To receive maximum scholarship consideration, including merit and talent-based scholarships, submit your application to George Mason University by November 1.
Come see a performance by the Mason Players, who present two main stage and three student-directed studio productions each year.
Develop the skills needed to thrive as an actor, director, musical theater performer, designer, playwright, screenwriter, or teacher by earning a degree in theater.
How to Apply
Step One
Apply to the university. Your application to the university must be on file prior to your audition. We strongly encourage you to apply to the university by November 1 to receive maximum scholarship consideration, including merit and talent-based scholarships. The regular decision application deadline is February 1, and the transfer application priority deadline is March 1.
Step Two
Audition deadlines:
All freshman early action CVPA auditions must be scheduled by November 7.
All freshman regular decision auditions must be scheduled by February 7.
Program Audition, Portfolio Requirements
- All applicants interview with a faculty panel in order to become a Theater Major. Auditions, Portfolio Reviews and Interviews may be conducted either in person by appointment or by online submission at any time.
- All applicants submit a theater résumé, in PDF format, limited to one page. The résumé should list the applicant’s theater experience, training, and any special skills.
- Applicants applying to the BA with a concentration in Theater Studies perform a prepared monologue not to exceed 90 seconds, or submit a dramatic writing sample or portfolio, or respond to the essay prompt “Why do you wish to study Theater at Mason?”
- Applicants for the BA Theater Education concentration audition with one prepared monologue not to exceed 90 seconds, or submit a portfolio for review. Applicants also submit a two-page Teaching Philosophy Statement.
- Applicants for the BA and BFA Performance Concentration audition for the program, with two prepared contrasting monologues, each not to exceed 90 seconds.
- Applicants for the BA Design and Technical Theater Concentration respond to the essay prompt “Why do you wish to study theater at Mason?” or submit a portfolio. Applicants for the BFA Design for Stage and Screen Concentration submit a portfolio which includes evidence of relevant work on at least one production.
- Applicants for the BFA Musical Theater Concentration audition for the program with two prepared contrasting monologues, each not to exceed 90 seconds, and two prepared songs not to exceed three minutes in total.
In-person interviews will immediately follow in-person auditions or portfolio reviews, and online interviews will be scheduled shortly after receipt of online submissions.
Students must open an account on SlideRoom in order to submit materials, upload digital or video content, or to schedule their interview or in-person session. Instructions will be sent after your application to Mason Admissions is received.
See details on the College of Visual & Performing Arts Admissions page. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of submission, and your program audition or review date, if applicable.
We are looking for:
- Appropriate level of craft and artistry
- Commitment to the work as demonstrated by preparation for the interview, audition, and/or portfolio review, or as articulated in a submitted two-page statement
- Willingness to accept direction, criticism and mentoring
- Willingness and ability to collaborate with students, faculty, and staff
Current Mason students must:
- open an account on SlideRoom (applications will open week of August 7, 2023) and upload audition or portfolio requirements
- Have a 2.5 GPA or higher
- if accepted, a change of major form will be required
If you have any questions, please contact the theater office.
Audition, Portfolio Review, and Interview Dates
Check on the School of Theater web site for the latest dates.
Please note the following important deadlines:
- All freshman early action auditions must be scheduled by November 7.
- All freshman regular decision auditions must scheduled by February 7.
If you have any questions, please email the School of Theater. If necessary, an applicant can request an individual appointment during normal business hours. In-person appointments will take place on the Fairfax Campus, once they resume.
Programs
Theater, BA
There are four areas of concentration in the Theater BA, each with its own admissions requirements.
Theater Studies
- A more flexible and cross-disciplinary approach designed for the Theater Generalist who wants to experience as many aspects of the field as are available. Applicants perform a monologue not to exceed 90 seconds, or submit a dramatic writing sample or portfolio, or respond to the essay prompt “Why do you wish to study Theater at Mason?” The essay should be between 500-750 words. Applicants may choose to present additional examples of their work as appropriate (e.g., a second monologue, writing sample, sketches, research, or other example of theater-related work).
Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12
- Applicants for the BA Theater Education concentration audition with one prepared monologue not to exceed 90 seconds, or submit a portfolio for review. Applicants also submit a two-page Teaching Philosophy Statement and a résumé.
Performance (Acting and Directing) Concentration
- Applicants provide a résumé and prepare two contrasting monologues, not to exceed 90 seconds each. In-person applicants will be asked by the faculty panel to make adjustments and repeat portions of their work.
Design and Technical Theater Concentration
- Applicants for the BA Design and Technical Theater Concentration respond to an essay prompt “Why do you wish to study theater at Mason?” or submit a portfolio.
- Essay should be between 500-750 words, and explain your interest in the design/tech area
OR - Portfolio should showcase your experience with theater/performance/events or visual arts. Portfolio shall contain at least one of these examples:
- Production or process photos
- Sample production paperwork
- Drafting examples
- Design renderings/sketches
- Calling script excerpt
- Sound cue samples
- Visual art samples
Theater, BFA
There are three areas of concentration in the Theater BFA, each with its own admissions requirements:
Performance for Stage and Screen (Acting and Directing) Concentration
- Applicant provides a résumé and prepare two contrasting monologues, not to exceed 90 seconds each. In-person applicants will be asked by the faculty panel to make adjustments and repeat portions of their work.
Design for Stage and Screen Concentration
- Applicant for the BFA Design for Stage and Screen Concentration submits a portfolio which includes evidence of relevant work on at least one production.
- Portfolio should showcase your experience with theater/performance/events and/or visual arts
- Portfolio should contain at least two of these examples:
- Production or process photos
- Sample production paperwork
- Drafting examples
- Design renderings/sketches
- Calling script excerpt
- Sound cue samples
- Visual art samples
Musical Theater Concentration
- Applicant provides a résumé and prepares two contrasting monologues, not to exceed 90 seconds each. In-person applicants will be asked by the faculty panel to make adjustments and repeat portions of their work.
- Applicant also presents two prepared songs that demonstrate variety, not to exceed three minutes in total. In-person Actor/Singers will be asked to make adjustments and repeat portions of their work.
- An accompanist is available for in-person Musical Theater auditions, requiring a $40 cash fee on day of audition. This service includes a brief rehearsal just prior to appointment time. You may provide your own accompanist, or present your two songs a cappella, without accompaniment, if you prefer.
A Note about Virtual Auditions, Portfolio Reviews, and Interviews
Although the in-person experience is preferred, any applicant may choose to submit video auditions or digital materials through SlideRoom. Instructions will be sent upon submission of Admissions application if Theater is indicated as a student’s intended major. A follow-up online interview will be scheduled after receipt of virtual materials.
Notification
Applicants to the Theater Major will be notified of a decision within two weeks of their interview, and are subject to successful admission into the University. Those denied acceptance to the Theater major must wait one year before reapplying.
Theater, BA/Arts Management, Accelerated MA
Undergraduates in Theater may apply to the Accelerated Master of Arts in Arts Management degree program. If accepted, students will be able to earn a BA in Theater and an MA in Arts Management after satisfactory completion of 150 credits.
Students choosing the accelerated option must fulfill all university requirements for the master’s degree. The regular time-frame design would start in the Fall, with completion in the Summer five years later, but longer time-frames may also be possible.
This accelerated option is offered through joint cooperation between the School of Theater and the Arts Management Program.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies section of the catalog.
To apply to this program, please visit the College of Visual and Performing Arts Accelerated Master's Admissions page.
Minors
Event Technical Production
The Theater minor requires 18-credits of coursework. For more information, go to the Event Technical Production Minor (College of Visual and Performing Arts) page in the university catalog.
Any Mason student may declare an Event Technical Production minor and need not complete an audition, portfolio review, or interview.
Audio Production
The Theater minor requires 18-credits of course work. For more information, go to the Audio Production minor page in the university catalog.
Any Mason student may declare an Audio Production minor and need not complete an audition, portfolio review, or interview.
Theater
The Theater minor requires 18 credits of coursework. For more information, go to the Theater Minor page in the university catalog.
Any Mason student may declare a Theater minor and need not complete an audition, portfolio review, or interview.
Theater Performance
Designed for students with a passion for performance. The 18 credit Theater Performance Minor offers students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of performance analysis and basic training of the actor’s instrument.
Any Mason student may declare a Theater minor and need not complete an audition, portfolio review, or interview.
Open House
Please see our Undergraduate Open House page for current information on Open House dates.
Contact us
Our mailing address is:
George Mason University
Mail Stop 3E6
deLaski Performing Arts Building A407
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030