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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Playwriting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Training

Intensive introduction to the art of dramatic writing for the stage

Focus on dramatic structure, relationship to literature, and how spoken word functions in performance

Playwriting workshops emphasize development of artistic voice, mastery of narrative structure, and critique skills

Required courses in acting, art history, directing, film, screenwriting, and English/literature

Theater history and dramaturgy provide cultural and historical context

Additional study in poetry, film, and screenwriting

Notable Alumni

Qui Nguyen (MFA) — co-founder of OBIE Award-winning Vampire Cowboys; Daytime Emmy winner for Peg+Cat

Reginald Edmund (MFA) — Kennedy Center award runner-up; Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best New Play

Laura Jacqmin (MFA ’07) — TV writer on Netflix’s One Piece and Peacock’s Joe Exotic

Professional Development

Graduates work behind the scenes in every aspect of staging plays, from dramaturgy to production

Student Organization of Undergraduate Playwrights (S.O.U.P.) hosts weekly writing workshops and produces one night of new short plays each month

Pathways to MA, MFA, and PhD programs

School Info

Snapshot

3.64

Avg GPA

85%

Admit Rate

school-wide

65%

Grad Rate

19.6K

Enrollment

$53K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$15,018

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$26,792

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$34,294

Before aid

Average Net Price

$21,637

After aid

Cost · ohio.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 3, 7:46 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Intensive introduction to the art of dramatic writing for the stage

Focus on dramatic structure, relationship to literature, and how spoken word functions in performance

Playwriting workshops emphasize development of artistic voice, mastery of narrative structure, and critique skills

Required courses in acting, art history, directing, film, screenwriting, and English/literature

Theater history and dramaturgy provide cultural and historical context

Additional study in poetry, film, and screenwriting

Notable Alumni

Qui Nguyen (MFA) — co-founder of OBIE Award-winning Vampire Cowboys; Daytime Emmy winner for Peg+Cat

Reginald Edmund (MFA) — Kennedy Center award runner-up; Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best New Play

Laura Jacqmin (MFA ’07) — TV writer on Netflix’s One Piece and Peacock’s Joe Exotic

Professional Development

Graduates work behind the scenes in every aspect of staging plays, from dramaturgy to production

Student Organization of Undergraduate Playwrights (S.O.U.P.) hosts weekly writing workshops and produces one night of new short plays each month

Pathways to MA, MFA, and PhD programs

Program Highlights

Training

Intensive introduction to the art of dramatic writing for the stage

Focus on dramatic structure, relationship to literature, and how spoken word functions in performance

Playwriting workshops emphasize development of artistic voice, mastery of narrative structure, and critique skills

Required courses in acting, art history, directing, film, screenwriting, and English/literature

Theater history and dramaturgy provide cultural and historical context

Additional study in poetry, film, and screenwriting

Notable Alumni

Qui Nguyen (MFA) — co-founder of OBIE Award-winning Vampire Cowboys; Daytime Emmy winner for Peg+Cat

Reginald Edmund (MFA) — Kennedy Center award runner-up; Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best New Play

Laura Jacqmin (MFA ’07) — TV writer on Netflix’s One Piece and Peacock’s Joe Exotic

Professional Development

Graduates work behind the scenes in every aspect of staging plays, from dramaturgy to production

Student Organization of Undergraduate Playwrights (S.O.U.P.) hosts weekly writing workshops and produces one night of new short plays each month

Pathways to MA, MFA, and PhD programs

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

$70

Deadline

First-year applicants

Early ActionNov 15, 2026

Rolling AdmissionFeb 1, 2027

Transfer applicants

Transfer Application PriorityJun 15, 2027

Transfer TranscriptJul 1, 2027

Dates Deadlines · ohio.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Audition

School of Theater Audition and Interview DayJan 16, 2027

Theater Auditions · ohio.edu

Prescreen Requirements

This program has a required admission interview and a separate internal interview gate after enrollment. The gateway source documents the post-enrollment gate; admission requirement details may be separate.Gateway source

Portfolio

Writing sample of at least 10 pages, up to 30 pages maximum

Dramatic writing samples are typically preferred

May submit any creative writing or academic/scholarly writing that represents your voice as an artist

Submit through your applicant status portal ("My Documents" section)

Theater Auditions · ohio.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Admission Pathway

Enter BFA directly through interview and writing sample as a high school senior

Or enter through BA in Theater and interview at end of first year

Contact

Questions about interviews and materials: foxj5@ohio.edu

Transfer Pathway

Transfer applicants must complete the Playwriting interview and writing-portfolio review. Theater courses must be pre-qualified through Ohio's Transfer Assurance Guide or evaluated by the BFA program head or School of Theater assistant director.

Theater Auditions · ohio.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Interview and writing sample required for BFA admission

Schedule the interview by emailing Jessica Fox at foxj5@ohio.edu

Submit the required writing sample through the applicant status portal after applying to OHIO

Students may also enter through the BA in Theater and interview at the end of the first year

Audition Expectations

Interviews are designed to get to know theater faculty and learn about the program

Applicants discuss their work, big ideas, and goals

Scholarship Info

Talent-Based Awards

Fine Arts Talent Awards available to incoming students based on talent

Interview day also serves as scholarship evaluation

Additional Funding

Must submit FAFSA for full eligibility for OHIO scholarships and awards

Spring semester opportunity to apply for additional scholarship money via essays

School Info

Snapshot

3.64

Avg GPA

85%

Admit Rate

school-wide

65%

Grad Rate

19.6K

Enrollment

$53K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$15,018

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$26,792

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$34,294

Before aid

Average Net Price

$21,637

After aid

Cost · ohio.edu College Scorecard

Training

Intensive introduction to the art of dramatic writing for the stage

Focus on dramatic structure, relationship to literature, and how spoken word functions in performance

Playwriting workshops emphasize development of artistic voice, mastery of narrative structure, and critique skills

Required courses in acting, art history, directing, film, screenwriting, and English/literature

Theater history and dramaturgy provide cultural and historical context

Additional study in poetry, film, and screenwriting

Notable Alumni

Qui Nguyen (MFA) — co-founder of OBIE Award-winning Vampire Cowboys; Daytime Emmy winner for Peg+Cat

Reginald Edmund (MFA) — Kennedy Center award runner-up; Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best New Play

Laura Jacqmin (MFA ’07) — TV writer on Netflix’s One Piece and Peacock’s Joe Exotic

Professional Development

Graduates work behind the scenes in every aspect of staging plays, from dramaturgy to production

Student Organization of Undergraduate Playwrights (S.O.U.P.) hosts weekly writing workshops and produces one night of new short plays each month

Pathways to MA, MFA, and PhD programs

Updated Sep 3, 7:46 PM