Private school2.4K

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, MI

Faith-BasedTest-OptionalGreek LifeLGBTQ+

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Program

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

BA Theatre

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

•Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival national award winners (2022, 2025)

•Selected for KCACTF Region 3 Full Production performance (2025)

•Multiple Encore Michigan Wilde Awards including Best Musical and Best Play

Training

•Conservatory-style training within a BA degree

•Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC), an award-winning collective of students, faculty, and professional guest artists

•State-of-the-art Black Box Theatre and Studio 164 performance spaces

•Workshops in stage combat, improvisation, and on-camera auditions

•Small class sizes with personal mentorship from working professionals

Notable Alumni

•Keegan-Michael Key '93 — Emmy-winning actor known for Key and Peele, Schmigadoon!, and Wonka

•Jaime Moyer '01 — actor known for Modern Family, Bob's Burgers, and AP Bio

•David DeAngelis '94 — Executive Producer at Fox (Kitchen Nightmares) and HGTV

Professional Development

•Immersion trips to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and other theatre centers

•Social justice focus with over $200,000 raised for community causes since 1998

•Located in Detroit, a city with a vibrant arts and culture scene

School Info

Snapshot

3.70

Avg GPA (W)

75%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

2.4K

Enrollment

$71K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$34,276

Before aid

Average Net Price

$15,232

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 3d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival national award winners (2022, 2025)

•Selected for KCACTF Region 3 Full Production performance (2025)

•Multiple Encore Michigan Wilde Awards including Best Musical and Best Play

Training

•Conservatory-style training within a BA degree

•Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC), an award-winning collective of students, faculty, and professional guest artists

•State-of-the-art Black Box Theatre and Studio 164 performance spaces

•Workshops in stage combat, improvisation, and on-camera auditions

•Small class sizes with personal mentorship from working professionals

Notable Alumni

•Keegan-Michael Key '93 — Emmy-winning actor known for Key and Peele, Schmigadoon!, and Wonka

•Jaime Moyer '01 — actor known for Modern Family, Bob's Burgers, and AP Bio

•David DeAngelis '94 — Executive Producer at Fox (Kitchen Nightmares) and HGTV

Professional Development

•Immersion trips to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and other theatre centers

•Social justice focus with over $200,000 raised for community causes since 1998

•Located in Detroit, a city with a vibrant arts and culture scene

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival national award winners (2022, 2025)

•Selected for KCACTF Region 3 Full Production performance (2025)

•Multiple Encore Michigan Wilde Awards including Best Musical and Best Play

Training

•Conservatory-style training within a BA degree

•Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC), an award-winning collective of students, faculty, and professional guest artists

•State-of-the-art Black Box Theatre and Studio 164 performance spaces

•Workshops in stage combat, improvisation, and on-camera auditions

•Small class sizes with personal mentorship from working professionals

Notable Alumni

•Keegan-Michael Key '93 — Emmy-winning actor known for Key and Peele, Schmigadoon!, and Wonka

•Jaime Moyer '01 — actor known for Modern Family, Bob's Burgers, and AP Bio

•David DeAngelis '94 — Executive Producer at Fox (Kitchen Nightmares) and HGTV

Professional Development

•Immersion trips to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and other theatre centers

•Social justice focus with over $200,000 raised for community causes since 1998

•Located in Detroit, a city with a vibrant arts and culture scene

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Early ActionNov 1, 2026

Scholarship PriorityDec 1, 2026

Regular DecisionMar 1, 2027

Freshman · udmercy.edu

Scholarship Audition and Interview 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.

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

Monologues

Performance Option

•Prepare and present two contrasting monologues from published plays

•Alternatively, prepare 32 bars of a musical theatre song and one monologue

Time Limit

•Audition should be no more than 3 minutes total, including the introduction/slate and pieces

Material Selection

•Film and television monologues are not accepted

•Contact the Performing Arts Department for help finding monologues

Additional Materials

Headshot

•Required

Resume

•Required

•Include theatre training and performance experience

Essay / Statement

•Required

•250+ words, no specific prompt

Letters of Recommendation

•Required

•Two letters of recommendation

Transcript

•Required

•High school transcript

Scores / GPA

•Optional ACT/SAT scores (test-optional policy)

Performing Arts Scholarship · udmercy.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply to Detroit Mercy as a Theatre major through the university application.

•The university currently lists applications for Winter, Summer, and Fall 2027 entry.

•The university application is free.

•ACT/SAT scores are optional for most first-year applicants.

Important Notes

•The Performing Arts Talent Scholarships page describes scholarship auditions and interviews, but its listed competition dates are for Fall 2026.

•Contact the Department of Performing Arts for the Fall 2027 scholarship-audition schedule.

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Audition is for Performing Arts Talent Scholarship consideration, not required for admission to the major

•In-person: schedule a campus visit with audition and interview by emailing theatre@udmercy.edu

•Video: email your video to theatre@udmercy.edu (video files or YouTube links accepted)

•Festival: visit the Detroit Mercy table at the Michigan Educational Thespian Festival

Technical Theatre / Stage Management

•5-minute presentation discussing areas of technical interest with visual examples

•Must include a letter of recommendation from a theatre teacher or qualified professional

•After presenting, discuss your theatre passion and goals

After Performing

•All auditioners discuss their theatre passion, interest in majoring in theatre, and goals

Scholarship Info

Performing Arts Talent Scholarships

•The official scholarship page describes awards of up to $20,000 off tuition per year, based on a scholarship audition or interview.

•The page currently retains Fall 2026 competition dates; confirm the award amount and Fall 2027 timeline with the Department of Performing Arts.

School Info

Snapshot

3.70

Avg GPA (W)

75%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

2.4K

Enrollment

$71K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$34,276

Before aid

Average Net Price

$15,232

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival national award winners (2022, 2025)

•Selected for KCACTF Region 3 Full Production performance (2025)

•Multiple Encore Michigan Wilde Awards including Best Musical and Best Play

Training

•Conservatory-style training within a BA degree

•Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC), an award-winning collective of students, faculty, and professional guest artists

•State-of-the-art Black Box Theatre and Studio 164 performance spaces

•Workshops in stage combat, improvisation, and on-camera auditions

•Small class sizes with personal mentorship from working professionals

Notable Alumni

•Keegan-Michael Key '93 — Emmy-winning actor known for Key and Peele, Schmigadoon!, and Wonka

•Jaime Moyer '01 — actor known for Modern Family, Bob's Burgers, and AP Bio

•David DeAngelis '94 — Executive Producer at Fox (Kitchen Nightmares) and HGTV

Professional Development

•Immersion trips to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and other theatre centers

•Social justice focus with over $200,000 raised for community causes since 1998

•Located in Detroit, a city with a vibrant arts and culture scene

Updated 3d ago