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University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, MI

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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

Avg GPA (W)

3.70

Admit rate

75%

school-wide

Grad rate

67%

Enrollment

2.4K

Earnings

$71K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$34,276

Before aid

Average net price

$15,232

After aid

Tuition Fees · udmercy.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 25, 10:59 PM

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

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

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

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

Avg GPA (W)

3.70

Admit rate

75%

school-wide

Grad rate

67%

Enrollment

2.4K

Earnings

$71K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$34,276

Before aid

Average net price

$15,232

After aid

Tuition Fees · udmercy.edu 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 Aug 25, 10:59 PM