Theater Audition Information

All students applying to the theater arts department at Mason Gross School of the Arts must complete an audition or schedule an interview.

**A non-refundable audition/interview fee made payable by check, cash or money order (in addition to the university’s standard application fee) is required at the time of your audition/interview.  Payment should be made to Rutgers University and is due no later than the time of the appointment.   Please refer to the audition requirements below for the specific amount due for your major. 

Auditions are held at Mason Gross School of the Arts and at regional locations throughout the united states. Audition dates can be found here: Audition/Interview Dates

It is highly encouraged to submit a complete application to Rutgers University before scheduling your audition. After your application is received, you will receive a letter from the Theater Arts Department with information on how to schedule your audition at the Rutgers campus or on our National Audition Tour.

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UNDERGRADUATE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS | GRADUATE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

UNDERGRADUATE

ACTING | DESIGN | PRODUCTION

 

ACTING (Undergraduate)

**INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR AUDITION WILL BE EMAILED ONCE THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES YOUR APPLICATION FROM ADMISSIONS.  - please note that it can take up to 5 business days for the department to process you application, so please be patient.  

If you are planning to audition at the Rutgers New Brunswick campus, we suggest you submit your application to Rutgers University prior to scheduling an audition.  After you do so, you will receive a letter from the Theater Arts Department with information on how to schedule your audition at the Rutgers campus or on our National Audition Tour.

Please prepare the following for your scheduled audition:

  • A $55.00 non-refundable audition fee.  (This fee is in addition to the university’s standard application fee.)
  • Audition:  Actors must present two contrasting monologues, one classical and one contemporary.  They should be memorized.  The combined total of both monologues may not exceed 4 minutes. **Also, you must be prepared to sing 16 bars of a song, a cappella (no accompaniment).
  • Resume and a head shot or a picture.
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DESIGN (Undergraduate)

**INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR INTERVIEW WILL BE EMAILED ONCE THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES YOUR APPLICATION FROM ADMISSIONS.  - please note that it can take up to 5 business days for the department to process you application, so please be patient.  

We suggest you submit your application to Rutgers University prior to January 15, 2011.  After you do so, you will receive a letter from the Theater Arts Department, that includes information on how to then schedule your interview.Please prepare the following for your scheduled interview:

  • Resume
  • $55.00 non-refundable interview fee. (This fee is in addition to the university’s standard application fee.)
  • Portfolio Presentation and Interview Requirements
    • As an applicant, you must bring examples of any artwork and drawings you may have done for classes, on your own, for the school paper, etc.  These drawings do not have to pertain to theater.  Photographs of shows or craft projects are also helpful.  The portfolio should be presented in a manila folder or portfolio case.  (Inexpensive cardboard portfolios are available in most area supply stores.) 
    • Please note:  It is not possible to interview candidates for the BFA design program who do not present a portfolio.
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 PRODUCTION (Undergraduate)

**INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR INTERVIEW WILL BE EMAILED ONCE THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES YOUR APPLICATION FROM ADMISSIONS.  - please note that it can take up to 5 business days for the department to process you application, so please be patient.  

 

We strongly encourage you to submit your application to Rutgers University prior to scheduling an interview.  After you do so, you will receive a letter from the Theater Arts Department with information on how to schedule your interview.Please prepare the following for your scheduled interview:

  • Resume
  • $55.00 non-refundable interview fee. (This fee is in addition to the university’s standard application fee.)
  • What to bring to your interview: Prompt books, designs, drafting, drawings, examples of your work in theater (photos of productions, construction or craft projects; programs or posters that you designed) and any other material that shows your background and interest in theater.  Please do not include programs in which your name appears.  That information should go on your resume. 
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GRADUATE

ACTING | DIRECTING | PLAYWRITING | DESIGN | STAGE MANAGEMENT

ACTING (Graduate)

**INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR AUDITION WILL BE EMAILED ONCE THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES YOUR APPLICATION FROM ADMISSIONS.  - please note that it can take up to 5 business days for the department to process you application, so please be patient.  

If you are planning to audition at the Rutgers New Brunswick campus, we suggest you submit your application to Rutgers University prior to scheduling an audition.  After you do so, you will receive a letter from the Theater Arts Department with information on how to schedule your audition at the Rutgers campus oron our National Audition Tour.

  • There is a $55.00 non-refundable audition fee for all acting applicants.  (This fee is in addition to the university’s standard application fee.)
  • Audition:  Actors should present two monologues, one classical and one contemporary.  They should be memorized.  The combined total of both monologues may not exceed 4 minutes.
  • Resume and a head shot
  • For all who audition:please note that in order for a decision to be rendered, you must have completed an application to the Graduate Acting program. You can do so online at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu.
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DIRECTING (Graduate)

  • Interview:  Following an initial review of the application packet, the Theater Arts Department will call selected  applicants to schedule an interview.
  • If you are asked to interview, there is a $55.00 non-refundable talent assessment fee.  (This fee in addition to the university’s standard application fee.)
  • Resume and a head shot.
  • 3.25 GPA
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PLAYWRITING (Graduate)

  • Submit your application to Rutgers University by March 1, 2011. 
  • $55.00 non-refundable interview fee.  (This fee is in addition to the university’s standard application fee.)
  • Resume
  • Material: Two writing samples, one full-length play and one short play if possible
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DESIGN (Graduate)

  • Submit your application to Rutgers University by March 1, 2011. 
  • $55.00 non-refundable interview fee.  (This fee is in addition to the university’s standard application fee.)
  • Resume
  • Portfolio:  A representative portfolio of production and classroom design in your specific area (sets, costumes, lights).
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STAGE MANAGEMENT (Graduate)

  • Submit your application to Rutgers University prior to March 1, 2011. 
  • $55.00 non-refundable interview fee.  (This fee is in addition to the university’s standard application fee.)
  • Resume
  • Interview Material:  Applicants should bring materials representative of your background and interest in theater, such as prompt books, photographs of crafts, shows or construction projects, drafting etc.
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