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The College of Wooster

Wooster, OH

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Theatre and Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program Recognition

Active participant in Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region II

Invited twice to the Kennedy Center for performances

Students receive regional and national awards in acting, design, directing, and playwriting

Training

Liberal arts approach developing the artist/scholar/advocate

Emphasis areas: acting, directing, dance, design, technology, playwriting, stage management, choreography, and theory

Senior Independent Study: year-long research project with 1:1 faculty mentor, often including a production component

Performance & Productions

4+ mainstage productions annually with faculty-directed theatre and dance concerts each semester

Freedlander Theatre proscenium main stage with Shoolroy Theatre studio space

Student-run groups: Effie's Players, Shakespeariments, and Woosicals (musical theatre)

Performances open to all students regardless of major

Notable Alumni

Martin McDougall — Saving Private Ryan, The Fifth Element, Batman Begins

Rachel Jackson — The Other Two, The Last O.G., Puppy Bowl

Professional Development

Ohio Light Opera: resident professional summer company with student employment and auditions

Study abroad at RADA, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Gaiety School of Acting, and University of Hawaii

Dance OH5 Conference with Five Colleges of Ohio (Oberlin, Kenyon, Denison, Ohio Wesleyan)

Professional conferences: USITT, SETC, NDEO, IADMS

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.74

Admit rate

60%

school-wide

Grad rate

74%

Enrollment

1.7K

Earnings

$60K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$66,290

Before aid

Average net price

$23,458

After aid

Coa · wooster.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 3d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Active participant in Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region II

Invited twice to the Kennedy Center for performances

Students receive regional and national awards in acting, design, directing, and playwriting

Training

Liberal arts approach developing the artist/scholar/advocate

Emphasis areas: acting, directing, dance, design, technology, playwriting, stage management, choreography, and theory

Senior Independent Study: year-long research project with 1:1 faculty mentor, often including a production component

Performance & Productions

4+ mainstage productions annually with faculty-directed theatre and dance concerts each semester

Freedlander Theatre proscenium main stage with Shoolroy Theatre studio space

Student-run groups: Effie's Players, Shakespeariments, and Woosicals (musical theatre)

Performances open to all students regardless of major

Notable Alumni

Martin McDougall — Saving Private Ryan, The Fifth Element, Batman Begins

Rachel Jackson — The Other Two, The Last O.G., Puppy Bowl

Professional Development

Ohio Light Opera: resident professional summer company with student employment and auditions

Study abroad at RADA, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Gaiety School of Acting, and University of Hawaii

Dance OH5 Conference with Five Colleges of Ohio (Oberlin, Kenyon, Denison, Ohio Wesleyan)

Professional conferences: USITT, SETC, NDEO, IADMS

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Active participant in Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region II

Invited twice to the Kennedy Center for performances

Students receive regional and national awards in acting, design, directing, and playwriting

Training

Liberal arts approach developing the artist/scholar/advocate

Emphasis areas: acting, directing, dance, design, technology, playwriting, stage management, choreography, and theory

Senior Independent Study: year-long research project with 1:1 faculty mentor, often including a production component

Performance & Productions

4+ mainstage productions annually with faculty-directed theatre and dance concerts each semester

Freedlander Theatre proscenium main stage with Shoolroy Theatre studio space

Student-run groups: Effie's Players, Shakespeariments, and Woosicals (musical theatre)

Performances open to all students regardless of major

Notable Alumni

Martin McDougall — Saving Private Ryan, The Fifth Element, Batman Begins

Rachel Jackson — The Other Two, The Last O.G., Puppy Bowl

Professional Development

Ohio Light Opera: resident professional summer company with student employment and auditions

Study abroad at RADA, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Gaiety School of Acting, and University of Hawaii

Dance OH5 Conference with Five Colleges of Ohio (Oberlin, Kenyon, Denison, Ohio Wesleyan)

Professional conferences: USITT, SETC, NDEO, IADMS

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App Coalition App School Website

Deadline

Early application deadlineNov 1, 2026

Early Decision IIJan 15, 2027

Regular DecisionFeb 15, 2027

Early Decision · wooster.edu Official page · wooster.edu

Scholarship Audition, Interview, and Portfolio Requirements

Optional audition, interview, and portfolio for scholarship consideration only; they are not required for program admission.

Monologues

Two Contrasting Monologues (Acting Scholarship)

One serious, one comic (or one classical, one modern)

From two different published plays

Characters should be under 25 years old

Must be memorized, blocked, and rehearsed

2 minutes total for all material (timed from first word)

What to Avoid

Musical auditions

Forensic competition pieces

Dance

Dance/Movement Performance (Dance Scholarship)

1-3 minutes of dance/movement in the style of your choice

No hard shoes (bare feet, socks, or soft ballet slippers only)

Be prepared to discuss interests and intended study

Additional Materials

Resume (Required)

Include relevant training and performance experience

Portfolio (Design & Technology Applicants)

Submit digital portfolio showing realized and class projects

Include production photos and process work

If file size is too large, share cloud drive link

Statement (Directing Applicants)

Submit a directing statement with written concept and analysis of August Wilson's Fences or Quiara Alegria Hudes' Water by the Spoonful

Cover structure, theme, style, mood, and character

Creative Sample (Playwriting Applicants)

Submit plays, scenes, dialogues, or other significant examples of writing ability

Portfolio (Stage Management Applicants)

Submit samples of prompt book and work demonstrating stage management skills

If file size is too large, share cloud drive link

Theatre And Dance Scholarship · wooster.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

University application via Common App, Coalition App, or Wooster Priority App

No separate audition portal required

Materials in Word or PDF format may be attached to application or emailed

Eligibility

Fall 2027 Theatre & Dance Scholarship applications have not yet opened

What's The Process

Audition Process

Admission to the BA Theatre and Dance program is through the university application

Optional scholarship audition for talent-based financial aid

Audition Expectations

On-campus audition weekend at Freedlander Theatre

Virtual auditions available by request (contact Scott Schwarzwalder)

Areas: acting, dance, directing, playwriting, design & technology, and stage management

D&T, directing, playwriting, and stage management applicants will interview with faculty

Notification by April 1

Contact

Scott Schwarzwalder, Administrative Coordinator: sschwarzwldr@wooster.edu

Scholarship Info

Theatre & Dance Scholarship

$2,000-$8,000 per year for first-year students

Recipients not required to major or minor in Theatre and Dance

Available in: acting, dance, directing, playwriting, design & technology, and stage management

Fall 2027 Theatre & Dance Scholarship applications have not yet opened

Applicants for interest-based scholarships must apply Early Decision or Early Action

45 hours per semester of participation required to maintain scholarship

Notes and Conditions

If Presidential Scholar is awarded, all other merit scholarships awarded become honorary for all four years

Interest-based and performing arts scholarships are renewable when qualifications and criteria are met

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.74

Admit rate

60%

school-wide

Grad rate

74%

Enrollment

1.7K

Earnings

$60K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$66,290

Before aid

Average net price

$23,458

After aid

Coa · wooster.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Active participant in Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region II

Invited twice to the Kennedy Center for performances

Students receive regional and national awards in acting, design, directing, and playwriting

Training

Liberal arts approach developing the artist/scholar/advocate

Emphasis areas: acting, directing, dance, design, technology, playwriting, stage management, choreography, and theory

Senior Independent Study: year-long research project with 1:1 faculty mentor, often including a production component

Performance & Productions

4+ mainstage productions annually with faculty-directed theatre and dance concerts each semester

Freedlander Theatre proscenium main stage with Shoolroy Theatre studio space

Student-run groups: Effie's Players, Shakespeariments, and Woosicals (musical theatre)

Performances open to all students regardless of major

Notable Alumni

Martin McDougall — Saving Private Ryan, The Fifth Element, Batman Begins

Rachel Jackson — The Other Two, The Last O.G., Puppy Bowl

Professional Development

Ohio Light Opera: resident professional summer company with student employment and auditions

Study abroad at RADA, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Gaiety School of Acting, and University of Hawaii

Dance OH5 Conference with Five Colleges of Ohio (Oberlin, Kenyon, Denison, Ohio Wesleyan)

Professional conferences: USITT, SETC, NDEO, IADMS

Updated 3d ago