Boston University School of Theatre

THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE within the COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS at BOSTON UNIVERSITY is one of the country’s leading institutions for the study of the theatrical profession, including Acting, Management, Design, and Production; while providing students an opportunity to integrate a thorough liberal arts education.

Through the BFA Theatre and BFA Theatre Arts programs at the BU School of Theatre, students gain essential tools aimed at enhancing their innate instincts, developing their artistic voice, and challenging their work toward ever-increasing levels of awareness, imagination, and expression. During each year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, courses in the major follow a carefully integrated sequence of class exercises and production assignments. Additionally, the School of Theatre provides for artist-scholars and scholar-artists to experience all the opportunities of a Research 1 liberal arts university as they deepen their knowledge of foundational techniques within the art form.

In their first year, all BFA Theatre students are enrolled in the Theatre Core curriculum, focusing on either Performance (Performance Core) or Design, Production & Management Core (DP&M Core). 

For Graduate Information, please scroll to the bottom of this page.


UNDERGRADUATE: IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION & DEADLINES

You must apply to Boston University via the Common App prior to submitting your materials.  For more information, please visit BU Admissions.  BU is test-optional, meaning you do not have to submit SAT and ACT test scores.

There are two parts to the BU application process for prospective undergraduate (BFA) students: 

1) The Academic Review with Boston University, and 

2) The Artistic Review with the School of Theatre

Applicants must complete both parts of the application process to be considered for admission to the BU School of Theatre. 

Applications for Boston University can be completed via the Common App: Once that is completed, and applicants have received a BU ID, they can apply for an Artistic Review via the Acceptd Platform. 

Artistic Reviews vary slightly depending on the core program for which you apply. The first step of the Artistic Review is a Prescreen through the Acceptd Platform: 

• In Acceptd, Performance Core applicants should choose either Performance Core Early Decision 1,  Performance Core Early Decision 2, or  Performance Core Regular Decision, when selecting a “Program” in the Acceptd Platform. Performance Core is best suited for students pursuing BFA degree in Acting or Theatre Arts.  

• In Acceptd, DP&M Core  [description] should choose either DP&M Core Early Decision 1,  DP&M Core Early Decision 2, or  DP&M Core Regular Decision. DP&M Core is best suited for students pursuing a BFA degree in Scene Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, Costume Production, Technical Production, Stage Management, or Theatre Arts with a focus in Design & Production. 

The School of Theatre application opens on September 1st, 2023 for Fall 2024 admission. Please start an application to view the specific guidelines. To sign up for an information session led by a current student, faculty, or staff member, visit this page.

The BFA Performance Core is the first year of our BFA Acting and BFA Theatre Arts - Performance programs. More about the BFA Performance Core.
The BFA Design & Production Core is the first year of our BFA Design, BFA Production, BFA Stage Management and BFA Theatre Arts – Design & Production programs. More about our BFA Design & Production Core.

Our School of Theatre Application Fee is $35. 
For more information about fee waivers, please scroll to the end of this page.

Early Decision 1

• Common Application Deadline:  Apply by November 1st 
• Acceptd Deadline:  Upload by November 1st
  • Please schedule your audition/interview after applying and provide any desired supplemental materials

Early Decision 2

• Common Application with Merit Scholarship* Deadline:  Apply by December 1st
  • For more information on merit scholarships, please click here. 
• Common Application without Merit Scholarship Deadline:  Apply by January 4th 
• Acceptd Deadline:  Upload by January 4th
  • Please schedule your audition/interview after applying and provide any desired supplemental materials

Regular Decision

Regular Decision candidates will be required to submit pre-screen materials.  Some applicants are then invited to participate in a live audition (BFA Performance Core) or virtual interview (BFA Design & Production Core).  Applicants will be notified by the first week in January if they are being asked to schedule their timeslot.  The first weekend of auditions/interviews is January 20th, so please plan for a potentially tight turnaround if you are submitting close to the deadline. 

* Pre-Screen Deadlines for 2023/24 are December 1st *

• Common Application with Merit Scholarship* Deadline:  Apply by December 1st
  • *for more information on merit scholarships, please click here. 
• Common Application without Merit Scholarship Deadline:  Apply by January 4th 
• Acceptd Deadline for self-tape videos: Upload by December 1st
• Acceptd Deadline for all other materials:  Upload by January 4th

Transfer Students

Transfer Students will also be required to submit pre-screen materials.  Some applicants are then invited to participate in a live audition (BFA Performance Core) or virtual interview (BFA Design & Production Core).  Applicants will be notified on or before March 20th if they are being asked to schedule their timeslot.  Please know that our auditions/interviews will be the weekend of March 25th, so please plan for a potentially tight turnaround if you are submitting close to the deadline. 

• Common Application Deadline:  Apply by March 15th 
• Acceptd Deadline:  Upload by March 15th

BU Financial Aid

• Application Deadline:  Apply by December 1
• Required Materials: FAFSA and CSS Profile 
  • for more information about financial assistance, please click here. 

GRADUATE: IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION & DEADLINES

The School of Theatre offers MFA Degrees in Directing, Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, Costume Production, Technical Production and Production Management; as well as an Artisan Certificate in Scenic Painting.  The graduate program is rigorous and selective in order to cultivate a collaborative cohort that works together in both the classroom, and in performance spaces.  Students are supported and encouraged to engage with the greater Boston network through personalized Faculty mentorships, Assistantship opportunities, and our Professional Theater Initiatives.  For more information, please visit our School of Theatre website.

A breakdown of portfolio requirements by degree can be found here.

Please note: In addition to uploading your portfolio materials here, you must complete and submit a Boston University College of Fine Arts: Graduate Application

• Boston University Priority Application Deadline:  January 15th   
• Deadline to participate in URTA Conference:  January 1st  
  • deadline for URTA attendees to submit their BU Graduate Application: February 16th 
• The 2024 URTA's (University Resident Theater Association) will take place during these dates:

• • Graduate Design & Production:
    • In-Person (Chicago):  Jan. 24 – 26, 2024
    • Live-Virtual Interviews (via video conferencing): Jan. 17, 2024

• • Graduate Directing:
    • Live-Virtual Interviews (via video conferencing):  Feb. 2 & 3, 2024

Applications received after these dates will be considered on a space-available basis. 

A breakdown of portfolio requirements by degree can be found here.

General Questions
please contact us at theatre@bu.edu
or call (617) 353-3390

Technical Questions
please visit the Acceptd Help Desk 

Financial Assistance
regarding fee waivers, please click here

Thank you visiting us!!  We look forward to seeing your work.

Tour of the SOT space   |   Get to Know Professor Chris Edwards   |  Class of '23 Showcase