Admission
Undergraduate Requirements

How To Apply

NOTE: Admission to the undergraduate John Wells Directing Program has been paused for Fall 2024.

Both the Common Application and a Supplementary Material Application are required for all School of Drama undergraduate programs.

The Common Application opens on August 1 and is due for Drama programs on DECEMBER 1. Please visit http://www.commonapp.org to submit the Common Application online.

Supplementary Material Applications should be submitted through Acceptd (https://app.getacceptd.com/cmudrama) for Acting, Acting/Music Theater, and Design/Production applicants. The Acceptd application opens September 1 and is due on DECEMBER 1. Supplementary Material Applications for Dramaturgy should be emailed to sshechtm@andrew.cmu.edu by DECEMBER 1.

Pre-screening videos are required for Acting and Acting/Music Theater. Pre-screening portfolios are required for Design/Production. You must complete this pre-screening process in order to be invited to audition or interview.

Please scroll for details on preparing for your undergraduate Audition or Interview. For questions, please email sshechtm@andrew.cmu.edu.

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Scheduling Your Audition or Interview


Registration for audition and interview dates and appointment times will be available this fall through our Acceptd portal. We honor these appointments by invitation only following the pre-screening process on a first-come, first-serve basis, for Carnegie Mellon applicants only.

Students applying Early Decision for Design/Production will receive an update on the status of their pre-screening application by November 3. Early Decision Interviews will be held shortly after. A specific date will be released by mid-October.

The School of Drama will hold all invited interviews virtually for Fall 2024 admission. Design/Production interviews will occur on Fridays and Saturdays in January and February with specific dates posted in mid-December. Dramaturgy interviews will occur in February.

The School of Drama will offer EITHER virtual OR in-person auditions for Acting and Acting/Music Theater for Fall 2024 admission. Applicants who successfully pass the pre-screening application will receive an invitation to select whichever option (virtual or in-person) works best for them. In person auditions will be held in Pittsburgh, New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles in January and February. Specific schedules with availability will show within an invited applicant's Acceptd account.


» Visit our Acceptd site

Please note: We cannot accommodate walk-in auditions/interviews.

Tour and Visits


The School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University offers in-depth tours of the Purnell Center for the Arts for students and their families interested in learning more about the university and school. Pre-registration is required.Click here for more information.

Virtual Tour

A Virtual Tour of the School of Drama facilities is available here.

Financial Resources

Application Fee Waivers

Application fee waivers can be obtained by contacting Acceptd at support@getacceptd.com for students who meet one of the indicators of economic need as outlined on the Common Application:
  • I’ve received or am eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver.
  • I’m enrolled in or am eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL).
  • My annual family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
  • I’m enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).
  • My family receives public assistance.
  • I live in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home or am homeless.
  • I’m a ward of the state or an orphan.
  • I can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.

  • Carnegie Mellon University Financial Aid

    No matter what your situation, a Carnegie Mellon education can be surprisingly affordable.
    Visit CMU's Aid & Affordability page to learn more.

    If you’re a US citizen or permanent resident, the FAFSA is required to be considered for federal and state financial aid programs. The CSS PROFILE, along with the FAFSA, is required to be considered for all institutional grant and scholarship programs. Regardless of need, we encourage you to complete these documents in order to be considered for any type of funding. Follow instructions from the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Deadline: February 15.

    Preparing for Your Undergraduate Audition or Interview

    Acting

    Applicants to the School of Drama's Acting Option must fulfill the pre-screening, then the audition requirement, which is the main basis for admission to the program.

    All applicants interested in auditioning for both the Music Theater and Acting Options should submit a pre-screening for the Music Theater Option. This one pre-screening will be sufficient to address the needs and requirements of both programs.

    Acceptd has gathered some Tips & Tricks in putting together your pre-screening videos which can be found here under "MTCP Resources & Tips for Applicants" near the bottom of the page.

    PRE-SCREENING GUIDELINES:

    Visit Acceptd to upload the following between SEPTEMBER 1 and DECEMBER 1:
  • Resume including any training and experience in theater, film, music and dance as well as academic achievements, work experience and community service.
  • Headshot
  • Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc).
  • There should not be a separate "slate" video, rather slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.

  • PRE-SCREENING MONOLOGUES
  • Two (2) contrasting monologues each 60-90 seconds in length (see below)
  • One (1) Contemporary (written after 1950); Contemporary monologues should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
  • One (1) Classical (written before 1950); Classical monologues should be filmed in a “full body” shot which means the top of the head to the feet on the floor should be visible in the frame.

  • Pre-Screenings are required for Acting. You must complete this pre-screening process in order to be invited to audition. The School of Drama will release the modality and schedule for invited auditions by November 1. If you are invited, you will register for your audition at getacceptd.com/cmudrama. We cannot accommodate “walk-ins.”

    AUDITION GUIDELINES:
  • Perform two, contrasting monologues. These can be the same as your pre-screening monologues or different.
  • One classical monologue from a play written before 1950 with an emphasis on heightened language.
  • One contemporary piece written after 1950.
  • Each monologue should be 60-90 seconds in length.
  • Each monologue should be within your natural age range (teens and 20s).
  • Be sure to read the entire play the monologue is excerpted from so you are able to demonstrate an understanding of the character and situation.
  • You may use hand props, but not costumes.
  • Be prepared to perform a third monologue if asked.


  • Music Theater

    Applicants to the School of Drama's Music Theater Option must fulfill the pre-screening, then the audition requirement, which is the main basis for admission to the program.

    All applicants interested in auditioning for both the Music Theater and Acting Options should submit a pre-screeing for the Music Theater Option. This one pre-screening will be sufficient to address the needs and requirements of both programs. We participate in the Musical Theater Common Pre-Screen Requirements for songs and monologues. We do not accept the Wildcard or Dance pre-screening selections.

    Acceptd has gathered some Tips & Tricks in putting together your pre-screening videos which can be found here under "MTCP Resources & Tips for Applicants" near the bottom of the page.

    PRE-SCREENING GUIDELINES:
    Visit Acceptd to upload the following between SEPTEMBER 1 and DECEMBER 1:
  • Resume including any training and experience in theater, film, music and dance as well as academic achievements, work experience and community service.
  • Headshot
  • Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc).
  • There should not be a separate "slate" video, rather slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece. The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the title, and the show in which it appears. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.

  • PRE-SCREENING MONOLOGUES
  • Monologues must be from a published play
  • Monologues cannot be from musicals
  • Each monologue file should be 60-90 seconds in length (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)

  • Musical Theater Common Prescreening Monologues OPTION B:
  • Two (2) contrasting monologues each 60-90 seconds in length (see below)
  • One (1) Contemporary (written after 1950); Contemporary monologues should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
  • One (1) Classical (written before 1950); Classical monologues should be filmed in a “full body” shot which means the top of the head to the feet on the floor should be visible in the frame.

  • Pre-Screenings are required for Acting. You must complete this pre-screening process in order to be invited to audition. The School of Drama will release the modality and schedule for invited auditions by November 1. If you are invited, you will register for your audition at getacceptd.com/cmudrama. We cannot accommodate “walk-ins".

    PRE-SCREENING SONGS
  • Students should prepare 2 contrasting pieces: One song should be a ballad and one song should be an uptempo..
  • Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
  • Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning singing without music).
  • Songs should be filmed in a ¾ shot which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.

  • Musical Theater Common Prescreening Songs OPTION A:
  • One song should be written before 1970. This song can be either the uptempo or the ballad (student's choice).
  • One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.

  • Pre-Screenings are required for Music Theater. You must complete this pre-screening process in order to be invited to audition. The School of Drama will release the modality and schedule for invited auditions by November 1. If you are invited, you will register for your audition at getacceptd.com/cmudrama. We cannot accommodate “walk-ins".

    AUDITION GUIDELINES
  • Perform two, contrasting monologues. These can be the same as your pre-screening monologues or different.
  • One classical monologue from a play written before 1950 with an emphasis on heightened language.
  • One contemporary piece written after 1950.
  • Each monologue should be 60-90 seconds in length.
  • Each monologue should be within your natural age range (teens and 20s).
  • Be sure to read the entire play the monologue is excerpted from so you are able to demonstrate an understanding of the character and situation.
  • You may use hand props, but not costumes.
  • Be prepared to perform a third monologue if asked.

  • In addition to the monologue requirements, you must perform two contrasting songs approximately one minute in length.
  • One song should be written before 1970. This song can be either the uptempo or the ballad (student's choice).
  • One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
  • Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning singing without music).


  • Design / Production Technology & Management

    Applicants to Design and Production Technology & Management programs must have some practical experience in theater and be able to demonstrate basic proficiency in design, project planning and execution by submitting a portfolio for pre-screening review. The portfolio should include about 15 items of work in several media and techniques as well as a resume or CV. Not all samples of work have to pertain to theater.

    Pre-screening portfolios are required for Design/Production. You must complete this pre-screening process in order to be invited to a live virtual interview. Watch this video for tips and tricks on assembling your portfolio!

    INTERVIEW GUIDELINES

    Provide 15 examples of work which could include:
  • Use of color, line drawing, painting
  • Drafting, mechanical drawing
  • Photography, including photographs of your productions
  • Models, costume pieces, masks
  • Sculpture or installation art
  • Sound cues or recordings containing original recordings or music (no more than five and no more than one minute in length each)
  • Video or media files containing original work (no more than five and no more than two minutes in length each)
  • Plots, ground plans, elevations and other production paperwork you may have produced for a show
  • Paperwork developed for schedules, reports, budgets, estimates, etc.
  • Photos of work both finished and in process


  • Dramaturgy

    The Dramaturgy program provides a rigorous academic and artistic training sequence, emphasizing criticism, history, and practical skills. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the necessary research and writing skills to succeed in this environment. The following items should be submitted to sshechtm@andrew.cmu.edu in PDF form with your name and Common Application ID number by DECEMBER 1:

    • Resumé or curriculum vitae
    • A brief (less than 750 word) letter that addresses the question: "Why are you interested in studying dramaturgy, and what experience do you bring to the area of study?"
    • Two (2) letters of recommendation from sources familiar with your research and writing skills. Please note letters of recommendation should be submitted with your Common Application.
    • Two (2) samples of original argumentative writing that are approximately 1,000 words each. These writing samples should demonstrate your ability to use evidence to support a thesis: e.g., an analysis of a work of literature or art or of an event in history. You should feel free to submit work that was written for a recent high school- or college-level humanities course.
    • There is no in-person interview required, but the School of Drama faculty may contact applicants via phone or email to obtain further information after January 18.


    The John Wells Directing Program

    Admission to the undergraduate John Wells Directing Program has been paused for Fall 2024.