Undergraduate Admissions to the Department of Theatre & Dance
1. Apply to the University
Complete and submit the University application for undergraduate admission. After submitting the Belmont University application for undergraduate admission, applicants will receive an email to register for an audition or submit an online portfolio.
2. Register for an Audition
The BFA* programs in the Department of Theatre require an audition or portfolio submission. The audition or portfolio submission determine admissibility into the Department of Theatre, which is separate from the University admission decision. Upon a completed application to the University, the student will receive an audition registration e-mail.
*Applicants pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Theatre Minor, Film Acting Minor, and Dance Minor are not required to audition.
Register for an In Person Theatre Audition
Watch the video below to learn how to register for an in person Theatre audition:
In Person Audition Registration Video
In Person Audition Dates:
November 13
January 22
February 5
February 26
Register for a Theatre Video Audition
Watch the video below to learn how to register for a Theatre video audition:
Video Audition Registration Video
Video auditions and portfolios are submitted via an online platform for auditions called Acceptd. The video audition is a pre-recorded video submission, not live. Specific instructions for the video audition or portfolio submission will be sent to the applicant's email address (as provided on the application) once the student applies to Belmont. All video auditions must include audio and video.
How to submit a portfolio: If your program requires a portfolio, you will submit your portfolio via a link in the audition registration e-mail.
Video Audition Deadlines
Video auditions are accepted on a rolling basis for admission to the Department of Theatre & Dance through May 15, 2022.
To be considered for Department of Theatre & Dance scholarship, please submit a video audition before November 14, 2021 (for December notification) or before February 6, 2022 (for March notification).
Transfer student deadline for video submission is November 14, 2021 for spring 2022 entry and July 1, 2022 for fall 2022 entry.
First-year student deadline for spring 2022 entry is November 14, 2021.
What to Prepare
Candidates for the BFA participate in three important processes during the audition for the Department of Theatre and Dance:
- Performance Audition or Portfolio Review (dependent upon emphasis area of choice)
- Resume
- Opportunity to Meet with a Faculty Member
- Performance Audition
- The Performance Audition should consist of two contrasting monologues, not to exceed 3 minutes in the total time of presentation, prepared in advance by the candidate. You are required to perform the monologues from memory.
- The audition is your time to demonstrate your ability and understanding of the craft of acting. Belmont theatre faculty observe your audition monologues and make careful assessments about your current level of skill as well as your ability to take direction and adapt your performance. We encourage you to take great care in choosing your two monologues for your audition. Choose monologues that best represent your talents and abilities.
- Portfolio Review
- A portfolio for Production Design emphasis should include representative work of design, and/or technical experience. Your portfolio should contain any combination of drawings, renderings, drafting examples, CAD drawings, light plots and/or photographs.
- A portfolio for Directing emphasis should include any theatre work especially anything related to directing, assistant directing, stage management or production management. Your portfolio should contain any combination of directing books, research, prompt books, directing or management paperwork, designs, drawings, production photos or any other theatre-related materials.
- A portfolio for Theatre Education emphasis should include any theatre work especially anything related to education, directing, assistant directing, design, stage management or production management. Your portfolio should contain any combination of education curriculum packages, directing books, research, prompt books, directing or management paperwork, designs, drawings, production photos or any other theatre-related materials.
- Resume
- Meet with a Faculty Member
Performance Auditions are required for candidates for admission to the BFA in Theatre with an emphasis in Performance.
Portfolio Reviews are required for candidates for admission to the BFA in Theatre with an emphasis in Production Design, Directing and Theatre Education.
In addition to a Performance audition or Portfolio review, please provide a resume, including a headshot or photo. All BFA candidates’ resumes should include all previous entertainment experience including, but not limited to: pertinent theatrical experience from high school, community theatre, professional theatre, experience in film and/or television and other arts-related work.
BFA candidates will have the opportunity to meet with a faculty member in the chosen area of emphasis during the in person audition or via telephone or Zoom if submitting the video audition. This conversation focuses on your previous experience, your expectations for your college education and your goals for the future.
3. Receive the Admissions Decision
Applicants will be mailed a decision letter 3-4 weeks after the audition or portfolio review (dependent on acceptance to the University).
4. Accept the Offer of Admission
When you have made the decision to attend Belmont, pay the Enrollment Deposit by the May 1 National Reply Date (December 1 for Spring applicants).
Information about the Enrollment Deposit is included in the University admissions acceptance letter.
5. Register for New Student Orientation
Create your MyBelmont account and register for Summer Orientation.