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
CSUF Slate
1. Record one introduction "slate" video stating your name. If you would like to include your pronouns, state them as well. Please speak loudly (project your voice) and clearly (articulate) directly at the camera. This is an opportunity for the auditors to get a sense of your personality and to learn the pronunciation of your name.
2. There is no need to slate your individual performance videos & pieces. Instead, clearly label each video with your name and the title of the piece you are performing (see more details below).
3. This slate video should be no longer than 10 seconds.
BFA in Acting
BFA in Devised Performance & Physical Theatre
1. 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.
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
- 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, so be sure to check back.
- 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.
- Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
Labeling Guidelines
Title of Song – Musical/Show – Your First & Last Name
Title of Play – Playwright – Your First & Last Name
Instructions for Uploading Your Prescreening Video(s) to YouTube
Please follow these steps to upload your video(s) and share them privately using a link.
Step 1: Prepare Your Video(s)
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Make sure each video follows the required format, content, and length guidelines.
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Save your video(s) in a common file format such as
.mp4or.mov. -
Important: If your prescreening includes multiple requirements (such as different pieces, songs, or monologues),
each requirement must be uploaded as a separate video.
This helps reviewers access and evaluate each part of your submission more easily.
Step 2: Sign in to YouTube
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Visit https://www.youtube.com
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Click “Sign in” in the upper right corner.
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Log in with a Google (Gmail) account. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create one.
Step 3: Upload the Video
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Click the camera icon with a "+" (usually located in the top right).
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Select “Upload video.”
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Follow the prompts to choose and upload your video file.
Repeat this process for each video requirement.
Step 4: Add a Title and Description
For each video:
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Title: Include your full name and the specific content of the video
(e.g., Jane Smith – Contemporary Monologue or John Doe – Classical Song). -
Description: You may include relevant information such as the title of the piece, composer/playwright, or any other required details.
Step 5: Set the Visibility to “Unlisted”
When prompted to choose the video’s visibility:
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Select “Unlisted”
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This setting means only people who have the link can view the video.
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The video will not appear in search results or on your public channel.
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Do not choose “Private.” If the video is private, reviewers will not be able to view it, even if you share the link.
Step 6: Save and Copy the Link
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Click “Save” or “Publish” to finish uploading.
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You will be given a direct link to your video.
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Copy and save this link.
Repeat this step for each video, and make sure you keep track of which link corresponds to each requirement.
Final Step: Submit Your Links
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Submit each individual video link according to the instructions provided with your application.
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Be sure to clearly label each link (e.g., Contemporary Monologue, Classical Song, Dance Piece).
Additional Reminders
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Test each link to make sure it works (you can use a private/incognito browser window).
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Do not delete or change the visibility of your videos until after the review process is complete.
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Upload early to allow time for troubleshooting if needed.
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)
