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Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Browse programs

Quick Links

BFA Acting

General

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Acting

General

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Acting

Actor-Singer Track

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theater

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Theater Design and Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Under 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Stage Management

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BS Drama

Theater Management

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Under 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program Recognition

•Conservatory-style training embedded within a major research university

•Named one of Playbill's 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway

•Partnership with Syracuse Stage, Central New York's premier professional theater (founded 1974)

Training

•First year: ~18 hours/week of foundational studio work in acting, voice, speech, and movement

•Upper-level electives include acting for camera, stage combat, clown, dialects, and actor-generated work

•Students audition for department productions, Syracuse Stage co-productions, and student films

Notable Alumni

•Vera Farmiga '95 — Oscar-nominated actress (The Departed, Up in the Air, Bates Motel)

•Frank Langella '59 — 4-time Tony Award winner (Frost/Nixon, The Father)

•Aaron Sorkin '83 — Oscar-winning screenwriter (The Social Network, The West Wing)

Professional Development

•Lewis Hecker Drama Showcase for graduating seniors before industry professionals

•Tepper Semester in NYC and VPA LA Semester/Sorkin in LA Practicum

Study Abroad

•London semester at Shakespeare's Globe (fall of third year)

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2030: 33 students

•Class of 2029: 24 students

•Class of 2028: 22 students

•Class of 2027: 29 students

School Info

Snapshot

3.80

Avg GPA (W)

46%

Admit Rate

school-wide

84%

Grad Rate

15.5K

Enrollment

$79K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$71,049

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$95,676

Before aid

Average Net Price

$38,793

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated Jul 7, 2:18 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Conservatory-style training embedded within a major research university

•Named one of Playbill's 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway

•Partnership with Syracuse Stage, Central New York's premier professional theater (founded 1974)

Training

•First year: ~18 hours/week of foundational studio work in acting, voice, speech, and movement

•Upper-level electives include acting for camera, stage combat, clown, dialects, and actor-generated work

•Students audition for department productions, Syracuse Stage co-productions, and student films

Notable Alumni

•Vera Farmiga '95 — Oscar-nominated actress (The Departed, Up in the Air, Bates Motel)

•Frank Langella '59 — 4-time Tony Award winner (Frost/Nixon, The Father)

•Aaron Sorkin '83 — Oscar-winning screenwriter (The Social Network, The West Wing)

Professional Development

•Lewis Hecker Drama Showcase for graduating seniors before industry professionals

•Tepper Semester in NYC and VPA LA Semester/Sorkin in LA Practicum

Study Abroad

•London semester at Shakespeare's Globe (fall of third year)

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2030: 33 students

•Class of 2029: 24 students

•Class of 2028: 22 students

•Class of 2027: 29 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Conservatory-style training embedded within a major research university

•Named one of Playbill's 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway

•Partnership with Syracuse Stage, Central New York's premier professional theater (founded 1974)

Training

•First year: ~18 hours/week of foundational studio work in acting, voice, speech, and movement

•Upper-level electives include acting for camera, stage combat, clown, dialects, and actor-generated work

•Students audition for department productions, Syracuse Stage co-productions, and student films

Notable Alumni

•Vera Farmiga '95 — Oscar-nominated actress (The Departed, Up in the Air, Bates Motel)

•Frank Langella '59 — 4-time Tony Award winner (Frost/Nixon, The Father)

•Aaron Sorkin '83 — Oscar-winning screenwriter (The Social Network, The West Wing)

Professional Development

•Lewis Hecker Drama Showcase for graduating seniors before industry professionals

•Tepper Semester in NYC and VPA LA Semester/Sorkin in LA Practicum

Study Abroad

•London semester at Shakespeare's Globe (fall of third year)

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2030: 33 students

•Class of 2029: 24 students

•Class of 2028: 22 students

•Class of 2027: 29 students

Expert Tips

Submit your academic application at least 5 days before the prescreen due date. It takes an average of 4 days to receive a link to the Syracuse portal where you can upload your prescreens.

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$85

Deadline

Early DecisionNov 15, 2026

Early Decision IIRegular DecisionJan 5, 2027

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

Prescreen Audition Fee

$50

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

Prescreen

•Two contrasting monologues, under 90 seconds each

•From modern/contemporary plays (post-2000 preferred)

•Characters close to your own age

•Not from musicals

Tips

•Recommend at least one shows physical expressiveness and is filmed full body

Additional Materials

Resume

•Current resume listing productions with dates and locations

Statement

•Brief statement describing why you are choosing a career in theater

Headshot

•Photograph of yourself alone; professional headshot not required

Official Source

Callback Requirements

Monologues

Callback

•Two contrasting monologues, under 90 seconds each

•From modern/contemporary plays (post-2000 preferred)

•Characters close to your age

•Not from musicals

•You may reuse one prescreen monologue, but try new choices if you do

Virtual Callback Only

•Upload a movement recording up to 90 seconds based on a non-human creature of your choice

•Show the animal moving through its environment, feeding and drinking water, reacting in fear or anger, and returning to its sleeping place

•Film full body with your entire body in frame at all times

Additional Materials

Resume

•In-person: bring a current resume to the audition

•Virtual: upload a current resume to the applicant portal

Headshot

•In-person: bring a photo of yourself alone to the audition; it does not need to be a professional headshot

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Early Decision is not available for Acting or Musical Theater

•December 1 deadline: university application and prescreen audition materials due

•Submit through the Syracuse University applicant portal after completing the university application

•YouTube videos viewed through the portal will not register views on your YouTube account

Admission Pathway

•After passing prescreen, choose an in-person Drama Audition Day or a virtual audition

•No advantage to in-person versus virtual; both are considered equally

•Actor-Singer Track consideration requires listing Musical Theater and Acting as first and second choices and submitting all materials for both programs

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•In-person: perform monologues

•Virtual: upload materials, including the animal movement piece, and attend a Zoom interview/information session with faculty and current students

•Choose material you are comfortable with; do not attempt Shakespeare unless entirely comfortable

•Choose characters close to your age and experience

•Do not audition if ill; Syracuse will reschedule

Contact

•admissu@syr.edu | 315.443.2769

Scholarship Info

Baker Merit Scholarships

•$3,000/year renewable awards based on audition performance

•Awarded by faculty based on audition and overall application

School Info

Snapshot

3.80

Avg GPA (W)

46%

Admit Rate

school-wide

84%

Grad Rate

15.5K

Enrollment

$79K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$71,049

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$95,676

Before aid

Average Net Price

$38,793

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Conservatory-style training embedded within a major research university

•Named one of Playbill's 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway

•Partnership with Syracuse Stage, Central New York's premier professional theater (founded 1974)

Training

•First year: ~18 hours/week of foundational studio work in acting, voice, speech, and movement

•Upper-level electives include acting for camera, stage combat, clown, dialects, and actor-generated work

•Students audition for department productions, Syracuse Stage co-productions, and student films

Notable Alumni

•Vera Farmiga '95 — Oscar-nominated actress (The Departed, Up in the Air, Bates Motel)

•Frank Langella '59 — 4-time Tony Award winner (Frost/Nixon, The Father)

•Aaron Sorkin '83 — Oscar-winning screenwriter (The Social Network, The West Wing)

Professional Development

•Lewis Hecker Drama Showcase for graduating seniors before industry professionals

•Tepper Semester in NYC and VPA LA Semester/Sorkin in LA Practicum

Study Abroad

•London semester at Shakespeare's Globe (fall of third year)

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2030: 33 students

•Class of 2029: 24 students

•Class of 2028: 22 students

•Class of 2027: 29 students

Updated Jul 7, 2:18 AM

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