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University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Training

Blends classical technique with contemporary practice across scene study, voice, movement, and audition preparation

Extensive performance opportunities in Klein Theatre and Studio 115 (student-managed black box)

All majors enroll in theatre practicum each semester for hands-on production experience

Notable Alumni

Judge Reinhold — actor known for Beverly Hills Cop, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and The Santa Clause franchises

Ilona Dulaski ('64) — 50+ year career as actor and singer; credits at Signature Theatre, Kennedy Center, and TV's Homicide: Life on the Street

Desiree Marie Velez — actor with credits including Super Mario Brothers, HBO's Oz, and Matlock

Anissa Felix ('13) — Broadway credits include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Sunset Boulevard, and Motown The Musical; TV credits include Netflix's Survival of the Thickest

Natalie Joy Johnson ('00) — Broadway credits include Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots, and Lempicka; toured as Paulette in Legally Blonde

Alicia Austin ('16) — costume designer whose credits include Only Murders in the Building, Bupkis, and Babes; Princess Grace Theater Award recipient

Devin Day ('10) — Broadway stage manager with credits including The Humans, Hillary and Clinton, 1776, and Grey House

Professional Development

Internship connections with Kennedy Center, Ford's Theatre, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, and New York Theatre Workshop

Students have recently found work or internships through UMW at Wolf Trap, Virginia Repertory Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, and Studio Theatre

Guest artists program brings working professionals to campus for workshops and mentorship

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.75

Admit rate

80%

school-wide

Grad rate

66%

Enrollment

3.6K

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$15,968

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$30,020

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$35,734

Before aid

Average net price

$20,667

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · umw.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Oct 1, 1:33 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Blends classical technique with contemporary practice across scene study, voice, movement, and audition preparation

Extensive performance opportunities in Klein Theatre and Studio 115 (student-managed black box)

All majors enroll in theatre practicum each semester for hands-on production experience

Notable Alumni

Judge Reinhold — actor known for Beverly Hills Cop, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and The Santa Clause franchises

Ilona Dulaski ('64) — 50+ year career as actor and singer; credits at Signature Theatre, Kennedy Center, and TV's Homicide: Life on the Street

Desiree Marie Velez — actor with credits including Super Mario Brothers, HBO's Oz, and Matlock

Anissa Felix ('13) — Broadway credits include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Sunset Boulevard, and Motown The Musical; TV credits include Netflix's Survival of the Thickest

Natalie Joy Johnson ('00) — Broadway credits include Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots, and Lempicka; toured as Paulette in Legally Blonde

Alicia Austin ('16) — costume designer whose credits include Only Murders in the Building, Bupkis, and Babes; Princess Grace Theater Award recipient

Devin Day ('10) — Broadway stage manager with credits including The Humans, Hillary and Clinton, 1776, and Grey House

Professional Development

Internship connections with Kennedy Center, Ford's Theatre, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, and New York Theatre Workshop

Students have recently found work or internships through UMW at Wolf Trap, Virginia Repertory Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, and Studio Theatre

Guest artists program brings working professionals to campus for workshops and mentorship

Program Highlights

Training

Blends classical technique with contemporary practice across scene study, voice, movement, and audition preparation

Extensive performance opportunities in Klein Theatre and Studio 115 (student-managed black box)

All majors enroll in theatre practicum each semester for hands-on production experience

Notable Alumni

Judge Reinhold — actor known for Beverly Hills Cop, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and The Santa Clause franchises

Ilona Dulaski ('64) — 50+ year career as actor and singer; credits at Signature Theatre, Kennedy Center, and TV's Homicide: Life on the Street

Desiree Marie Velez — actor with credits including Super Mario Brothers, HBO's Oz, and Matlock

Anissa Felix ('13) — Broadway credits include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Sunset Boulevard, and Motown The Musical; TV credits include Netflix's Survival of the Thickest

Natalie Joy Johnson ('00) — Broadway credits include Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots, and Lempicka; toured as Paulette in Legally Blonde

Alicia Austin ('16) — costume designer whose credits include Only Murders in the Building, Bupkis, and Babes; Princess Grace Theater Award recipient

Devin Day ('10) — Broadway stage manager with credits including The Humans, Hillary and Clinton, 1776, and Grey House

Professional Development

Internship connections with Kennedy Center, Ford's Theatre, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, and New York Theatre Workshop

Students have recently found work or internships through UMW at Wolf Trap, Virginia Repertory Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, and Studio Theatre

Guest artists program brings working professionals to campus for workshops and mentorship

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Deadline

Early DecisionNov 1, 2026

Early ActionNov 15, 2026

Regular DecisionFeb 1, 2027

Undergraduate Application · umw.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Acting · cas.umw.edu

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Requirements

Two Contrasting monologues, 60-90 sec each

One monologue from a published play or written by a professional writer

One contrasting monologue from a play featuring heightened language

Interpret "heightened language" broadly

May submit as a single video or two separate videos

Additional Materials

Resume

Required current resume highlighting all creative activities

Headshot

Required current headshot

Slate Video

Optional video, about 10 seconds, stating your name and titles of pieces in the required videos

Acting · cas.umw.edu

University Essays

Honors Program supplemental essayOptional

No length limit stated

Given your interest in our Honors Program, we'd love to learn more about you. Please provide an essay, activity list, or resume to provide us with additional information to consider your candidacy into this selective and unique program.

The school describes it as a brief essay. Only if you ask to be considered for the Honors Program in your application.

Application · Common App

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

In person by scheduling a campus visit

In person at a regional event (VTA, Virginia Thespian Festival, USITT, Pittsburgh Unified, MARCAS, SETC)

Online via the BFA Materials Submission Form

Complete a university application first (UMW Application is free; Common App has fee or approved waiver)

Then submit BFA supplemental materials via one of the options above

Submit video links rather than uploading files — include your name in the video description

If links are password-protected, include the password in the "What should we know" text box

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

Submit supplemental materials for faculty review — no formal audition stage

Materials may be submitted in person (campus visit or regional event) or online via BFA Materials Submission Form

Submit links to video files rather than uploading

Include your name in the video description

If password-protected, include the password in the "What should we know" text box

Scholarship Info

Department Awards

Theatre & Dance offers merit-based awards to continuing students active in the production program

Award size and criteria vary

University Scholarships

UMW automatically considers applicants for university scholarships

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.75

Admit rate

80%

school-wide

Grad rate

66%

Enrollment

3.6K

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$15,968

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$30,020

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$35,734

Before aid

Average net price

$20,667

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · umw.edu College Scorecard

Training

Blends classical technique with contemporary practice across scene study, voice, movement, and audition preparation

Extensive performance opportunities in Klein Theatre and Studio 115 (student-managed black box)

All majors enroll in theatre practicum each semester for hands-on production experience

Notable Alumni

Judge Reinhold — actor known for Beverly Hills Cop, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and The Santa Clause franchises

Ilona Dulaski ('64) — 50+ year career as actor and singer; credits at Signature Theatre, Kennedy Center, and TV's Homicide: Life on the Street

Desiree Marie Velez — actor with credits including Super Mario Brothers, HBO's Oz, and Matlock

Anissa Felix ('13) — Broadway credits include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Sunset Boulevard, and Motown The Musical; TV credits include Netflix's Survival of the Thickest

Natalie Joy Johnson ('00) — Broadway credits include Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots, and Lempicka; toured as Paulette in Legally Blonde

Alicia Austin ('16) — costume designer whose credits include Only Murders in the Building, Bupkis, and Babes; Princess Grace Theater Award recipient

Devin Day ('10) — Broadway stage manager with credits including The Humans, Hillary and Clinton, 1776, and Grey House

Professional Development

Internship connections with Kennedy Center, Ford's Theatre, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, and New York Theatre Workshop

Students have recently found work or internships through UMW at Wolf Trap, Virginia Repertory Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, and Studio Theatre

Guest artists program brings working professionals to campus for workshops and mentorship

Updated Oct 1, 1:33 PM

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