BFA Entrance Audition and Portfolio Review
First-year students interested in the BFA Theatre program must audition or complete a portfolio review for entrance.
To apply for an audition or portfolio review, please complete your prescreen profile through Acceptd and submit it to Theatre TCU. If the prescreen is approved, you will be contacted to schedule an entrance audition or portfolio review.
View 2024 – 2025 Audition Dates
Review each BFA program’s prescreen and audition/portfolio review requirements below.
Students admitted to TCU may enroll in the BA Theatre program without an entrance audition or portfolio review.
PRESCREEN REQUIREMENTS
Monologues
Two (2), 60-90 second contrasting monologues
-
- One (1) Contemporary monologue (written after 1900); filmed in a “close-up” shot with the top of the head to the chest visible in the frame.
- One (1) Classical monologue (written pre-1900); filmed in a “full body” shot with the top of the head to the feet on the floor visible in the frame. Only perform Shakespeare if you feel comfortable doing so.
- Slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.
Wildcard (optional)
-
- Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
- This media can be ANYTHING you want: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument that you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”
Reference and Support Materials
In addition to performance requirements, the following items are required to complete your Acceptd profile:
- Two letters of reference that speak to character and artistic promise. Letters must include recommender’s contact information.
- Complete resume of theatre work—honors, recognitions, awards, activities, history of theatre employment, etc.
- Photograph—professional headshot not required.
- One-page personal statement explaining professional aspirations and accomplishments.
Once the department has received the required prescreen application and support materials, if approved, you will receive an email to set a time for your audition and interview. Prescreen decisions are usually sent out within two weeks of submission.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
After prescreen approval, auditions will be scheduled as either in-person or virtual. Check out our scheduled audition dates HERE!
-
- Two (2) 60-90 second contrasting monologues performed live for Theatre TCU faculty and staff.
- You may perform the same material featured in your prescreen or may choose new pieces. We suggest you pick whatever material you feel most confident performing.
- Slate all of your pieces at the top of your audition then perform your selections back-to-back. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.
- For virtual auditions, your camera should be setup to capture a ¾ shot, with the top of the head to the knees visible in the frame
PRESCREEN REQUIREMENTS
**Musical Theater Common Prescreen – Option A**
Songs
(MT Common Prescreen Option A)
Two (2), 60-90 second contrasting song pieces:
-
- One song written before 1970 (musical theatre, Golden Age, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.)
- One song written after 1970 (musical theatre, Golden Age, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.). This song should contrast the style of the first selection.
- Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning singing without music).
Monologue
(MT Common Prescreen Option A)
One monologue from a published play or written by a professional writer.
-
- A professional writer is someone whose plays have been produced, but may not have been professionally published.
Dance
(MT Common Prescreen Option A)
-
- Show us your best version of dancing or moving. Please include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick (or other rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body).
Ballet (optional)
(MT Common Prescreen Option B)
Ballet Media should be no more than 60 seconds.
-
- Execute a brief series of plié, tendu and grande battement
- Execute pirouette en déhors (to both sides)
- Execute one or more grand jeté across the floor
Wildcard (optional)
This media can be ANYTHING you want – a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument that you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”
-
- Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
- Applicants do not need to slate in any wild card media.
- Tappers are encouraged to submit tap for their Wildcard.
Reference and Support Materials
In addition to performance requirements, the following items are required to complete your Acceptd profile:
- Two letters of reference that speak to character and artistic promise. Letters must include recommender’s contact information.
- Complete resume of theatre work—honors, recognitions, awards, activities, history of theatre employment, etc.
- Photograph—professional headshot not required.
- One-page personal statement explaining professional aspirations and accomplishments.
Once the department has received the required prescreen application and support materials, if approved, you will receive an email to set a time for your audition and interview. Prescreen decisions are usually sent out within two weeks of submission.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
After prescreen approval, auditions will be scheduled as either in-person or virtual. Check out our scheduled audition dates HERE!
-
- Two (2) 60-90 second contrasting song pieces AND one (1) 60-90 second contemporary monologue performed live for Theatre TCU faculty and staff.
- Students may perform the same material featured in their prescreen or may choose new pieces. We suggest picking whatever material you feel most confident performing.
- Slate all of your pieces at the top of your audition then perform your selections back-to-back. The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song title, and the show in which it appears. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.
- Students must sing to live or recorded accompaniment. No singing a cappella.
- For virtual auditions, your camera should be setup to capture a ¾ shot, which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.
Dance Call Requirements:
-
- On-Campus Auditions: A separate Dance Call will be scheduled for all on-campus Musical Theatre auditions.
- All Unified & Virtual Auditions: Theatre TCU will only reach out in rare circumstances to request from individuals an additional dance submission beyond what is submitted in their Acceptd profile. Additional dance requests will be given 2-3 weeks to complete their submission.
PRESCREEN REQUIREMENTS
Portfolio Review
A digital design & technology portfolio and/or other visual support materials.
Items may include:
-
- Drawings, sketches or paintings
- Theatre design concepts
- A sample from a stage manager’s book
- Pictures of models, costumes and realized theatre designs (props, lighting, scenery)
- Multimedia design project
- Art in any medium that showcases design and/or artistic ability
Wildcard (optional)
-
- This media can be ANYTHING you want: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument that you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”
- Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
Reference and Support Material
In addition to performance auditions or portfolio requirements, the following items are required to complete your Acceptd profile:
- Two letters of reference that speak to character and artistic promise. Letters must include recommender’s contact information.
- Complete resume of theatre or artistic work—honors, recognitions, awards, activities, history of theatre employment, etc.
- Photograph—professional headshot not required.
- One-page personal statement explaining professional aspirations and accomplishments.
Once the department has received the required prescreen application and support materials, if approved, you will receive an email to set a time for your audition and interview. Prescreen decisions are usually sent out within two weeks of submission.
PORTFOLIO REVIEW & INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS
After prescreen approval, portfolio reviews and interviews will be scheduled as either in-person or virtual. Check out our scheduled audition dates HERE!
-
- Review the materials from your prescreen live with Theatre TCU faculty and staff. Be prepared to discuss and answer questions about your past theatrical and artistic experiences as well as your future aspirations.
- For virtual portfolio reviews and interviews, it is helpful to have a PowerPoint presentation prepared of your work.
PRESCREEN REQUIREMENTS
Portfolio Review/Audition
BFA Theatre Studies students present a broad interest in theatre and may submit an array of materials that showcase that interest. Items may include one or more of the following:
-
- A digital design & technology portfolio and/or other visual support materials. Items may include:
-
- drawings, sketches or paintings
- theatre design concepts
- a sample from a stage manager’s book
-
- Pictures of models, costumes and realized theatre designs (props, lighting, scenery)
- Director’s concept for a show
- Excerpt from a play written by the student
- Excerpt from a written critical response to a piece of theatre
- One (1), 60-90 second monologue with slate. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright at the beginning of the piece.
- A digital design & technology portfolio and/or other visual support materials. Items may include:
Wildcard(optional)
-
- This media can be ANYTHING you want: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument that you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”
- Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
Reference and Support Material
In addition to song and/or monologue for performance auditions or portfolio requirements, the following items are required to complete your Acceptd profile:
- Two letters of reference that speak to character and artistic promise. Letters must include recommender’s contact information.
- Complete resume of theatre work—honors, recognitions, awards, activities, history of theatre employment, etc.
- Photograph—professional headshot not required.
- One-page personal statement explaining professional aspirations and accomplishments.
Once the department has received the required prescreen application and support materials, if approved, you will receive an email to set a time for your audition and interview. Prescreen decisions are usually sent out within two weeks of submission.
AUDITION/PORTFOLIO REVIEW REQUIREMENTS
After prescreen approval, auditions will be scheduled as either in-person or virtual. Check out our scheduled audition dates HERE!
-
- One (1) 60-90 second monologue performed live for Theatre TCU faculty and staff.
- You may perform the same material featured in your prescreen or may choose new pieces. We suggest you pick whatever material you feel most confident performing.
- Slates are to appear at the beginning of your piece. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.
- For virtual auditions, your camera should be setup to capture a ¾ shot, which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.
-AND/OR-
-
- Review the materials from your prescreen live with Theatre TCU faculty and staff. Be prepared to discuss and answer questions about your past theatrical and artistic experiences as well as your future aspirations.
- For virtual portfolio reviews and interviews, it is helpful to have a PowerPoint presentation prepared of your work.
Learn more about our degree plans:
Theatre, BFA Theatre, BA