FAQs - Theatre | Point Park University

Frequently asked questions about the theatre department and audition process

Describe the B.F.A. degrees

These intensive degree programs reflect the efforts of our faculty to address the best possible training for each student: training that connects classical conservatory foundations and a forward-thinking contemporary theatre world.

Our revised B.F.A. degrees in theatre production immerse students right away into the backstage operations, design studios, stage-management and apprenticeships in the various shops: scenic, properties, costume, audio, etc. With 18 annual productions, discipline-focused assignments, faculty advisement and mentoring, and a rich variety of hands-on experience, production students are poised to enter the theatrical workforce upon (and in some cases, before) graduation.

Our revised B.F.A. in acting builds upon our historically strong program and excellent reputation in the industry for providing a strong foundation in acting, voice and speech, and movement techniques by adding studio sequences beginning in the second year for more advanced acting studies, along with requirements in improvisation for the actor, acting for the camera, and professional preparation, among other courses, and a New York City showcase.

As in the B.F.A. in acting, our revised B.F.A. in musical theatre takes an already strong program with an excellent reputation in the industry and adds rigor with the addition of a repertoire course, extended music theory, ensemble singing, a third-year lab for advanced musical theatre techniques, and revised dance courses, among other courses, and a New York City showcase. All B.F.A. performance students will be assessed regularly by faculty and receive feedback and consultation as they prepare for a professional career in theatre.

Our new B.F.A. in theatre arts is a flexible program that offers three years of demanding performance study and theatre making, including sequences in acting, voice, speech and movement, and theatre history, text analysis, devised performance, ensemble labs, and production (crew), among other requirements. Students may self-design beginning in either the second or third year with an exciting variety of concentrations and/or, minors, double majors and study abroad opportunities. Some of the possible minors and double majors include dance, musical theatre, cinema, business management, psychology, stage-management, and theatre design, among many others. Disciplined students are able to complete this degree in three years, or in four years, depending on the requirements in their chosen minors, double major, etc. The dazzling variety of courses, minors and double majors at Point Park allow students to cultivate intellectual and scholarly interests, in addition to receiving rigorous performance training.

How many people audition and are admitted into the theatre program each year?

The number of students who audition fluctuates every year. Traditionally, the theatre department auditions over 1,000 students for performance majors and admits 26 for the B.F.A. in musical theatre, 26 for the B.F.A. in acting, and 35 for the B.F.A. in theatre arts program. Theatre production (stage-management, design and technical design and management) aims to admit 25 students for this program.

How long is the audition?

The duration of each audition varies depending on the number of candidates. Students should plan to be on campus all day.

What should I prepare for my audition?

Please refer to Theatre Audition Guidelines.

How should I dress for my audition?

Please refer to Theatre Audition Guidelines.

Can I audition for both musical theatre AND acting concentrations?

Applicants may audition for one concentration per audition day. Please select separate audition dates for each concentration.

What is the difference between on-campus and off-campus auditions?

On-campus auditions give you an opportunity to see the University and facilities, as well as attend a possible theatre performance that may be in production during the weekend of the audition.

If I choose to attend an off-campus audition instead of an on-campus one, will that affect my chances for getting admitted?

No, both auditions carry the same weight.

Will I be provided with an accompanist at my audition?

Candidates at both on and off campus auditions will be provided with an accompanist. Students should bring their own sheet music that is appropriately marked for the accompanist.

Are letters of recommendation required?

No, letters of recommendation are not required for acceptance into the Conservatory of Performing Arts programs.

How long will it take before I hear about my audition results?

Acting and Musical Theatre

In order for the Conservatory of Performing Arts to send a letter regarding your audition/interview decision, candidates must have received notification of their academic admittance from the Office of Admission. Candidates will be notified by both email and letter of the admission decision. Full financial aid awards will be sent upon academic and artistic admittance. We are not permitted to disclose audition results over the phone or by email. Please refer to the artistic notification schedule for exact dates.

Theatre Production

Successful applicants must be artistically admitted into the theatre production program and academically admitted into the University. Applicants will not receive their artistic decision until they have received an academic decision from the Office of Admission.

Theatre production students will receive notification of admission to the major and the artistic achievement award on a rolling basis. That is, candidates will be notified of their artistic admission and artistic achievement award as the academic admission and artistic decisions are made.

Candidates will be notified both by email and letter of the admission decision. Full financial aid awards will be sent upon academic and artistic admittance.

Can I get feedback from my audition?

Due to the volume of students who audition each year for the Conservatory programs, it is impossible to provide feedback on individual audition results.

Are students eligible to re-audition for the theatre department?

Yes, students may audition once per year with a maximum of two auditions for the program.

Can theatre students begin in the spring semester?

Acting, musical theatre and theatre arts students must begin in the fall semester. Technical theatre/design and stage-management students may begin in the spring semester with permission.

I am a transfer student. How does that affect me?

Any student transferring into the acting or musical theatre programs will be admitted as a freshman. Transfer students will receive elective credit for previous college-level theatre training.

Can I double major or declare a minor?

Double majors and minors are possible and encouraged in our B.F.A. in theatre arts program, which includes a rigorous three-year sequence in performance and theatre making with an ability to self-design the remaining degree requirements beginning in the second year. Minors are available in many of the programs offered at Point Park, including cinema studies, screenwriting, dance and theatre production. Students interested in a minor in one of the other Conservatory of Performing Arts programs must complete an audition or interview. Due to the intense eight semester sequencing of the B.F.A. theatre degree tracks, a double major is recommended only for the B.F.A. Theatre Arts majors.

How much training should a prospective student have prior to attending Point Park?

Theatre performance students should have at least one year of acting training; those majoring or minoring in musical theatre should also have at least two years of private voice and one year of dance training. Students should have experience in high school or professional/community theatre prior to auditioning for the program.

What is the average size of theatre classes at Point Park?

The average ratio for most theatre classes is 15:1, except dance, which has a ratio of 20:1.

What dance classes are required for musical theatre students?

Musical theatre students will take one year of classical ballet, three years of jazz and one year of tap. Additional training requires an interview with the chair of the dance department. It is also possible for musical theatre students to audition for a dance minor, which is common within the department.

When am I eligible to audition for theatre productions?

Students may audition in the second semester of their freshman year for student-directed one acts, Cinema Arts productions and student-run theatre company productions. Main stage productions require students to have sophomore status.

Does the Conservatory offer talent awards?

The Conservatory offers academic and talent (merit-based) scholarships. Talent awards are offered based on the student's performance during the audition/interview process. Academic scholarships are based upon the student's submitted GPA. For more information on awards, refer to Scholarships.

How does Point Park help graduating seniors with career employment?

The theatre curriculum includes a Professional Seminar course that focuses on the business aspects of an artistic career. Each year, the Conservatory hosts a senior Showcase in New York for all B.F.A. acting and musical theatre majors as their capstone project. Agents, managers and casting directors are invited to review student performances. B.F.A. theatre arts majors create an original performance as their capstone project. Theatre production students will take a professional preparation course to develop resumes, portfolios and interviewing skills. These students also have an opportunity for sponsorship to the USITT or SETC conferences for networking, career exploration and job interviews.