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Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsStudy AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsStudy AbroadTransfer In Friendly

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BFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsStudy AbroadTransfer In Friendly

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 Selective12-24 StudentsStudy AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Ultra-Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Stage Management

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective12-24 Students

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

Selective12-24 Students

Quick Links

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Training

•Pre-professional training for professional theatre careers

•Meisner, Fitzmaurice Voicework, Michael Chekhov, Laban, devising, singing, martial arts, Shakespeare, Lecoq, mask work, accents/dialects, Hip Hop theatre

Performance & Productions

•Penn State Centre Stage casting opportunities each semester

Notable Alumni

•Jonathan Frakes — Commander Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation (BFA '74)

•Keegan-Michael Key — Key & Peele, co-creator and star (MFA '96)

Study Abroad

•Includes one semester at Theatre Academy London

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 18 students

School Info

Snapshot

3.84

Avg GPA (W)

61%

Admit Rate

school-wide

86%

Grad Rate

42.3K

Enrollment

$63K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$21,518

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$45,214

Before aid

Average Net Price

$32,875

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 6d ago

Program Highlights

Training

•Pre-professional training for professional theatre careers

•Meisner, Fitzmaurice Voicework, Michael Chekhov, Laban, devising, singing, martial arts, Shakespeare, Lecoq, mask work, accents/dialects, Hip Hop theatre

Performance & Productions

•Penn State Centre Stage casting opportunities each semester

Notable Alumni

•Jonathan Frakes — Commander Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation (BFA '74)

•Keegan-Michael Key — Key & Peele, co-creator and star (MFA '96)

Study Abroad

•Includes one semester at Theatre Academy London

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 18 students

Program Highlights

Training

•Pre-professional training for professional theatre careers

•Meisner, Fitzmaurice Voicework, Michael Chekhov, Laban, devising, singing, martial arts, Shakespeare, Lecoq, mask work, accents/dialects, Hip Hop theatre

Performance & Productions

•Penn State Centre Stage casting opportunities each semester

Notable Alumni

•Jonathan Frakes — Commander Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation (BFA '74)

•Keegan-Michael Key — Key & Peele, co-creator and star (MFA '96)

Study Abroad

•Includes one semester at Theatre Academy London

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 18 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fees

Domestic Fee

$65

International Fee

$75

Deadline

Early ActionNov 1, 2026

PriorityDec 1, 2026

Regular DecisionRolling

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

PriorityNov 30, 2026

FinalPrescreenDec 31, 2026

Auditions

On-Campus (University Park, PA)

Dec 5, 2026Jan 16, 23 & 30, 2027

Virtual (via Zoom)

Jan 30, 2027Feb 6 & 14, 2027

Official Source

Prescreen Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Monologues

Two Contrasting Monologues

•From published plays

•Each no longer than 90 seconds

Prescreen

•No more than 60 seconds

•Share anything you'd like that will help us learn more about you as a person

Additional Materials

Headshot/Photo

•Upload a current headshot or photo

Resume

•Upload a theatrical resume

Video Submission

•Two contrasting pieces (monologues), less than three minutes total for both

•Penn State does NOT require a slate — start your piece directly

Essay

•Answer the prompt: Why do you want to be an actor?

Official Source

Callback Requirements

Monologues

One Monologue

•Faculty will communicate which of your prescreen monologues to prepare before your audition date

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply to Penn State through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or Penn State Undergraduate Admissions before uploading the prescreen

•Penn State application must be complete before prescreen can be reviewed

•Check MyPennState portal for application status

Eligibility

•Students with 34+ credits should contact Shannon Ritter (shannon@psu.edu) before applying

Transfer Pathway

Penn State theatre admissions gives transfer-specific guidance: applicants with 34 or more credits should contact the admissions and recruitment coordinator before applying. The school offers auditioned BFA Acting and BFA Musical Theatre tracks, plus BA and BFA Theatre pathways. Treat it as a high-reach option where transfer planning starts with the department, not only the university application.

Official Source

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•Invited students are contacted and told which monologue to prepare

•Q&A session with current students and faculty

•Full body warm-up

•Group work session

•Individual auditions

•Short interview

Decisions

•Submitted Aug 1-Sep 30 → Decision October 14, 2026

•Submitted Oct 1-Oct 31 → Decision November 18, 2026

•Submitted Nov 1-Dec 31 → Decision January 13, 2027

Contact

•Shannon Ritter, Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator — shannon@psu.edu

Scholarship Info

College Scholarships

•Incoming students are automatically considered for available College of Arts & Architecture scholarships

•No separate scholarship audition required

•Complete academic application by November 30 for maximum financial aid consideration

School Info

Snapshot

3.84

Avg GPA (W)

61%

Admit Rate

school-wide

86%

Grad Rate

42.3K

Enrollment

$63K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$21,518

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$45,214

Before aid

Average Net Price

$32,875

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•Pre-professional training for professional theatre careers

•Meisner, Fitzmaurice Voicework, Michael Chekhov, Laban, devising, singing, martial arts, Shakespeare, Lecoq, mask work, accents/dialects, Hip Hop theatre

Performance & Productions

•Penn State Centre Stage casting opportunities each semester

Notable Alumni

•Jonathan Frakes — Commander Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation (BFA '74)

•Keegan-Michael Key — Key & Peele, co-creator and star (MFA '96)

Study Abroad

•Includes one semester at Theatre Academy London

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 18 students

Updated 6d ago

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