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University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

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BA Theater Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Training

Comprehensive program spanning acting, dance, directing, playwriting, design/technology, and dramaturgy

Faculty are working professionals with ties to Monterey and San Francisco Bay Area theater companies

Open to all UCSC students - no audition or portfolio review required to pursue the degree

Performance & Productions

Major productions are presented each quarter in venues including a thrust stage, flexible black box, proscenium, and studio theater

Student-run Barnstorm Theater Company and Rainbow Theater provide additional performance opportunities

Annual student-choreographed Random: With a Purpose dance showcase

Professional Development

Strong ties to professional theater companies for internships and overhire work

Study abroad opportunities with potential to fulfill major requirements

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.92

Admit rate

66%

school-wide

Grad rate

75%

Enrollment

17.9K

Earnings

$68K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$17,490

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$56,760

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$47,628

Before aid

Average net price

$17,890

After aid

Budget Cost To Attend · financialaid.ucsc.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 25, 7:32 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Comprehensive program spanning acting, dance, directing, playwriting, design/technology, and dramaturgy

Faculty are working professionals with ties to Monterey and San Francisco Bay Area theater companies

Open to all UCSC students - no audition or portfolio review required to pursue the degree

Performance & Productions

Major productions are presented each quarter in venues including a thrust stage, flexible black box, proscenium, and studio theater

Student-run Barnstorm Theater Company and Rainbow Theater provide additional performance opportunities

Annual student-choreographed Random: With a Purpose dance showcase

Professional Development

Strong ties to professional theater companies for internships and overhire work

Study abroad opportunities with potential to fulfill major requirements

Program Highlights

Training

Comprehensive program spanning acting, dance, directing, playwriting, design/technology, and dramaturgy

Faculty are working professionals with ties to Monterey and San Francisco Bay Area theater companies

Open to all UCSC students - no audition or portfolio review required to pursue the degree

Performance & Productions

Major productions are presented each quarter in venues including a thrust stage, flexible black box, proscenium, and studio theater

Student-run Barnstorm Theater Company and Rainbow Theater provide additional performance opportunities

Annual student-choreographed Random: With a Purpose dance showcase

Professional Development

Strong ties to professional theater companies for internships and overhire work

Study abroad opportunities with potential to fulfill major requirements

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

UC Application

Fees

Domestic Fee

$80

International Fee

$95

Opens

UC Application available onlineAug 1, 2026

UCSC TAG Application filing period opens (transfer)Sep 1, 2026

UC Application filing period opensOct 1, 2026

Deadline

UCSC TAG Application filing deadline (transfer)Sep 30, 2026

UC Application filing deadlineNov 30, 2026

Transfer Academic Update deadline (transfer)Jan 31, 2027

Dates Deadlines · admissions.ucsc.edu

Program AppApplication

Dates

Opens later

Theater Arts And Dance Undergraduate Degrees · play.ucsc.edu

University Essays

UC Personal Insight Questions

350 words each · Answer 4 of 8 · Written once for all your UC Application schools

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

No school-specific essays for Fall 2027 entry.

Personal Insight Questions · admission.universityofcalifornia.edu First Year Student · admissions.ucsc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Enrollment

Apply via UC Application — no separate arts application required

Transfer students may petition to have equivalent courses count toward major requirements

Important Notes

Contact: theater-ugradadv@ucsc.edu

Schedule appointments through Navigate Slug Success

Transfer Pathway

Transfer students may use articulated lower-division Theater Arts courses and can declare the major upon entering. Admission does not require an audition, portfolio, or specific major preparation courses.

Theater Arts Ba · catalog.ucsc.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

No audition or portfolio review required — admission is through the UC Application

Any student admitted to UCSC is eligible to enroll in classes and participate in productions

Some classes and all productions enroll via competitive audition or interview after enrollment

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.92

Admit rate

66%

school-wide

Grad rate

75%

Enrollment

17.9K

Earnings

$68K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$17,490

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$56,760

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$47,628

Before aid

Average net price

$17,890

After aid

Budget Cost To Attend · financialaid.ucsc.edu College Scorecard

Training

Comprehensive program spanning acting, dance, directing, playwriting, design/technology, and dramaturgy

Faculty are working professionals with ties to Monterey and San Francisco Bay Area theater companies

Open to all UCSC students - no audition or portfolio review required to pursue the degree

Performance & Productions

Major productions are presented each quarter in venues including a thrust stage, flexible black box, proscenium, and studio theater

Student-run Barnstorm Theater Company and Rainbow Theater provide additional performance opportunities

Annual student-choreographed Random: With a Purpose dance showcase

Professional Development

Strong ties to professional theater companies for internships and overhire work

Study abroad opportunities with potential to fulfill major requirements

Updated Aug 25, 7:32 PM

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