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University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

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No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

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BA Theater & Performance Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Training

Students choose a focus in acting, technical theater and design, or performance studies, built on foundational courses Theater 10 (Introduction to Acting), Theater 26 (Introduction to Performance Studies), and Theater 60 (Introduction to Technical Theater).

Upper-division electives extend into stage management, playwriting, directing, choreography, sound design, scenic design, costume design, and lighting design.

Performance & Productions

A formal relationship with Cal Performances brings visiting guest artists and Artists-in-Residence workshops into student productions and coursework.

Notable Alumni

Academy Award-winning actor Gregory Peck and actress Gloria Stuart trained in the department; playwright Sidney Howard is among its early alumni.

Facilities

Department productions and production labs run through the 547-seat Zellerbach Playhouse and the 140-seat Durham Studio Theatre in Dwinelle Hall.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.90

Admit rate

11%

school-wide

Grad rate

93%

Enrollment

33.1K

Earnings

$92K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$18,216

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$57,486

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$54,470

Before aid

Average net price

$13,481

After aid

Student Budgets Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.berkeley.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 20, 4:59 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Upper-division electives extend into stage management, playwriting, directing, choreography, sound design, scenic design, costume design, and lighting design.

Performance & Productions

A formal relationship with Cal Performances brings visiting guest artists and Artists-in-Residence workshops into student productions and coursework.

Notable Alumni

Academy Award-winning actor Gregory Peck and actress Gloria Stuart trained in the department; playwright Sidney Howard is among its early alumni.

Facilities

Department productions and production labs run through the 547-seat Zellerbach Playhouse and the 140-seat Durham Studio Theatre in Dwinelle Hall.

Program Highlights

Training

Upper-division electives extend into stage management, playwriting, directing, choreography, sound design, scenic design, costume design, and lighting design.

Performance & Productions

A formal relationship with Cal Performances brings visiting guest artists and Artists-in-Residence workshops into student productions and coursework.

Notable Alumni

Academy Award-winning actor Gregory Peck and actress Gloria Stuart trained in the department; playwright Sidney Howard is among its early alumni.

Facilities

Department productions and production labs run through the 547-seat Zellerbach Playhouse and the 140-seat Durham Studio Theatre in Dwinelle Hall.

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website apply.universityofcalifornia.edu

Fees

Domestic Fee

$80

International Fee

$95

Deadline

Application DeadlineNov 30, 2026

Dates Deadlines · admissions.berkeley.edu

Good to Know

Application Process

Apply to UC Berkeley through the University of California application.

Complete the department’s published prerequisite and declaration process after enrollment.

Transfer Pathway

Transfer applicants who select Theater and Performance Studies on their UC Berkeley application are automatically declared into the major with no separate departmental application; the only course that regularly transfers directly into major requirements is a beginning acting course, though up to 8 units of comparable elective credit can transfer with advisor approval, and the major is completable in four semesters after transfer.

FAQ · tdps.berkeley.edu

What's The Process

Admissions

No entrance audition, interview, portfolio, recording, or artistic supplement is required for admission to this program.

Auditions for individual performance courses or ensembles occur after enrollment and are separate from major admission.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.90

Admit rate

11%

school-wide

Grad rate

93%

Enrollment

33.1K

Earnings

$92K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$18,216

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$57,486

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$54,470

Before aid

Average net price

$13,481

After aid

Student Budgets Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.berkeley.edu College Scorecard

Training

Upper-division electives extend into stage management, playwriting, directing, choreography, sound design, scenic design, costume design, and lighting design.

Performance & Productions

A formal relationship with Cal Performances brings visiting guest artists and Artists-in-Residence workshops into student productions and coursework.

Notable Alumni

Academy Award-winning actor Gregory Peck and actress Gloria Stuart trained in the department; playwright Sidney Howard is among its early alumni.

Facilities

Department productions and production labs run through the 547-seat Zellerbach Playhouse and the 140-seat Durham Studio Theatre in Dwinelle Hall.

Updated Aug 20, 4:59 PM

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