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University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

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BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Training

Learn-by-doing approach with hands-on production experience from day one

Holistic exploration across all theatrical disciplines before specializing

Build a personalized course of study according to your interests and professional goals

Facilities

Crewe Center for the Arts — brand-new state-of-the-art facility opened Fall 2025

Located in Portland, Maine — the cultural heart of the state

Degree Flexibility

Performance (Acting & Dance)

Design/Technology (Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Sound, Stage Management, Technical Production)

History/Literature (Directing, Dramaturgy, History, Playwriting)

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.34

Admit rate

79%

school-wide

Grad rate

40%

Enrollment

4.2K

Earnings

$50K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$13,260

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$32,490

Before aid

Average net price

$13,596

After aid

Undergraduate Tuition Fees · usm.maine.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 9, 3:19 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Learn-by-doing approach with hands-on production experience from day one

Holistic exploration across all theatrical disciplines before specializing

Build a personalized course of study according to your interests and professional goals

Facilities

Crewe Center for the Arts — brand-new state-of-the-art facility opened Fall 2025

Located in Portland, Maine — the cultural heart of the state

Degree Flexibility

Performance (Acting & Dance)

Design/Technology (Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Sound, Stage Management, Technical Production)

History/Literature (Directing, Dramaturgy, History, Playwriting)

Program Highlights

Training

Learn-by-doing approach with hands-on production experience from day one

Holistic exploration across all theatrical disciplines before specializing

Build a personalized course of study according to your interests and professional goals

Facilities

Crewe Center for the Arts — brand-new state-of-the-art facility opened Fall 2025

Located in Portland, Maine — the cultural heart of the state

Degree Flexibility

Performance (Acting & Dance)

Design/Technology (Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Sound, Stage Management, Technical Production)

History/Literature (Directing, Dramaturgy, History, Playwriting)

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

International Fee

$50

Deadline

Early ActionDec 1, 2026

PriorityFeb 1, 2027

Additional DeadlineAug 15, 2027

Undergraduate Admission · usm.maine.edu

Audition 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.

Songs

Optional Song Alternative

If choosing the one-monologue Performance option, prepare 32 bars of a song

Monologues

Performance Option A

Present two contrasting monologues, no longer than 2 minutes each

Monologues must be from published dramatic literature

Performance Option B

Present one 1-minute monologue and 32 bars of a song

Monologue must be from published dramatic literature

Material Selection

No film monologues, poems, or self-written work

Faculty may work with you on monologue material and may include improvisation and/or movement exercises

Additional Materials

Written Responses

Required: why do you want a degree in theatre and how do you hope to use your education after graduation? (350-500 words)

Required: share an experience with a theatrical event that left an impact on you and why

Required: what person(s) or reason(s) influenced your choice to audition for the USM Department of Theatre? (up to 100 words)

Design/Technology Materials

Present sketches, production documents, prompt books, or other representations of previous work if available

If you do not have materials, be ready to discuss your theatre interests and experience

Interview Audition Information · usm.maine.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to USM through the Office of Admissions

Submit the online Interview/Audition Request Form to the Department of Theatre

No separate audition portal required - applies directly through the school website

Eligibility

Must be accepted to USM or have submitted the university application to be granted an interview/audition

Theatre major is offered by the Department of Theatre; BM Music Performance - Musical Theatre Concentration is offered by the Osher School of Music

Admission Pathway

Choose desired Theatre area of focus on the request form: Design/Technology, History/Literature, Performance, multiple interests, or undecided

Performance applicants choose either two monologues, or one monologue plus 32 bars of a song

What's The Process

Audition Process

Must be an accepted USM student or have submitted university application before scheduling

Submit online Interview/Audition Request Form via the Department of Theatre website

Prepare for interview/audition based on your area of interest

Contact

Janice Gardner, Department of Theatre Outreach Coordinator: janice.gardner@maine.edu

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.34

Admit rate

79%

school-wide

Grad rate

40%

Enrollment

4.2K

Earnings

$50K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$13,260

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$32,490

Before aid

Average net price

$13,596

After aid

Undergraduate Tuition Fees · usm.maine.edu College Scorecard

Training

Learn-by-doing approach with hands-on production experience from day one

Holistic exploration across all theatrical disciplines before specializing

Build a personalized course of study according to your interests and professional goals

Facilities

Crewe Center for the Arts — brand-new state-of-the-art facility opened Fall 2025

Located in Portland, Maine — the cultural heart of the state

Degree Flexibility

Performance (Acting & Dance)

Design/Technology (Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Sound, Stage Management, Technical Production)

History/Literature (Directing, Dramaturgy, History, Playwriting)

Updated Sep 9, 3:19 PM