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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 SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Browse programs

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 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 2030: 11 students

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

Rates Effective 2026 Fall Semester · tuition.psu.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 19, 1:15 AM

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 2030: 11 students

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 2030: 11 students

Class of 2029: 18 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Fees

Domestic Fee

$65

International Fee

$75

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

Deadline

Priority academic application — complete before prescreen reviewNov 30, 2026

Final academic application and prescreenDec 31, 2026

Acting Admission Information · arts.psu.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Apply

Acceptd

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

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 & 13, 2027

Acting Admission Information · arts.psu.edu

Prescreen Requirements

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?

Application portal · Acceptd

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Monologues

One Monologue

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

Application portal · Acceptd

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to Penn State through the Common App or MyPennState

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

Check MyPennState for application status

Eligibility

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

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

Rates Effective 2026 Fall Semester · tuition.psu.edu 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 2030: 11 students

Class of 2029: 18 students

Updated Aug 19, 1:15 AM