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Chapman University's Department of Theatre is a mid-sized, competitive and rigorous theatre training program that offers highly personalized education, small class sizes, strong faculty mentorship, and opportunities for leadership and creative expression. We encourage a diversity of interests, provide a wide range of opportunities, and celebrate student initiative.

The Department focuses only on undergraduate education, and students work closely with faculty members who are active working professionals and scholars in the field. The Department’s interdisciplinary collaboration with the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts creates many opportunities for our students to take part in student film projects, both as technicians and actors.

And our location in Southern California creates a synergy with the entertainment industry that is hard to match in other locations in the country.

All applicants must provide supplemental materials (resume, goal statement, reference letter, photo), and will audition and/or interview for entrance. All BFA applicants must submit a video pre-screen audition via the Creative Supplement. These video auditions are viewed by our faculty and a limited number of students will be invited to audition live either at Chapman University, in New York, or Chicago (this is the choice of the applicant).

For those who cannot make it to campus or to off-campus audition sites, the Creative Supplement audition may be viewed as the final audition and a decision will be reached based on this video audition plus a phone interview or Zoom session. Because of the interactive nature of the live audition, in-person auditions are highly recommended.

A singular admission decision is agreed upon by the Department of Theatre and the Office of Admission and is then delivered to the applicant. In addition, Screen Acting applicants will also be reviewed by the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts as part of the admissions process.

The application process for the department differs by program. An applicant auditions specifically for the BFA in Theatre Performance or BFA in Screen Acting, or interviews for the B.A. in Theatre (Theatre Studies or Theatre Technology) degree program.

All applicants must select a degree program when they apply to the Department of Theatre: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre Studies or Theatre Technology, or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Screen Acting or Theatre Performance. Please read the information in this FAQ document and review the curriculum of each program (see Academic Programs for more information) to determine the degree that most closely suits your interests and goals. Because the audition/interview process differs for B.A. and BFA applicants, it is important to know for which program you are applying.

In the Creative Supplement, however, you may indicate that you wish to be considered for one of the other degree programs if not accepted to the program of your choice. If you are not accepted to the degree program of your choice, but have indicated interest in another program, you will be considered for that program as well.

Students must enter Chapman in the degree program for which they were accepted and may not change their degree program or area of study prior to entrance. If you decide to change your degree program once you are a student at Chapman, you can discuss it with your advisor and department chair. An application and interview/audition process is required to change your theatre degree program.

Transfer applicants may audition for the BFA programs, but please note that typical BFA program completion time for transfer students is three years from entrance to Chapman. However, this also depends on the level of acting technique demonstrated at the audition and on an evaluation of theatre coursework completed at prior institutions. Coursework in acting is sequential and offered over four years. If a transfer student enters the BFA program without prior theatre coursework or for screen acting without coursework in acting and in film/film studies, it may take four years to complete either BFA degree program.

Before discussing the differences, it is important to note the ways the programs are similar. All theatre degree programs require a student to take core courses in theatre studies (history and literature), directing, theatre technology (BA and BFA Theatre Performance) and acting. A student with a degree in theatre is required to be educated in all elements that go into the making of theatrical productions. (The BFA in Screen Acting is slightly different in its core—see question below on the difference between BFA Theatre Performance and BFA Screen Acting.) The primary difference between the B.A. and BFA programs is the degree of specialization.

The B.A. degree provides a background in all areas of theatre, and allows a student to specifically tailor their theatre studies in the areas of greatest interest such as technology, directing, stage management, playwriting and areas of theatre other than acting, although students may take five to six acting courses towards the degree. The B,A. degree requires 47 credits and provides the most flexible choice of courses and topics that can be studied in addition to the core requirements. It is an excellent degree for students interested in dual majors, and who want a broad background in theatre. The B.A. program requires that students meet a minimum ongoing GPA of 2.0. The B.A. program provides skills that enable students to enter the profession in a number of ways, and provides a strong background for students who wish to pursue further education at the graduate level.

The BFA programs focus specifically on acting, and require 78 credits. Our BFA degrees are pre-professional acting/training programs that require in-depth study of acting, voice, movement and text analysis. The BFA programs are also structured sequentially in acting studies, so there is less flexibility for the student to choose when specific courses are taken. If a student does not follow the acting course sequence, it may take additional time to graduate. BFA students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA. Both BFA programs are designed to hone and develop acting technique and prepare students for careers in performance.

Before discussing the differences, it is important to note the ways the programs are similar. Both BFA degrees are pre-professional degrees focused on acting training, including work on acting technique, voice, movement, text analysis and professional preparation. Majors in either program have opportunities to act on stage and to be involved in film projects.

The BFA in Theatre Performance degree is offered by the Department of Theatre and requires core curriculum studies in theatre studies (history, theory and literature), stage directing and theatre technology, as well as two elective choices in other areas of theatre. As a BFA in Theatre Performance student all of your major courses are in the Department of Theatre.

The BFA in Screen Acting degree is an interdisciplinary major offered jointly by the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and the Department of Theatre in the College of Performing Arts. The core curriculum focuses on film studies, including film history and film production skills (editing, directing, screenwriting) and offers opportunities to take two electives at the upper division level in either film or theatre. As a BFA Screen Acting student, approximately half of your required major classes are in the Department of Theatre and the other half are in the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

We highly recommend that prospective students review the curriculum of each program in the catalog prior to choosing their degree program for audition purposes.

The Office of Admission will determine if a student qualifies for an academic merit scholarship during the application review process. The Department of Theatre has a limited number of Talent Awards for incoming first-year and transfer students. Students must be listed as theatre majors on their admissions applications to be eligible for a Talent Award. Consideration for Talent Awards is made at the audition/interview and students are notified of these awards either with their financial aid package or shortly thereafter.

The Department of Theatre does not offer a theatre minor at this time. However, you may complete an interdisciplinary cluster (Theatre Technology for Cinematography) as part of the general education program.

BFA students participate in an assessment process in which the performance faculty members discuss with each student their progress in academics, acting training and meeting professional standards. Students who do not meet department standards in each area are given a remedial plan to address any issues. It is the goal of the faculty to work with each student so that they complete the BFA program successfully. There is no “cut” process but, in some instances, a student may be advised that another degree program may better meet their needs.

Yes. It is not difficult to pursue a double major with a B.A. degree. However, students in BFA programs may find it difficult to manage two full majors and complete both degrees in the traditional four-year period because of the sequential nature of the acting training and potential conflicts with required courses in their second major. While not impossible, it is not recommended that BFA students double major. BFA students who choose to double major may incur additional tuition fees and/or additional time beyond four years to complete both degrees. If you want to pursue a double major, please consult the department chair.

Department of Theatre productions (often referred to as main-stage productions) are open for casting to theatre and screen acting majors only so that students within the department have the opportunity to perform in productions and apply the acting techniques they are learning in their performance classes. Non-majors may become involved in backstage roles with the approval of the production manager. There are, however, many performing opportunities at Chapman through student organizations such as the Coalition of Artistic Students of Theatre, Chapman On Broadway, the Player’s Society, and other campus-wide student organizations.

Yes. Many of our majors are involved in various projects at Dodge College as actors and technicians. These range from being in scenes for directing classes to working on graduate thesis films. Casting at Dodge is open to all, and the department tries to facilitate opportunities by posting casting notices and letting theatre majors know about them. Just as in the industry, it helps for students to network with Dodge majors and find opportunities to be involved.

First-year theatre majors are not eligible to audition for fall main-stage productions as these shows are usually cast in the previous spring semester. Also, when beginning their education at the university level, students need time to become acclimated to the college environment and the expectations of the faculty and the university. Main-stage production rehearsals require a time commitment of five to eight weeks of evenings and weekend time in rehearsal and performance, and it is important that first-year students have time to experience all that is offered by the college experience and not be tied up for that length of time in their first semester. This process also provides first-year students with the opportunity to watch the main-stage productions and have an understanding of what the program is that they have entered.

First-year students may audition for spring shows and are eligible to audition for the fall College of Performing Arts Chapman Celebrates production (approximately a three-week time commitment). They may also audition for shows produced by student organizations. Many first-year students also get involved in student film projects, or in short scenes done by theatre directing students. There is rarely a lack of opportunities for those who wish to perform! Auditions for spring semester productions are in November and are open to all enrolled theatre majors.

The Department produces four main-stage shows each year plus a student-directed one-act festival in the spring.

The Coalition of Artistic Students of Theatre (CAST) is a student group that is affiliated with the Department. Membership is open to anyone on campus. The group organizes student run productions open to all students, and organizes other activities, including workshops and guest artists. They produce events such as the 24-Hour Play Festival, From the Ground Up (which produces original student works), Guerilla Shakespeare, and Beyond Stage (which does musical productions). There is also a student chapter of USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology), which organizes events and activities in technical theatre. Students can get involved in any number of student organizations, such as Chapman On Broadway or the Player’s Society. Film students at Dodge College hold open auditions for student projects ranging from short class projects to graduate thesis films.

Many students find connections with Chapman alumni through the department and others find opportunities within the community on their own. The College of Performing Arts Career Advisor can also be of great help in finding opportunities for internships in the entertainment industry. Faculty members can also help students network into professional opportunities. In addition, we have a bulletin board dedicated to informing students of the internship opportunities that are sent to us. Our students have held internships at a wide variety of entertainment companies and theatres across the United States from Sony Pictures and DreamWorks to Cirque du Soleil and Center Theatre Group.

The department does not have a mandate against professional work while enrolled at Chapman, however, there are strict class attendance policies in all theatre classes, and a student’s grades are affected by attendance. If a student misses classes often for professional work or auditions, they will be unable to meet the academic standards of their degree program. No excused absences are allowed for professional work. Students who have opportunities to work professionally while in school should consider taking a leave of absence to accommodate the work if such work interferes with their academic requirements. Students are also encouraged to use the academic breaks in winter and summer to work professionally.

» Frequently Asked Questions

What’s unique about the theatre program at Chapman?

How do I apply to the theatre program as a first-year student or transfer student?

Are the Theatre program auditions also used for admission to the BFA program(s)?

I'm not sure which degree program I want to pursue. Do I have to choose one now?

I auditioned for one degree program and was accepted, but I want to change to the another degree program in theatre. How do I do this?

Can transfer students audition directly into the BFA programs?

What is the difference between a BA and a BFA degree?

What is the difference between the BFA Screen Acting degree and the BFA Theatre Performance degree?

Are scholarships available for theatre students?

Is there a theatre minor?

Is there a jury process for the BFA degree programs?

Can theatre students double major?

Can non-majors be in Department shows?

Can theatre majors be in projects at Dodge College of Film and Media Studies?

Can first-year students be in the main-stage shows?

How many department main-stage productions are there each year?

What other performance or production opportunities are there for Chapman students, whether majors or non-majors?

Are there internship opportunities for theatre students?

Can a student work professionally while a theatre major?

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