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Rider University

Lawrenceville, NJ

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Acting for Film, Television and Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Training

Trains the "Actor of the Future" for film, television, and theatre

Four-year conservatory training with comprehensive voice, speech, and movement training

Industry-based courses in movement and fight choreography, devising, and acting for the camera

Performance & Productions

Interdisciplinary collaboration with film and television program students

Students begin developing their own projects in first semester

Notable Alumni

Matt Cook ’06 — CBS’s Man with a Plan, Champions (with Woody Harrelson), Curb Your Enthusiasm, True Blood

Professional Development

Optional semester in Los Angeles to study and intern with industry professionals

Culminates in showcases for agents and casting directors in New York and Los Angeles

School Info

Snapshot

3.49

Avg GPA (W)

79%

Admit Rate

school-wide

61%

Grad Rate

3.1K

Enrollment

$62K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$45,450

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$64,920

Before aid

Average Net Price

$24,792

After aid

Undergraduate · rider.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 29, 11:50 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Trains the "Actor of the Future" for film, television, and theatre

Four-year conservatory training with comprehensive voice, speech, and movement training

Industry-based courses in movement and fight choreography, devising, and acting for the camera

Performance & Productions

Interdisciplinary collaboration with film and television program students

Students begin developing their own projects in first semester

Notable Alumni

Matt Cook ’06 — CBS’s Man with a Plan, Champions (with Woody Harrelson), Curb Your Enthusiasm, True Blood

Professional Development

Optional semester in Los Angeles to study and intern with industry professionals

Culminates in showcases for agents and casting directors in New York and Los Angeles

Program Highlights

Training

Trains the "Actor of the Future" for film, television, and theatre

Four-year conservatory training with comprehensive voice, speech, and movement training

Industry-based courses in movement and fight choreography, devising, and acting for the camera

Performance & Productions

Interdisciplinary collaboration with film and television program students

Students begin developing their own projects in first semester

Notable Alumni

Matt Cook ’06 — CBS’s Man with a Plan, Champions (with Woody Harrelson), Curb Your Enthusiasm, True Blood

Professional Development

Optional semester in Los Angeles to study and intern with industry professionals

Culminates in showcases for agents and casting directors in New York and Los Angeles

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App· Only option

Fee

$60

Deadline

Application Deadline (required before audition registration)Nov 15, 2026

How To Apply · rider.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the audition.

Apply

School Website

Fee

Audition Registration Fee

$50

Deadline

Nov 15, 2026

Auditions

On-Campus

Dec 12, 2026Jan 16, 2027

Regional Unified Auditions (New York)Jan 23–24, 2027

Live VirtualJan 30, 2027

Regional Unified Auditions (Chicago)Feb 1–4, 2027

Regional Unified Auditions (Anaheim)Feb 6–7, 2027

Scmpa · rider.edu Auditions · rider.edu

Program Submission

Monologues

Two Contrasting, Memorized Contemporary Monologues

One could be comedic and the other dramatic

Each monologue should be 1-2 minutes in length

No dialects — share your authentic self through your own voice and way of speaking

Material Selection

Choose monologues that are age-appropriate (generally within 5-10 years of your actual age) and feel authentic to your culture, background, and lived experience

Active monologues are often better for auditions — an active monologue takes place in real time, focuses on what you want, and puts you in direct communication with an imaginary scene partner

Avoid monologues that rely on extreme emotions as it can be hard to believably justify those responses in a short piece

Additional Materials

Video Submission

Upload video recordings of your two prepared monologues to Be A Bronc Applicant Dashboard

Headshot

For live virtual auditions, upload your headshot to the Be A Bronc Applicant Dashboard

For all other auditions, bring a physical copy of your headshot

Resume

For live virtual auditions, upload your artistic resume to the Be A Bronc Applicant Dashboard

For all other auditions, bring a physical copy of your resume

Scmpa · rider.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Additional Materials

For in-person auditions, bring a physical copy of your headshot and resume

You may perform the same monologues from your video submission

Scmpa · rider.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

$50 non-refundable audition/interview fee required at registration

BFA applicants will not receive admission or scholarship decisions by December 20

Early Action benefits available for students who enroll by May 1

Enrollment

BFA enrollment deposits accepted through May 1

After May 1, join waitlist for space-available admission

What's The Process

Audition Process

Apply to Rider via Common Application or Rider Application

Receive access to Be A Bronc Applicant Dashboard via email (2-3 business days)

Audition Expectations

You may perform the same monologues from your video submission at the live audition

Decisions

You will not receive academic acceptance prior to your audition

Students notified late February or early March regarding academic and artistic decision

Scholarship Info

Merit-based scholarships considered as part of admissions process

Complete application and audition by January 15 for maximum scholarship consideration

School Info

Snapshot

3.49

Avg GPA (W)

79%

Admit Rate

school-wide

61%

Grad Rate

3.1K

Enrollment

$62K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$45,450

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$64,920

Before aid

Average Net Price

$24,792

After aid

Undergraduate · rider.edu College Scorecard

Training

Trains the "Actor of the Future" for film, television, and theatre

Four-year conservatory training with comprehensive voice, speech, and movement training

Industry-based courses in movement and fight choreography, devising, and acting for the camera

Performance & Productions

Interdisciplinary collaboration with film and television program students

Students begin developing their own projects in first semester

Notable Alumni

Matt Cook ’06 — CBS’s Man with a Plan, Champions (with Woody Harrelson), Curb Your Enthusiasm, True Blood

Professional Development

Optional semester in Los Angeles to study and intern with industry professionals

Culminates in showcases for agents and casting directors in New York and Los Angeles

Updated Aug 29, 11:50 PM