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Slippery Rock University

Pennsylvania , United States

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Applications for the 2022-2023 audition process are now open!

THE SRU THEATRE DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING a renewable $4000 Green & White Scholarship for 2022-2023 

Click on the RESOURCES TAB above for audition guidelines.

SRU is using the Musical Theatre Common Prescreen for all Musical Theatre applicants.

Slippery Rock University is a NAST-accredited institution where Theatre students develop their artistry through hands-on experiences in academic classrooms, design studios, acting laboratories, and public performance spaces. We are dedicated to helping students discover and develop themselves as unique and authentic artists.

We offer a world class education and conservatory-style pre-professional training, all at state university prices. Our small class sizes guarantee that students get as much hands-on experience as possible, beginning their very first semester.  Dedicated faculty and staff are committed to mentoring students though their studies and into their professional careers.  Graduates have gone on to flourish professionally as performers, designers, administrators and technicians; many have continued their education at top-ranked graduate programs.

SRU Theatre offers the following degree programs:

  • BFA Acting: Musical Theatre (requires an audition)
  • BFA Acting: Acting (requires an audition) 
  • BA Theatre: Acting (no audition/portfolio required)
  • BA Theatre: Design & Technology (no audition/portfolio required); students can focus in Costume, Scenery, Lighting, Props, and/or Sound
  • BA Theatre: Theatre Arts Management (no audition/portfolio required)
  • BA Theatre: Theatre Studies (no audition/portfolio required)
Students can also visit SRU DANCE DEPARTMENT or SRU MUSIC DEPARTMENT for more info about their degree programs.

New Facilities

Students will have the opportunity to perform in a brand-new state-of-the-art performing arts center, a complex boasting a 753-seat proscenium theatre, a 296-seat flexible black box theatre, spacious new scene and costume shops, and new acting and design classrooms. The spaces just opened in 2021 following a $30 million renovation.

International Performance Opportunities

The SRU Department of Theatre travels regularly to Edinburgh, Scotland to perform in the world’s largest international theatre festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  Students have the opportunity to see works of theatre, dance, and physical theatre from around the world and earn an international credit for their resumes.

Additional Information:

We encourage you to explore Slippery Rock University, our Department, our programs and our campus by visiting the following links:

Contact Information:

Questions about our programs can be directed to the individuals below:

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Please choose the RESOURCES tab above for audition criteria
or begin your prescreen application through the dropdown menu to the left.
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Admission Process

There are 2 steps to enrolling in one of Slippery Rock University’s BFA Acting programs.  These steps can be completed in either order but we recommend applying to the university by December 1, 2022 in order to be eligible for the widest variety of scholarships and on-campus housing options.

  • Step 1: Admission to Slippery Rock University.
    • Complete the SRU application process.

SRU uses a rolling-admission process so there is no application deadline. However, December 1, 2022 is the deadline to be considered for merit scholarships and February 28, 2023 is the deadline to apply for consideration for SRU-based scholarships.

  • Step 2: Acceptance to the BFA program through the SRU Theatre Department.
    • Complete the audition prescreen and callback process.
      • Complete the prescreen application process on Acceptd. Begin by clicking on the programs in the dropdown menu on the left.
      • Students who successfully pass the prescreen phase will be invited to campus to complete an in-person callback audition.

Prescreen audition submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 1, 2023.

There are 2 phases to our audition process - the virtual PRESCREEN AUDITION (Phase 1) and the in-person CALLBACK/INTERVIEW (Phase 2).  Students who successfully complete Phase 1 will receive an invitation to complete Phase 2.  Students who successfully complete Phase 2 are accepted to the program.  Students must be accepted to the BFA program AND admitted to SRU to enroll.

  • Phase 1 – Online Prescreen Audition
    • All applicants are required to submit the materials appropriate to their preferred program. DETAILED AUDITION GUIDELINES for both programs (ACTING and MUSICAL THEATRE) are included in the RESOURCES TAB above.
    • Students who successfully complete Phase 1 Prescreens will be invited to complete Phase 2 Callbacks. Students who receive a Phase 2 callback invitation will be offered a space at one of the in-person, on-campus callback auditions listed below.
    • Invitations to callbacks will be offered on a rolling basis so there are no specific deadlines for prescreen submissions except the final deadline of April 1, 2023. Students are encouraged to submit prescreens as early as possible.
  • Phase 2 – In-person Callbacks
    • Callback Auditions are by invitation only.
    • The process will require the applicant to:
      • Complete an on-campus callback audition, personal interview, and voice class with the Theatre Department faculty. The audition will require the student to incorporate direction or coaching advice related to the prescreen materials.
    • On-Campus Callback Auditions will take place on:
      • Saturday, November 19, 2022
      • Monday, February 20, 2023
      • Friday, March 3, 2023
      • Saturday, April 22, 2023

A NOTE ABOUT DANCE: The SRU Theatre BFA Acting program currently does not require dance auditions for either the prescreen or callback phases. This is because SRU Theatre collaborates very closely with our nationally-ranked Dance Department to offer dance training for students no matter what their past experience is. Students who are well-trained in dance may strengthen their applications by submitting optional dance videos and can request to be considered for the Dance Performance minor. These students will be placed in higher level dance studios to continue their training. Students who have had less training can choose to audition without submitting dance videos and will be placed in lower-level dance studios to strengthen their skills. The Departments of Theatre and Dance are committed to providing a path through the Musical Theatre program for any student, regardless of their level of dance training.

Specific guidelines and required submission materials for all BFA Acting auditions can be downloaded here: AUDITION GUIDELINES or from the RESOURCES tab above.

Should you have any general questions or concerns about the BFA programs, please feel free to reach out to BFATheatre@sru.edu

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For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.