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University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

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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

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

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BA Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Ivy League Theatre Arts major in Penn's School of Arts & Sciences

Interdisciplinary program linking theatre history, literature, theory, performance, acting, directing, design, devising, and playwriting

Fall 2026 curriculum uses 14 courses: 2 core courses, 7 attribute-distributed courses, 1 production course, and 4 electives

Faculty-directed productions are taught as courses for credit

Training

Introductory and advanced studio options include acting, directing, playwriting, design, dance, movement, voice, and performance courses

THAR 3500 Rehearsal and Performance and THAR 3501 Production for Performance anchor production-based credit

Extracurricular workshops, talks with visiting artists, staged readings, and theatre outings extend training beyond coursework

Professional Development

Edinburgh Project selects majors on alternating years to develop a performance piece for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Optional honors capstone can be a production, thesis, internship, or independently designed performance or research project

Graduates pursue MFA and doctoral study plus careers in theatre, film, producing, business, medicine, law, and other fields

Degree Flexibility

Students choose courses across Theatre Arts and other departments with advisor consultation

Curriculum is built for flexibility across performance disciplines

The major is declared after enrollment through Penn's field-of-study process and advisor meeting

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.91

Admit rate

school-wide

Grad rate

97%

Enrollment

10.7K

Earnings

$111K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$73,978

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$99,082

Before aid

Average net price

$28,699

After aid

Undergraduate Cost Attendance · srfs.upenn.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 27, 6:34 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Ivy League Theatre Arts major in Penn's School of Arts & Sciences

Interdisciplinary program linking theatre history, literature, theory, performance, acting, directing, design, devising, and playwriting

Fall 2026 curriculum uses 14 courses: 2 core courses, 7 attribute-distributed courses, 1 production course, and 4 electives

Faculty-directed productions are taught as courses for credit

Training

Introductory and advanced studio options include acting, directing, playwriting, design, dance, movement, voice, and performance courses

THAR 3500 Rehearsal and Performance and THAR 3501 Production for Performance anchor production-based credit

Extracurricular workshops, talks with visiting artists, staged readings, and theatre outings extend training beyond coursework

Professional Development

Edinburgh Project selects majors on alternating years to develop a performance piece for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Optional honors capstone can be a production, thesis, internship, or independently designed performance or research project

Graduates pursue MFA and doctoral study plus careers in theatre, film, producing, business, medicine, law, and other fields

Degree Flexibility

Students choose courses across Theatre Arts and other departments with advisor consultation

Curriculum is built for flexibility across performance disciplines

The major is declared after enrollment through Penn's field-of-study process and advisor meeting

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Ivy League Theatre Arts major in Penn's School of Arts & Sciences

Interdisciplinary program linking theatre history, literature, theory, performance, acting, directing, design, devising, and playwriting

Fall 2026 curriculum uses 14 courses: 2 core courses, 7 attribute-distributed courses, 1 production course, and 4 electives

Faculty-directed productions are taught as courses for credit

Training

Introductory and advanced studio options include acting, directing, playwriting, design, dance, movement, voice, and performance courses

THAR 3500 Rehearsal and Performance and THAR 3501 Production for Performance anchor production-based credit

Extracurricular workshops, talks with visiting artists, staged readings, and theatre outings extend training beyond coursework

Professional Development

Edinburgh Project selects majors on alternating years to develop a performance piece for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Optional honors capstone can be a production, thesis, internship, or independently designed performance or research project

Graduates pursue MFA and doctoral study plus careers in theatre, film, producing, business, medicine, law, and other fields

Degree Flexibility

Students choose courses across Theatre Arts and other departments with advisor consultation

Curriculum is built for flexibility across performance disciplines

The major is declared after enrollment through Penn's field-of-study process and advisor meeting

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App Coalition App QuestBridge

Fee

$75

Deadline

Early DecisionNov 1, 2026

Regular DecisionJan 5, 2027

Transfer applicationMar 15, 2027

First Year Applicants · admissions.upenn.edu Requirements Deadlines · admissions.upenn.edu

Submission Requirements

Transcript

Official high school transcript

Secondary school report submitted by a counselor or school official

Letters of Recommendation

Counselor recommendation

One teacher recommendation

Optional additional recommendation from another teacher or community supporter

Essay

Penn-specific writing supplement prompts are included in the university application

Scores / GPA

SAT or ACT scores are required for the 2026-27 application cycle unless a waiver is approved

Application Requirements · admissions.upenn.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to Penn through Common App, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge

No separate Theatre Arts department application or audition portal is listed for the major

Enrollment

Students declaring the major in Fall 2026 and beyond complete the new Theatre Arts major requirements

Students who declared in Spring 2026 or earlier should consult their major advisor about prior requirements

Admission Pathway

Submit the Declare/Update Field of Study Request Form in Path@Penn after enrolling

Contact Brooke O'Harra, co-director of Theatre Arts, to schedule the required advising appointment

Transfer Pathway

The College of Arts and Sciences accepts second- and third-year transfer entrants with up to two years of credit. For the Theatre Arts BA, Penn evaluates course equivalency department by department after matriculation, and students must complete at least half of their degree coursework at Penn.

Eligibility Credit Guidelines · admissions.upenn.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

No audition, prescreen, interview, or portfolio is listed for admission to the Theatre Arts major

Apply to Penn first through the university first-year application process

Students declare the Theatre Arts major after enrolling and completing Penn's field-of-study and advising steps

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.91

Admit rate

school-wide

Grad rate

97%

Enrollment

10.7K

Earnings

$111K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$73,978

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$99,082

Before aid

Average net price

$28,699

After aid

Undergraduate Cost Attendance · srfs.upenn.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Ivy League Theatre Arts major in Penn's School of Arts & Sciences

Interdisciplinary program linking theatre history, literature, theory, performance, acting, directing, design, devising, and playwriting

Fall 2026 curriculum uses 14 courses: 2 core courses, 7 attribute-distributed courses, 1 production course, and 4 electives

Faculty-directed productions are taught as courses for credit

Training

Introductory and advanced studio options include acting, directing, playwriting, design, dance, movement, voice, and performance courses

THAR 3500 Rehearsal and Performance and THAR 3501 Production for Performance anchor production-based credit

Extracurricular workshops, talks with visiting artists, staged readings, and theatre outings extend training beyond coursework

Professional Development

Edinburgh Project selects majors on alternating years to develop a performance piece for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Optional honors capstone can be a production, thesis, internship, or independently designed performance or research project

Graduates pursue MFA and doctoral study plus careers in theatre, film, producing, business, medicine, law, and other fields

Degree Flexibility

Students choose courses across Theatre Arts and other departments with advisor consultation

Curriculum is built for flexibility across performance disciplines

The major is declared after enrollment through Penn's field-of-study process and advisor meeting

Updated Aug 27, 6:34 PM