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Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveStudy Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveStudy Abroad

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Theatre and Screen Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveStudy Abroad

Training

BA in Theatre and Screen Arts combining stage performance with film production

Dual focus: acting for live theatre and behind-the-scenes film production

Coursework drawn from both Theatre Arts and Screen Arts departments

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage theatre productions annually plus a fully-staged opera

Smothers Theatre (450 seats), considered one of the finest theatres of its size in Los Angeles

Access to film production facilities and equipment

Notable Alumni

Mason McCulley — recurring on HBO's Westworld and Insecure; Grey's Anatomy, Castle; curated Master Class Series with Anthony Hopkins, Alfred Molina, and Betty Buckley

April Rock — series regular on BYUtv's Studio C (actor, writer, director); CBS's Criminal Minds; Nickelodeon's Game Shakers

Nate Bartoshuk — performed 2,000+ shows as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things Drive Into Experience; optioned feature screenplay People Live Here

Victory Palmsiano-Bruckner — creative producer for Viacom, NBCUniversal, OWN, and Disney; co-founded Quantum Spin Studios

Location

Malibu campus with proximity to Los Angeles entertainment industry

Unique position for students interested in both theatre and film

Value

~75% of theatre majors receive scholarships

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.61

Admit rate

63%

school-wide

Grad rate

83%

Enrollment

3.6K

Earnings

$83K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$75,202

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$100,328

Before aid

Average net price

$58,098

After aid

Budget Costs · seaver.pepperdine.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 13, 9:49 PM

Program Highlights

Training

BA in Theatre and Screen Arts combining stage performance with film production

Dual focus: acting for live theatre and behind-the-scenes film production

Coursework drawn from both Theatre Arts and Screen Arts departments

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage theatre productions annually plus a fully-staged opera

Smothers Theatre (450 seats), considered one of the finest theatres of its size in Los Angeles

Access to film production facilities and equipment

Notable Alumni

Mason McCulley — recurring on HBO's Westworld and Insecure; Grey's Anatomy, Castle; curated Master Class Series with Anthony Hopkins, Alfred Molina, and Betty Buckley

April Rock — series regular on BYUtv's Studio C (actor, writer, director); CBS's Criminal Minds; Nickelodeon's Game Shakers

Nate Bartoshuk — performed 2,000+ shows as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things Drive Into Experience; optioned feature screenplay People Live Here

Victory Palmsiano-Bruckner — creative producer for Viacom, NBCUniversal, OWN, and Disney; co-founded Quantum Spin Studios

Location

Malibu campus with proximity to Los Angeles entertainment industry

Unique position for students interested in both theatre and film

Value

~75% of theatre majors receive scholarships

Program Highlights

Training

BA in Theatre and Screen Arts combining stage performance with film production

Dual focus: acting for live theatre and behind-the-scenes film production

Coursework drawn from both Theatre Arts and Screen Arts departments

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage theatre productions annually plus a fully-staged opera

Smothers Theatre (450 seats), considered one of the finest theatres of its size in Los Angeles

Access to film production facilities and equipment

Notable Alumni

Mason McCulley — recurring on HBO's Westworld and Insecure; Grey's Anatomy, Castle; curated Master Class Series with Anthony Hopkins, Alfred Molina, and Betty Buckley

April Rock — series regular on BYUtv's Studio C (actor, writer, director); CBS's Criminal Minds; Nickelodeon's Game Shakers

Nate Bartoshuk — performed 2,000+ shows as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things Drive Into Experience; optioned feature screenplay People Live Here

Victory Palmsiano-Bruckner — creative producer for Viacom, NBCUniversal, OWN, and Disney; co-founded Quantum Spin Studios

Location

Malibu campus with proximity to Los Angeles entertainment industry

Unique position for students interested in both theatre and film

Value

~75% of theatre majors receive scholarships

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

$70

Deadline

Early application deadlineNov 1, 2026

Early Decision IIRegular DecisionTransfer ApplicationJan 15, 2027

Deadlines · seaver.pepperdine.edu

Program AppApplication

Deadline

Fine Arts Application (Early Action/Early Decision)Nov 11, 2026

Fine Arts Application (Regular Decision/Transfer)Jan 27, 2027

Auditions

Live Audition Day - Early Action/Early Decision (virtual only)Oct 31, 2026

Live Audition Day - Early Action/Early Decision (virtual or in-person)Nov 14, 2026

Live Audition Day - Regular Decision (virtual only)Jan 16, 2027

Live Audition Day - Regular Decision (virtual or in-person)Jan 30, 2027

Audition · seaver.pepperdine.edu

Program Submission

Monologues

Two Contrasting Monologues

Two contrasting monologue selections

All material must be memorized

Full body in frame for recorded videos

Additional Materials

Theatre & Film Resume

Combined theatre and film production resume

Film Production Video

Video demonstrating film production experience

Should showcase film production skills and interest

Applicants without video footage may submit a supplementary essay demonstrating interest in film production

Fine Arts Letters

Two required Fine Arts letters of recommendation

Theatre And Screen Arts · seaver.pepperdine.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Two Contrasting Monologues

Same requirements as recorded audition

May use same selections or choose different pieces

May be asked to perform one or both

Theatre And Screen Arts · seaver.pepperdine.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to Seaver College via Common App

Complete Fine Arts supplemental application in your Pepperdine Application Portal

Submit all supplementary materials by the deadline

Important Notes

This is not a screen acting degree

Combines on-stage theatre performance training with behind-the-scenes film production training

Coursework from both Theatre Arts and Screen Arts majors

Film production video can be replaced with a supplementary essay if no footage available

Applicants experiencing hardship may contact the Fine Arts Recruitment Office for accommodations

Virtual and in-person auditions are treated equitably

What's The Process

Audition Process

Upload recorded audition materials through the Pepperdine Application Portal by the application deadline

Submit each piece as a separate video file, unedited and uninterrupted

Include a short video introduction with your name, recording date(s), and selections

Full body in frame for monologue videos

Audition Expectations

Strongly encouraged but not required

Available in-person on campus or via Zoom

Perform one or both monologues (same requirements as recorded audition)

May use same or different selections from recorded audition

Followed by a brief interview with theatre faculty

Arrive 15 minutes prior to audition time

Practice rooms may be available upon request

Contact: fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu or 310.506.4111

Scholarship Info

Fine Arts Scholarships

Approximately 75% of all theatre majors receive theatre scholarships of varying amounts

Automatically considered for Fine Arts scholarships by auditioning (opt-out available)

No additional scholarship application required

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.61

Admit rate

63%

school-wide

Grad rate

83%

Enrollment

3.6K

Earnings

$83K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$75,202

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$100,328

Before aid

Average net price

$58,098

After aid

Budget Costs · seaver.pepperdine.edu College Scorecard

Training

BA in Theatre and Screen Arts combining stage performance with film production

Dual focus: acting for live theatre and behind-the-scenes film production

Coursework drawn from both Theatre Arts and Screen Arts departments

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage theatre productions annually plus a fully-staged opera

Smothers Theatre (450 seats), considered one of the finest theatres of its size in Los Angeles

Access to film production facilities and equipment

Notable Alumni

Mason McCulley — recurring on HBO's Westworld and Insecure; Grey's Anatomy, Castle; curated Master Class Series with Anthony Hopkins, Alfred Molina, and Betty Buckley

April Rock — series regular on BYUtv's Studio C (actor, writer, director); CBS's Criminal Minds; Nickelodeon's Game Shakers

Nate Bartoshuk — performed 2,000+ shows as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things Drive Into Experience; optioned feature screenplay People Live Here

Victory Palmsiano-Bruckner — creative producer for Viacom, NBCUniversal, OWN, and Disney; co-founded Quantum Spin Studios

Location

Malibu campus with proximity to Los Angeles entertainment industry

Unique position for students interested in both theatre and film

Value

~75% of theatre majors receive scholarships

Updated Aug 13, 9:49 PM

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