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North Carolina Central University

Durham, NCPublicCity
HBCUTest-OptionalGreek LifeLGBTQ+

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Program Characteristics

No Prescreen
Gateway Audition
No Interview
In-Person Only
University App Required

Program Highlights

PROGRAM RECOGNITION

Part of a department listed among the top ten theatre schools at an HBCU

TRAINING

Intense training focused on character creation, audition procedures, and performance techniques
Faculty mentorship and individual coaching for auditions, competitions, and graduate school preparation
Coursework includes Acting II, Advanced Directing, Classical Acting, and Acting III

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Must perform in at least two departmental productions annually
Must audition for each departmental production

Key Info

University App

Apply atCommon App
Deadlines
First PriorityOct 15, 2026
Second PriorityNov 15, 2026
Third PriorityJan 15, 2027
Rolling
Fee
$50Waiver

Audition Requirements

No audition required to apply. Students audition for the program after enrolling at the university.
Optional audition for scholarship consideration — not required for program admission.
Monologues

TWO CONTRASTING 1-MINUTE MONOLOGUES

Must contrast through dramatic form or period style
Performed for a panel of at least three performance faculty members

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Acting ability and believability
Diction, volume, and vocal technique
Physicality and movement
Stage presence and professionalism
Songs

OPTIONAL MUSICAL SELECTION

32 bars of a musical selection with accompaniment
Not required but may be performed in addition to monologues
Wildcard / Special Skill
N/A

Good to Know

APPLICATION DETAILS

Apply to the university via Common App or the NCCU website
University application fee: $50 (fee waivers accepted via SAT/College Board)
No separate departmental application portal

CONTINUATION REQUIREMENTS

Perform in at least two departmental productions annually
Maintain schedule accommodating evening rehearsals

What's The Process

GATEWAY AUDITION

Students must audition and be accepted into this concentration by the second semester of their sophomore year
Audition is conducted on campus by at least three performance faculty members
No external audition portal — auditions are held in person within the department

AUDITION SCHEDULE

Spring: second week of May
Fall: first week of classes
Winter: first week of classes

Scholarship Info

DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarship recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
Must meet all audition or portfolio criteria for their concentration
Contact the Department of Theatre for scholarship availability
Program info updated 1d ago

Academic School Information

3.25
Avg GPA (W)
87%
Admit Rate
44%
Grad Rate
6,081
Enrollment
$42,968
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$6,699
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,735
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$15,359
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.

Annual Cost by Family Income
Family Income $0 - $30k$13,032
Family Income $30k - $48k$13,882
Family Income $48k - $75k$17,527
Family Income $75k - $110k$22,401
Family Income $110k+$23,658