Theater

Acting Application Information

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Deadlines

Bachelor of Fine Arts: First-Year Applicants

What is a first-year applicant?
Fall Admission Only

Early Action Deadlines

Rutgers University Application: November 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: November 15
Virtual Audition Date: December 8, 2025
Decision posted by: January 31
**Early action applicants must complete a virtual audition on the above date. On-campus auditions are not possible for early action**

Regular Action Deadlines

Rutgers University Application: December 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: January 15
Decision posted by: April 1

Bachelor of Fine Arts: External Transfer Applicants

What is an external transfer applicant?
Fall Admission Only

Early Action Deadlines

Rutgers University Application: November 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: November 15
Virtual Audition Date: December 8, 2025
Decision posted by: January 31
**Early action applicants must complete a virtual audition on the above date. On-campus auditions are not possible for early action**

Regular Action Deadlines

Rutgers University Application: December 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: January 15
Decision posted by: April 1

Bachelor of Fine Arts: Current or Former Rutgers Students

Fall Semester Deadlines

Complete the MGSA School to School Transfer/Re-Enrollment Interest Form by January 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: January 15
Decision: June 30

To Apply

Students currently enrolled at another academic unit within Rutgers University (School to School Transfer) OR have taken a leave of absence (Re-Enrollment) from any Rutgers academic unit and would like to return and enroll in a BFA degree program at the Mason Gross School of the Arts must first complete the MGSA School to School Transfer/Re-Enrollment Interest Form. You will receive a personalized link to the Talent Assessment one to three business days after submitting the form. Learn more at Mason Gross Admissions.

School-to-School Transfer/Re-Enrollment Interest Form

Admissions Requirements

From another Rutgers–New Brunswick school:

  • 12 graded degree credits, excluding remedial courses
  • A Rutgers cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.000
  • Expository Writing (01:355:101) or an acceptable equivalent course with a grade of C or better

From another Rutgers–Camden or Rutgers–Newark school:

  • At least two semesters, including the current semester, as a student in your present school or college at Rutgers University, also including at least 12 graded degree credits, excluding remedial courses
  • A Rutgers cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.000
  • English Composition I and II (Camden 50:350:101 and 50:350:102) (Newark 21:355:101 and 21:355:102) with grades of C or better
  •  
Bachelor of Arts and Minor in Theater

Currently enrolled Rutgers School of Arts and Science students are welcome to declare the bachelor of arts in theater or the minor in theater, with no audition required. Email theater undergraduate advisor Marshall Jones for more information. 

Rutgers University Application

First-year applicants must either complete and submit the Rutgers University Application or apply to Rutgers University on the Common Application. External applicants (never attended Rutgers before) must complete and submit the Rutgers University Application and may not apply on the Common Application. For instructions and additional requirements please click on the following link: https://admissions.rutgers.edu/apply

Required University App Credentials

Optional University App Credentials

  • SAT (code 2765)
  • ACT (code 2592)

Mason Gross Talent Assessment

All applicants to the acting program will be required to submit the following applicants to the acting program will be required to submit the following:

  • $45 audition fee (waived for students who qualify for a need-based university fee waiver)
  • Acting questionnaire
  • Resume
  • Photograph (this does not have to be a professional headshot)
  • Audition selection date

A unique link and a temporary pin to complete the Talent Assessment will be emailed to you upon submission of your Rutgers application or Common App.

Audition & Interview Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to present two 1 to 1.5-minute contrasting monologues. Applicants can choose to present one contemporary piece and one classical piece OR two contemporary pieces (contemporary pieces should be from plays written after the year 2000, nothing prior). The monologue selections should come from published plays (not television episodes, films, books, unpublished texts or personal writings). Please come prepared with at least two additional pieces, as they may be requested during the audition. The audition will also include a short interview. The entire process will last approximately 10 minutes.

Guidelines for Selecting Materials

Do not select monologues from these Plays:

  1. Red
  2. The Rehearsal
  3. Prodigal Son
  4. Our Town
  5. Fences
  6. Puffs
  7. Laramie Project
  8. Almost Maine
  9. Angels in America
  10. She Kills Monsters
  11. Oleana
  12. Death of a Salesman
  13. Fleabag
  14. Chewing Gum Dreams
  15. Sylvia
  16. I hate Hamlet
  17. Reasons to be Pretty
  18. Goodbye Charles
  19. *The character of Lady Macbeth from Macbeth.

When selecting material avoid the following:

  1. No pieces that are cut together from a scene (including classic plays).
  2. No pieces about being an actor.
  3. Strongly advise against pieces where you are a tour guide, ranting or forced to mime.
  4. No pieces from Musicals, TV Shows, or Films.
  5. Don’t play an entire scene.
  6. No accents.
  7. Nothing from monologue books.
    1. Published plays only.
    2. (One act plays or full length plays only).
    3. No stand-up routines.

Be sure to:

  1. Read the play.
  2. Have an understanding of the moment in which the character is speaking.
  3. Memorize the piece and be prepared to take an adjustment.
  4. Rehearse.
  5. Be mindful of the requirements for length of pieces.

Acting Questionnaire 

Answer all three prompts. These prompts can be answered as a written essay of 650 words or less, OR a spoken as a video essay of maximum 2 minutes.

  1. What do you intend to use your career as an artist to do? What impact do you intend to have on your community, the world?
  2. Imagine you are performing a one-person performance. What would your show be about? Who would be your target audience?
  3. A “beloved community” is defined by a commitment to working together to embody, reflect, and respect the complexities of all our parts. In its simplest terms it’s a university culture where every action, intention, event, and communication is grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please share how you, or your artistry, creativity and/or talent reflect this value.

Audition Dates

All applicants to the acting program will be scheduled for a live, in-person audition or a scheduled Zoom audition. We do not prescreen. On the Talent Assessment, applicants will select their preferred audition. Audition dates fill on a first-come, first-served basis.

ON CAMPUS – New Brunswick, NJ

  • Saturday, January 31, 2026
  • Saturday, February 14, 2026

REGIONAL – New York City – Ripley Grier Studios

  • Saturday, January 24, 2026
  • Sunday, January 25, 2026

REGIONAL – Chicago – Hyatt Regency Chicago

  • Tuesday, February 2, 2026
  • Wednesday, February 3, 2026

VIRTUAL – on a virtual platform like Zoom

  • Monday, December 8, 2025 (early action date)
  • Sunday, February 1, 2026
  • Sunday, February 15, 2026

Learn about the Acting program

Learn about the BA and Minor programs