Syracuse University Drama

The Department of Drama at Syracuse University offers conservatory-style training at a major American university, combined with a level of integration with a professional theater company that is unparalleled among undergraduate programs. Ranked among the top five schools in the country for undergraduate study in drama, we offer a rich program of study that fosters the development of bold, passionate, truthful, skilled, and imaginative theater artist professionals. 

A dedicated faculty of working professionals; a unique affiliation with Syracuse Stage; an outstanding Equity theater company that shares our theater complex; opportunities to learn by experience—in Syracuse, New York City, Los Angeles, and abroad—in various areas of the entertainment industry; and the academic resources of a major research university—all of these combine to create an undergraduate theater training program with a unique scope and a proven record of success.

Join a stellar list of alumni such as Jessie Mueller ’05 (stage), Arielle Tepper Madover ’94 (stage and film producer), Taye Diggs ’93 (stage, screen, television), Vanessa Williams ’86 (stage, screen, television), Aaron Sorkin ’83 (creator, screenwriter), Frank Langella ’59 (stage and screen), and many more.

Musical Theater and Acting Deadlines:

Early Decision (First-year students only): 

• Prescreen submission: Oct. 1, 2022
• Common Application: Nov. 15, 2022
• Final Virtual Audition Materials: Nov. 1, 2022
• Final Virtual Interview: TBD
• Final In-person Audition: TBD

Regular Decision (First year & Transfer students):

• Prescreen submission: Nov. 1, 2022
• Common Application & Final Recorded Audition: Jan. 5, 2023
• Drama Final Audition and Interview: TBD

 Follow these steps to move through the online audition process:

1. Submit the required prescreen to Acceptd
   • All first-year and transfer applicants to Musical Theater and Acting are required to submit a prescreening audition via Acceptd.
   • Early Decision applicants will receive the results of their prescreening two to three weeks after their submission. Regular Decision applicants will receive notification by November 30. If you do not receive notification by November 30, please contact us.
     
     

     • Applicants who successfully pass the prescreening must either:

       • Register for an In-Person Audition at one of our on- or off-campus audition days via Acceptd scheduling
         
         or
         
         Submit new final Virtual Audition materials and schedule a virtual interview date via Acceptd.
         
         
       • There is no advantage in choosing an In-Person Audition versus a Virtual Audition.
       
       
       •  Please review the "requirements after successful prescreening" section of the Drama Audition Requirements webpage.
         
         
       • Dates for interviews can be found on the VPA website and will be visible once granted access in Acceptd.
         
         
2. In addition to the audition form and completing an audition, you must submit a Syracuse University application. 
   • We encourage students to wait for their prescreening results before submitting the SU application (Common Application) so that you have the opportunity to change your major indication on the application if you are not invited to submit final audition materials for acting or musical theater.*
   • If you are not invited to submit a final audition for acting or musical theater, we encourage you to apply to Syracuse University for other programs in which you may be interested.*

Please see our website for all important deadlines. To start your Syracuse University application, you can visit the website here.

For more details about our programs, requirements, and procedures please visit our website.

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.