Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama

Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama produces innovators, practitioners, and industry leaders in the arts and entertainment professions who indelibly impact how people experience the world at large.

The Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama is the oldest conservatory training and the first degree-granting drama institution in the United States of America. Founded in 1914, the school combines established practice with innovation, pedagogical and technological advancement across all disciplines. School of Drama graduates commit to the enrichment of diverse arts practices, champion interdisciplinary collaborations, explore new forms of creative expression, and promote community and diversity. The school’s conservatory program within the university prepares students intellectually, artistically, and practically to be leaders in their chosen professions, whether it be on stage, in film, television, or within the expanding realm of new media.

UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONPlease apply to Carnegie Mellon University via the Common App prior to submitting your pre-screen. You can find out more about CMU admission requirements here.
The School of Drama application for Fall 2025 will close on December 1, 2024.   

APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS:
There is a $120 application fee for each Acceptd application submitted due at the time of application. Fee waivers are available for students who meet one of the indicators of economic need as outlined on the Common Application. Please contact Acceptd Support (support@getacceptd.com) to receive a fee waiver prior to submitting your application.


APPLYING TO ACTING OR ACTING/MUSIC THEATER:
This is the pre-screening website for Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama. Pre-Screens are required for BFA Acting and BFA Acting/Music Theater. You must complete this pre-screening process prior to December 1 in order to be considered for an invitation to audition. 

ACTING

PRE-SCREEN GUIDELINES

You must complete this pre-screen process in order to be considered for a live (in-person or virtual) audition. Live auditions are by invitation only.

NOTE: All applicants interested in auditioning for both the Music Theater and Acting programs should submit a pre-screening for Music Theater only. This one pre-screening will be sufficient to address the needs and requirements of both programs.

Visit Acceptd to upload the following between SEPTEMBER 1 and DECEMBER 1:

• Resume including any training and experience in theater, film, music, and dance as well as academic achievements, work experience, and community service.
• Headshot
• Two contrasting monologues:
  • • One classical monologue from a published play with an emphasis on heightened language (preferably Shakespeare).
    • One contemporary monologue from a published play.
    • Monologues should be excerpted from a published play and not from a musical.
    • Each monologue file should be 60-90 seconds in length.
    • We prefer one of your monologues be framed with a “½ body” shot (meaning from the top of your head to your waistline). Your other monologue should be framed with a “¾ body” shot (meaning from the top of your head to your knees) or a “full body” shot (meaning from the top of your head to your feet on the floor).
    • Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc).
    • There should not be a separate “slate” video, rather 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.

INVITED AUDITION GUIDELINES:

If you are invited, you must register for your live in-person or virtual audition at getacceptd.com/cmudrama. We cannot accommodate “walk-ins.”

Prepare two contrasting monologues. These monologues can be the same as your pre-screen monologues or different.

• One classical monologue from a published play with an emphasis on heightened language (preferably Shakespeare).
• One contemporary monologue from a published play.
• Each monologue must be 60-90 seconds in length.
• Read the entire play from which the monologue is excerpted so you can demonstrate an understanding of the character and situation.
• Be prepared to perform a third monologue if asked.
• Suggested: Choose monologues within your natural age range (teens and 20s).

You must complete this pre-screen process in order to be considered for a live (in-person or virtual) audition. Live auditions are by invitation only.

NOTE: All applicants interested in auditioning for both the Music Theater and Acting programs should submit a pre-screening for Music Theater only. This one pre-screening will be sufficient to address the needs and requirements of both programs.

Visit Acceptd to upload the following between SEPTEMBER 1 and DECEMBER 1:

• Resume including any training and experience in theater, film, music, and dance as well as academic achievements, work experience, and community service.
• Headshot
• Two contrasting songs:
  • • One song written before 1970. This song can be an uptempo or a ballad (student’s choice).
    • One song written after 1970, which contrasts the style & tempo of the first selection.
    • One song should be a ballad and one song should be uptempo.
    • Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds).
    • Students should sing to musical accompaniment, including live or pre-recorded accompaniment.
    • Songs should be framed in landscape orientation. (Close-up, ¾, or full-body framing is acceptable.)
    • Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc).
    • There should not be a separate “slate” video, rather slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece. The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song title, and the show in which it appears.
• Two contrasting monologues:
  • • One classical monologue from a published play with an emphasis on heightened language (preferably Shakespeare).
    • One contemporary monologue from a published play.
    • Monologues should be excerpted from a published play and not from a musical.
    • Each monologue file should be 60-90 seconds in length.
    • We would prefer one of your monologues be framed with a “½ body” shot (meaning from the top of your head to your waistline). Your other monologue should be framed with a “¾ body” shot (meaning from the top of your head to your knees) or “full body” shot (meaning from the top of your head to your feet on the floor).
    • Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc).
    • There should not be a separate “slate” video, rather 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.

INVITED MT AUDITION GUIDELINES:

If invited, you will register for your live in-person or virtual audition at getacceptd.com/cmudrama. We cannot accommodate “walk-ins.”

Please prepare two contrasting songs. You are welcome to sing the same material that you submitted or you may bring in new material.

• One song written before 1970. This song can be an uptempo or a ballad (student’s choice).
• One song written after 1970, which contrasts the style & tempo of the first selection.
• One song should be a ballad and one song should be uptempo.
• Each song should be 60-90 seconds in length.
• Students will sing with live musical accompaniment. An accompanist will be provided.
• Please bring your entire repertoire book, as you may be asked to sing additional selections during your audition.

Prepare two contrasting monologues. These monologues can be the same as your pre-screen monologues or different.

• One classical monologue from a published play with an emphasis on heightened language (preferably Shakespeare).
• One contemporary monologue from a published play.
• Each monologue must be 60-90 seconds in length.
• Read the entire play from which the monologue is excerpted so you are able to demonstrate an understanding of the character and situation.
• Be prepared to perform a third monologue if asked.
• Suggested: Choose monologues within your natural age range (teens and 20s).

You must complete this pre-screening process in order to be invited to audition. If you are invited, you will register for your audition at getacceptd.com/cmudrama. We cannot accommodate “walk-ins".

APPLYING TO DESIGN/PRODUCTION:
This is the pre-screening website for Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama. Pre-Screen portfolios are required for BFA Design/Production. Invitations for interviews will be sent out following the pre-screen deadlines. You will not have access to schedule your interview prior to receiving your invitation.
Early Decision applicants must complete this pre-screening process prior to November 1 in order to be considered for an interview invitation.
Regular Decision applicants must complete this pre-screening process prior to December 1 in order to be considered for an interview invitation. 

DESIGN/PRODUCTION

Applicants to Design and Production Technology & Management programs must have some practical experience in theater and be able to demonstrate basic proficiency in areas of design, project planning, and/or creative execution by submitting a digital portfolio for review. The portfolio should include about 15 items of work in several media and techniques as well as a resume or CV. Not all samples of work have to pertain to theater.

Watch this video for tips and tricks on assembling your portfolio!

INTERVIEW GUIDELINES

Provide 15 examples of creative work which could include:

Use of color, line drawing, painting, drafting, mechanical drawing

Photography, including photographs of your productions

Models, costume pieces, masks

Sculpture or installation art

Sound cues or recordings containing original recordings or music (no more than five and no more than one minute in length each)

Video or media files containing original work (no more than five and no more than two minutes in length each)

Plots, ground plans, elevations and other production paperwork you may have produced for a show

Organizational Paperwork developed for production, such as schedules, reports, budgets, estimates, etc.

Photos of work 

Applicants should concentrate on showing creative process, not just finished product

APPLYING TO DRAMATURGY:

The Dramaturgy program provides a rigorous academic and artistic training sequence, emphasizing criticism, history, and practical skills. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the necessary research and writing skills to succeed in this environment. The following items should be submitted to Get Acceptd by DECEMBER 1:

• Resumé or curriculum vitae
• A brief (less than 750 word) letter that addresses the question: "Why are you interested in studying dramaturgy, and what experience do you bring to the area of study?"
• Two (2) letters of recommendation from sources familiar with your research and writing skills. Please note letters of recommendation should be submitted with your Common Application.
• Two (2) samples of original argumentative writing that are approximately 1,000 words each. These writing samples should demonstrate your ability to use evidence to support a thesis: e.g., an analysis of a work of literature or art or of an event in history. You should feel free to submit work that was written for a recent high school- or college-level humanities course.
• There is no in-person interview required, but the School of Drama faculty may contact applicants via phone or email to obtain further information after January 18.

APPLYING TO DIRECTING: 

Admission to the BFA Directing program is paused for fall 2025.

Thank you. We look forward to seeing your work!

Questions? Please contact Sarah Shechtman at sshechtm@andrew.cmu.edu

For more information about all of Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama programs visit drama.cmu.edu.

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.