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Otterbein University

Westerville, OH

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Browse programs

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BFA Theatre Design and Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Quick Links

BFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theatre

General

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 Students

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theatre

Integrated Dance Minor

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Quick Links

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BFA Theatre Design and Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Training

•Immersive, hands-on program covering ALL areas of technical theatre — scenic/properties, lighting, sound, costumes, and stage management

•From the very first semester, students work in valuable positions on mainstage productions

•Students progress from entry-level crew to highest-level positions including mainstage design roles

•Productions staged in a 1,200-seat proscenium theatre and a smaller thrust space

Notable Alumni

•T.J. Gerckens — Drama Desk Award-winning lighting designer; credits include Broadway's Metamorphoses, Metropolitan Opera, La Scala Milan (now Otterbein faculty)

•David Robinson — costume designer who assisted on Broadway's Phantom of the Opera; Emmy-nominated for Escape at Dannemora

Professional Development

•Potential ten-week internship at a New York or professional regional theatre

•Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

•Alumni working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at Walt Disney World, and regional theatres nationwide

Degree Flexibility

•Most students elect to focus upper-level study in one or two concentration areas

•Annual evaluations and workshops on portfolios and resumes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2026: 6 students

School Info

Snapshot

3.63

Avg GPA

85%

Admit Rate

school-wide

68%

Grad Rate

2.2K

Enrollment

$53K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$38,040

Before aid

Average Net Price

$19,237

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 4d ago

Program Highlights

Training

•Immersive, hands-on program covering ALL areas of technical theatre — scenic/properties, lighting, sound, costumes, and stage management

•From the very first semester, students work in valuable positions on mainstage productions

•Students progress from entry-level crew to highest-level positions including mainstage design roles

•Productions staged in a 1,200-seat proscenium theatre and a smaller thrust space

Notable Alumni

•T.J. Gerckens — Drama Desk Award-winning lighting designer; credits include Broadway's Metamorphoses, Metropolitan Opera, La Scala Milan (now Otterbein faculty)

•David Robinson — costume designer who assisted on Broadway's Phantom of the Opera; Emmy-nominated for Escape at Dannemora

Professional Development

•Potential ten-week internship at a New York or professional regional theatre

•Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

•Alumni working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at Walt Disney World, and regional theatres nationwide

Degree Flexibility

•Most students elect to focus upper-level study in one or two concentration areas

•Annual evaluations and workshops on portfolios and resumes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2026: 6 students

Program Highlights

Training

•Immersive, hands-on program covering ALL areas of technical theatre — scenic/properties, lighting, sound, costumes, and stage management

•From the very first semester, students work in valuable positions on mainstage productions

•Students progress from entry-level crew to highest-level positions including mainstage design roles

•Productions staged in a 1,200-seat proscenium theatre and a smaller thrust space

Notable Alumni

•T.J. Gerckens — Drama Desk Award-winning lighting designer; credits include Broadway's Metamorphoses, Metropolitan Opera, La Scala Milan (now Otterbein faculty)

•David Robinson — costume designer who assisted on Broadway's Phantom of the Opera; Emmy-nominated for Escape at Dannemora

Professional Development

•Potential ten-week internship at a New York or professional regional theatre

•Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

•Alumni working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at Walt Disney World, and regional theatres nationwide

Degree Flexibility

•Most students elect to focus upper-level study in one or two concentration areas

•Annual evaluations and workshops on portfolios and resumes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2026: 6 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Deadline

Early ActionDec 15, 2025

Regular DecisionRolling

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

Acceptd ProfileJan 31, 2026

Auditions

Virtual InterviewJan 12, 2026

In-Person Campus Visit & InterviewJan 16, 2026

In-Person Campus Visit & InterviewJan 23, 2026

Virtual InterviewJan 26, 2026

In-Person Campus Visit & InterviewJan 30, 2026

Virtual InterviewFeb 2, 2026

In-Person Campus Visit & InterviewFeb 6, 2026

Virtual InterviewFeb 9, 2026

In-Person Campus Visit & InterviewFeb 13, 2026

Virtual InterviewFeb 16, 2026

In-Person Campus Visit & InterviewFeb 20, 2026

In-Person Campus Visit & InterviewFeb 27, 2026

Prescreen Requirements

Resume

•Include production positions, special skills/proficiencies, GPA/test scores if available, artistic/leadership experience, and optional online portfolio link

Letters of Recommendation

•Submit two letters of recommendation from teachers or theatre professionals familiar with your work

•Enter recommender email addresses in Acceptd; teachers receive upload links after submission

Video

•Introduction up to 2.5 minutes

•Introduce yourself and your main areas of interest: scenic, costume, lighting, sound, stage management, or other

•Describe your experience and skills, why you want design/technology, and why Otterbein fits your goals

•Make sure reviewers can see and hear you

Headshot

•Or similar recent photo

Portfolio

•Submit a portfolio with 3-4 examples of strongest recent theatre work

•Combine each show/project into one PDF when possible

•Label photos/documents with show title, theatre/venue, director, and your role

•Stage managers may include up to 5 prompt/calling-script pages plus reports or paperwork samples

•Sound/projection applicants may include audio/video clips, technical plans, research, or raw files

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Submit university application first, then create an Acceptd profile

•Acceptd profile deadline is January 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST

•If your profile meets criteria, you will be invited to schedule a final interview in January or February

•Scheduling is first-come, first-served; earlier submissions have wider date selection

•University admission and BFA Design & Technology decisions are made on a rolling basis

•Must be accepted to both the university and the BFA program to enroll in Design & Technology coursework

Eligibility

•Department accepts transfer students in BFA Theatre Design & Technology

•Contact Office of Adult, Transfer & Graduate Admission at 614-823-1500

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Full in-person campus visit on interview days lasts 9:00am–3:30pm

Audition Expectations

•Two-way conversation between you and the entire BFA Design & Technology faculty and teaching staff

•Visit begins with a conversation with a faculty member for program overview and Q&A

•Scheduling a campus visit in tandem with your interview allows you to sit in on classes

Interview Preparation

•Bring 1-5 copies of your resume outlining theatre experience and relevant skills

•Bring a portfolio with visual examples whenever possible, such as drafting, drawings, photographs, or small project samples

Decisions

•University admission and BFA Design & Technology decisions made on a rolling basis

•Students must be accepted to both the university and the BFA program to enroll in Design & Technology coursework

Contact

•theatre@otterbein.edu

Scholarship Info

•Theatre Talent Awards for BFA Design Tech and BA Theatre are $3,000-$8,000

•Awarded to admitted students through portfolio review or interview

•Awards stack on the base merit award

School Info

Snapshot

3.63

Avg GPA

85%

Admit Rate

school-wide

68%

Grad Rate

2.2K

Enrollment

$53K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$38,040

Before aid

Average Net Price

$19,237

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•Immersive, hands-on program covering ALL areas of technical theatre — scenic/properties, lighting, sound, costumes, and stage management

•From the very first semester, students work in valuable positions on mainstage productions

•Students progress from entry-level crew to highest-level positions including mainstage design roles

•Productions staged in a 1,200-seat proscenium theatre and a smaller thrust space

Notable Alumni

•T.J. Gerckens — Drama Desk Award-winning lighting designer; credits include Broadway's Metamorphoses, Metropolitan Opera, La Scala Milan (now Otterbein faculty)

•David Robinson — costume designer who assisted on Broadway's Phantom of the Opera; Emmy-nominated for Escape at Dannemora

Professional Development

•Potential ten-week internship at a New York or professional regional theatre

•Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

•Alumni working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at Walt Disney World, and regional theatres nationwide

Degree Flexibility

•Most students elect to focus upper-level study in one or two concentration areas

•Annual evaluations and workshops on portfolios and resumes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2026: 6 students

Updated 4d ago