The Theatre School > Conservatory > Undergraduate Conservatory > Acting > How to Apply

How to Apply

Prospective students must submit their online application and prescreen materials by December 1 in order to be considered for admission to the BFA Acting program. All callback auditions take place in-person in January and February. A student's transcript, letter of recommendation, and (optional) test scores must be received by February 1.

DECEMBER 1: Online Application

​The first step is to submit the online application. There is no application fee. Applicants receive a confirmation email and gain access to the DePaul Application Portal (Blue Demon Domain) within 24 hours after submitting the application. This portal will be used to upload prescreen materials, check the status of your application, and, in mid-March, receive your admissions decision.

DECEMBER 1: Prescreen Materials

Prescreen materials are submitted via the Blue Demon Domain, which applicants gain access to ~24 hours after submitting the online application. Please plan to submit your online application with enough time to gain access your portal and upload your materials before the deadline.

​Actors must submit their $50 audition fee, photograph (it does not need to be an official headshot), and prescreen video (should be a single video file) by December 1 in order to be considered for a callback audition. The prescreen video will contain the following:
  • A brief introduction - introduce your name and your two monologues, including the names of the characters, titles of the plays, and the playwrights.
  • Answer one of the following questions:
    • What are you reading? What book would you like to make into a play, movie, or TV show and why? (Please do not give a plot summary.)
    • What are you passionate about that has nothing to do with theatre or performance?
  • Your two monologues (each a minute long; one must be contemporary)
For more information about the prescreen and choosing monologues, please visit our audition page.

You will be notified of the prescreen result by email once your video has been reviewed. Students who receive a callback will need to complete a short questionnaire and register for an in-person callback audition.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY: Callback Audition

Once you pass the prescreen, you will need to complete a questionnaire (available on your Blue Demon Domain) and register for a callback audition.

The theatre student interview questionnaire consists of a couple short questions about your theatrical experience and interests, and helps us get to know you before working with you at your callback. 

Callback auditions take place in-person throughout January and February, both on-campus and in regional locations. Please visit our auditions & interviews page for this year's dates and locations. For more information about what to expect at the callback, visit our audition page.

FEBRUARY 1: Transcript, Letter of Recommendation, & Optional Test Scores

​Transcript: Have an official copy of your high school transcript mailed, emailed, or sent through Naviance to The Theatre School Admissions Office. Students who have taken college coursework will need to have their registrar's office send us their college transcripts. (Transfer students: if you have taken over 30 hours of college credit, you do not need to submit your high school transcript.)

Letter of Recommendation: Request one letter of recommendation from an individual who is familiar with your desire to attend The Theatre School, such as a teacher, director, or employer. They cannot be a family member or a personal friend. Your recommender may send us your letter by mail, email, or through Naviance or the Common Application.

Test Scores (optional for most applicants): You can choose to apply with or without SAT or ACT scores. If you choose to submit test scores and they do not appear on your transcript, request the testing agency forward a score report to DePaul. Our college code for ACT is 1012 and for SAT it is 1165. Learn more about applying test-optional. Homeschooled applicants can not apply as test-optional.

International applicants will need to provide Proof of English Proficiency and may need to provide word-for-word translations of their transcripts, if their official transcript is in a language other than English. Learn more about international admissions requirements.

The Theatre School admits a diverse acting pool and encourages applicants inclusive of all gender and sexual identities and expressions, including their intersection with racial and ethnic identities, as well as the multiplicity of identities in our ever-evolving society. For more information on how The Theatre School strives for equity, diversity, and inclusion, read our diversity action statement​.  

Application Status Check

Application materials can be mailed, emailed, sent electronically (via The Common Application, Naviance, etc.) or uploaded through your Blue Demon Domain. To check the status of your application materials, view the checklist on your Blue Demon Domain or call The Theatre School Admissions Office at (773) 325-7999. Please allow at least three weeks to process mailed materials. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all materials are received before the deadline.