The Theatre School > Admission > Auditions & Interviews

Auditions & Interviews

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​An audition or an interview (depending on your program) is required for admission to The Theatre School; students must submit an ap​​​plication to DePaul University (naming their intended major) before they can begin the audition or interview process. Registration is done online on a first come, first served basis and typically closes 5-6 days before the audition or interview is scheduled to take place. We encourage you to apply early in order to have the widest range of dates and times available to you. Do you have questions about what you'll need or what to expect? Visit our audition/interview FAQ!

 

Undergraduate (BFA) Applicants

BFA Interviews

Interviews are required for all BFA programs other than BFA Acting. All interviews take place in December, January, and early February. Exact times interviews vary by major due to faculty schedules; applicants must log into the interview registration page to see the specific dates/times available for their major. Interviews take place either in-person or virtually (Zoom); you must submit an application and certain application materials prior to registering for an interview.

Interview dates/times vary for each major because they are based on each faculty member's class and production schedule. A variety of dates and times are available from early December until early February each year for applicants to choose from. Fall 2024 applicants can log in to view the interview registration page to select a date/time to complete the admissions interview. Please note: the deadline to submit your application is February 1. Students who submit materials late (after the deadline) may be left with limited or no interview options as interviews conclude by mid-February. We strongly encourage you to submit your application and materials early in order to have the widest range of dates and times available to you. 

In-Person Interviews at The Theatre School (Chicago)

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Virtual Interviews

For virtual interviews, please follow this link to schedule a time based on your major.

1. Submit your application to DePaul University. Within about 24 hours, you will receive access to the Blue Demon Domain.

2. Upload your major-specific materials (listed below) and the interview fee to the Blue Demon Domain. You cannot register for an interview if these items are missing. (Stage Management applicants have additional requirements and must pass a prescreen.) For more information about application materials, please visit our undergraduate admissions page.

Comedy Arts - resume, writing sample, comedic performance video

Costume Design - resume, portfolio

Costume Technology - resume, portfolio

Dramaturgy/Criticism - resume, writing samples

Lighting Design - resume, portfolio

Playwriting - resume, writing sample

Projection Design - resume, portfolio

Scene Design - resume, portfolio

Sound Design - resume, portfolio

Stage Management - Applicants to the Stage Management program must submit all application materials (including a resume, portfolio, stage management essay, transcript, letters of recommendation, etc.) in order to be prescreened. Those who pass the prescreen will be invited to set up an interview.

Theatre Arts - resume, writing sample

Theatre Management - resume, writing sample

Theatre Technology - resume, portfolio

Wig and Makeup Design & Technology - resume, portfolio

3. Log in to our interview registration page and select a date/time for your interview.

BFA Auditions

The audition process for the BFA Acting program is done in two steps: a video prescreen and a live, group callback. Prescreens are due by December 1 and callback audition sessions occur in January and February. Callback auditions are offered in-person or virtually (Zoom); you must pass the video prescreen prior to registering for a callback audition.

The video prescreen will be due by December 1, 2023. Dates, times, and locations for callback auditions are listed below:

In-Person Auditions at The Theatre School (Chicago)

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Monday, February 5, 2024

Saturday, February 17, 2024

In-Person Regional Auditions (New York and Los Angeles)

Saturday, January 27, 2024 - New York City

Sunday, January 28, 2024 - New York City

Saturday, February 10, 2024 - Los Angeles

Virtual Auditions

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Saturday, January 27, 2024

1. Submit an online application to DePaul University, selecting BFA Acting as your intended major. This is due by December 1; it typically takes 24 hours for your application to reach us and for you to gain access to The Blue Demon Domain for step 2. Please plan accordingly.

2. Upload your audition fee, photograph, and prescreen video to the Blue Demon Domain. These items are due December 1.

3. It takes about two weeks for us to review your prescreen materials and notify you by email of your callback decision. If you have passed the prescreen, you will be emailed a link to the callback registration page. Select whichever date/time works best for you and we'll see you at your callback!

For more detailed information about the prescreen and callback, including what to prepare and what to expect, please click here.

 

Graduate (MFA) Applicants

MFA Acting

A​pplicants must submit their prescreen by December 15. Applicants who pass the prescreen are provided with a link to the MFA callback registration page and asked to register for a callback audition. Callback auditions typically take place in January and early February and are offered in both in-person and virtual (Zoom) formats. For more information about what your prescreen must include and what to expect at the callback audition, please visit our MFA Acting audition page.

In-Person Auditions at The Theatre School (Chicago)

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Saturday, February 17, 2024

In-Person Regional Auditions (New York)

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Virtual Auditions

Saturday, January 13, 2024

MFA Arts Leadership

Arts Leadership applicants must submit all application materials by February 1. Decisions about finalist interviews are communicated by email and finalist interviews typically take place in mid-to-late March. For more information about the application process, click here.

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