Audition Requirements
for the Department of Theatre and Dance (Theatre)
University Admissions
• Admissions Requirements
• Admissions Deadlines
• International Admissions
• Cal State Apply
Other links:
• Admissions Check List
(First-time freshman)
•
Admissions Check List
(Undergraduate transfer students)
•
President's Scholars
• Housing
• Financial Aid
• Cost of Attending
If you have received an A.A. in theatre, this does not automatically qualify you for a BFA program. There are specific courses and skills required, and your transfer college might not offer those courses and/or skills. assist.org provides general education, (not degree-specific, requirements). All prerequisites must be met. For transfer equivalency evaluation, please contact the theatre department office.
BFA Entrance Auditions
BFA Acting, Devised/Physical Theatre and Musical Theatre - Fall 2026 Admission
Those wishing to pursue a BFA in Acting, Devised, or Musical Theatre must audition prior to entering the program and will be assessed in the areas of acting, voice, and movement.
The Prescreen Submission Link Will Be Emailed To You (Once The Following Criteria Are Met)
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You have applied to CSUF through Cal State Apply
.
- OR -
You currently attend CSUF, and have contacted the appropriate Prospective Student Advisor below to initiate your application.
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Your application has been processed by the Department of Theatre.
• It may take up to two weeks for the Department of Theatre to receive your Cal State Apply application.
• Once processed, you will start receiving emails from the Department of Theatre.
The Audition Sign-Up Link Will Be Emailed To You (Once The Following Criteria Are Met)
-
Prescreening requirements have been submitted and evaluated.
• Prescreening submission instructions will be emailed to applicants in areas requiring prescreening upon meeting the two criteria above.
• Prescreening results will be released beginning mid-December.
In-Person Callbacks will be taking place:
January 31, 2026
February 1, 2026
February 7, 2026
February 8, 2026
*Please note: if you are invited to our in-person auditions, you only need to attend on ONE date corresponding to the area that called you back.
Post Baccalaureate
Theatre Teaching Credential
(coming soon
)
Graduate Information: Acting, Directing, and Design & Technical Production
MFA Intent to Apply application
MFA Frequently Asked Questions
The MFA in Directing is also an alternate year program. Only one candidate is selected in this program. The next MFA directing candidate will begin study in Fall 2026, with selection beginning in Spring 2025. The MFA in Design and Production accepts a limited number of candidates each year. Selection for these programs is based on production books, portfolios and interviews. Design and Production faculty also attend the URTA National Unified Auditions and Interviews.
If you have not received email contact from the Department of Theatre or have any questions, please contact the Audition Coordinator.
Please see the appropriate "Areas of Study" concentration-specific pages for requirements, program structure/timing, and important information for transfer students.
Prescreen Requirements
BFA in Acting
-More information coming soon...
BFA in Devised Performance & Physical Theatre
1. One contemporary monologue (written after 1950) from a published play, 90-120 seconds in length.
Choose material that is happening in the present tense rather than “storytelling” material that is relaying something that happened in the past.
2. One "Wild Card" video no longer than 60 seconds demonstrating anything you want us to see – a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, etc. What do you want us to know about you?
BFA in Musical Theatre
-More information coming soon...
BA in Theatre
Preferred Transfer Courses:
Script Analysis
Intro to Acting
Intro Design (2 courses in the following)
Costumes
Lighting
Make-up/Hair
Scenic
Stagecraft
BFA in Acting
Second Year Placement - pending assessment
2 Beginning Acting courses
2 Voice and Movement courses
Script Analysis (preferred)
Third Year Placement - pending assessment
2 Beginning Acting courses
2 Intermediate Acting courses
2-4 Voice and Movement courses
Script Analysis (preferred)
BFA in Devised Performance & Physical Theatre
Second Year Placement - pending assessment
2 Beginning Acting courses
2 Voice and Movement courses
Script Analysis (preferred)
Third Year Placement - pending assessment
2 Beginning Acting courses
2 Intermediate Acting courses
2-4 Voice and Movement courses
Script Analysis (preferred)
BFA in Musical Theatre
Second Year Placement - pending assessment
2 Beginning Acting courses
2 Voice and Movement courses
Voice or Sight Reading
Ballet (preferred)
Tap (preferred)
Jazz (preferred)
Script Analysis (preferred)
Third Year Placement - pending assessment
2 Beginning Acting courses
2 Voice and Movement courses
2 Musical Theatre courses
Voice, Sight Reading
Ballet (preferred)
Tap (preferred)
Jazz (preferred)
Script Analysis (preferred)
Self-tape Tips
For all video submissions:
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Always shoot horizontally (or "landscape"), never vertically, when using a smartphone camera.
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CSUF prefers a three-quarter shot (showing roughly 3/4 of the body), but happily accepts close-up, 3/4, or full-body framing.
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Use a simple/neutral background, free of visual distractions, if possible.
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Make sure you can be seen and heard clearly. Avoid backlighting. Avoid loud spaces or white noise (like fans, A/C, etc.).
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If using transitions between videos, please use a simple "fade to black" (rather than "crossfade" or other styles).
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Use a single, clean take; do not edit any monologues or songs internally.
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Place your eye-line relatively close to the camera so that you are not in profile for long periods of time.
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And finally, remember that all of these tips are merely suggestions. Don't let them daunt you. Be creative, enjoy yourself, and let your joy for performing seep into your audition. That is, by far, the most important thing for us to see!
