biggs — American Pie, Orange Is the New Black

Tobin Bell — Saw franchise

Dania Ramirez — Heroes, Entourage, The Sopranos

Carlos E. Gonzalez '11 — Broadway: On Your Feet

Kira Player '19 — Broadway: Harry Potter & the Cursed Child

Professional Development

Ranked among best acting schools in New Jersey by Backstage Magazine

30 minutes from Manhattan with direct transit access to NYC industry

Department produces 7-10 musicals, plays, and dance concerts annually

Updated 2d ago