BFA Entrance Auditions
BFA Acting, Devised/Physical Theatre and Musical Theatre - Fall 2027 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 emailed Theatre Admissions that you are interested in auditioning 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:
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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. Results will be released beginning mid-December.
In-Person Callbacks (TBD)
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.
BFA in Acting
- One contemporary monologue (written after 1950) from a published play, 60-90 seconds in length.
- One shorter monologue using heightened language (such as a sonnet or classical monologue), roughly 60 seconds in length.
BFA in Devised Performance & Physical Theatre
- One contemporary monologue (written after 1950) from a published play, 60-90 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.
- 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
- One contemporary monologue (written after 1950) from a published play, 60-90 seconds in length.
- Two contrasting songs in any genre that best demonstrates your voice (pop, contemporary musical, golden age musical, etc.).
- One musical theater song from any time period.
- One song of your choice from any time period and in any style that best suits you (musical theater, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.). This song should contrast the style of the first selection.
NOTE: Each song file should be 60-90 seconds.
Accompaniment:
Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (without music).
Please include at least one turn, one jump and one kick (or other suitable rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body). Show us your best version of dancing or moving.
- Preferred: no barre work.
- CSUF prefers using a pirouette turn, if possible.
- Make sure you can execute all the choreography well. It is to your advantage to choose steps and movement that highlight your strengths instead of your areas of improvement.
- You may use recent videos of you from a show or concert, but it must just be you in the frame.
- Dance sample should be in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident. This may include, but is not limited to jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or dance styles beyond American and Euro-western styles.
- Dance media can be “self-choreographed”, but it must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
- Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well. Fully move your body to the best of your ability.
To assist applicants with the dance prescreen, several institutions provided the following resource videos for applicants who do not have access to a choreographed combo for the prescreen process. You may submit this choreography (or a combination of it) to any of the schools you are applying to that ask for a dance prescreen.
This list will be updated as more institutions share resources.
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- OPTIONAL: One “Wild Card” video – Think of the wild card section as an opportunity to show your personality or share something about you. This media can be ANYTHING you want (a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, etc). Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
Below is a list of ideas that have been successful in the past.
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- Singing a pop song
- Singing or playing an original composition/song/poem or choreographed dance.
- Performing your own Saturday Night Live-styled skit where you create a comedic character
- Sharing a hobby or activity that means something to you
- Performing in a language other than English in which you are fluent
- Playing an instrument
- Making a “how-to” video on something you are good at, baking, calligraphy, gymnastics.
- If you are a dancer and want to show us a different style you excel in: Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet, etc.
Labeling Guidelines
Title of Song – Musical/Show – Your First & Last Name
Title of Play – Playwright – Your First & Last Name
