ADMISSION TO-DO LIST

Prospective Students

Entrance into the Department of Theatre is by audition or by a portfolio review for prospective students interested in technical theatre and design.  Prospective students (including transfer students) must also complete the admission requirements for Chapman University, including the Theatre Departmental Application.

During the entrance audition or portfolio review, considerations for talent scholarship awards will be determined.  Students must declare a theatre major and be accepted into the program to receive a talent scholarship.

After auditioning, students will receive notification from Admissions if they have been accepted into the university.  Notification will then come from the Department of Theatre if a student has been accepted as a major in the theatre program.  Talent scholarship awards will not be announced until the audition process is complete.  Notification of acceptance into the Department of Theatre is usually completed by the end of March and notification of Talent Scholarship awards is usually completed by the end of April.

All freshmen and transfer students begin in the Bachelor of Arts degree program. Theatre majors may audition to be considered for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance degree program after the completion of their sophomore or junior year or for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Screen Acting degree program at the end of their freshman year.  Theatre minors do not need to audition for acceptance but are strongly recommended to meet with a theatre advisor.

Please note that many Theatre Department classes are designed for majors only.  Non-majors must contact the department if interested in registering for restricted courses.

How to Audition

All new students interested in the theatre major must contact Bonnie Walker in the Theatre office at (714) 744-7087, Option #2, to schedule an audition appointment. 

Please see the link below for the departmental application and audition guidelines:

• Theatre Departmental Application

Those students seeking Early Action must schedule audition appointments in October or November. Entrance to the theatre program is extremely competitive and there are a limited number of audition dates. Once the audition dates have been filled, students must utilize the video audition option. In certain cases, special audition arrangements may be made through the department office, at the discretion of the department. If you are unable to keep an audition appointment, as a courtesy please contact the department office as soon as possible so that we may make your space available to another prospective student. 

Theatre majors at Chapman have the opportunity to participate in CAST, the Coalition of Artistic Students in Theatre.  CAST aims to encourage professionalism and involvement within the department and assists students seeking opportunities in professional theatre and film.  CAST seeks to broaden theatrical exposure within the Chapman community and the community at large by providing opportunities for students to produce, write, direct, act and work backstage in student productions.  CAST is committed to igniting a sense of unity and collaboration between students and faculty.