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No. However, the faculty might allow you to perform a classical work in addition to the two contemporary monologues. It's fine to mention to the faculty that your strength is in classical, and that information would be of interest to the faculty as they interview you, but it doesn’t guarantee that you would be asked to perform a short classical monologue. It doesn’t hurt to have one at the ready, but whether or not you are asked to perform it is up to faculty discretion.

It’s best to stick to a character who is approximately your age. It’s okay to branch out a bit if it feels genuine to you, but beware, don’t branch out too far and go for a 70-year-old character or a character whose culture or life experiences you know little about, etc. Be sure you can embody the character.

No. The song should be sung a cappella: without musical accompaniment.

The kind you are most confident in and can convey well. We hear all kinds of genres during auditions. Figure out what song you can best convey as an actor, and go for it.; 16 bars are all that are needed.

Don’t worry, we’re not looking for the next Beyoncé. We’re looking at breath control, projection and the way you convey the song. Pick a song that feels right for you, and go for it.

Three ways:

1. On your Meadows Theatre application, indicate Theatre Studies as your preferred theatre specialization.
2. Upload a portfolio or supplemental materials to your Meadows Theatre Application, in the “Media/Portfolio” section; this option is encouraged but not required for those interested in the Theatre Studies track.
3. When you introduce yourself at the beginning of the audition, let the faculty know you are primarily interested in producing, directing, or playwrighting, then go on to give a great audition. After you’ve done your two contemporary monologues and sung 16 bars a cappella, faculty will interview you and more than likely will ask you about your ambitions to direct/produce/write plays.

1. Arriving late to the audition. Give yourself ample time to find the audition.
2. Resisting faculty’s direction to try the monologue again with a different approach.

Not the first semester – the fall performances are cast at the end of the previous spring semester, before the first-years arrive on campus. First-years will also be busy with their crew assignments in costume, lighting, or scenery on top of acclimating themselves to college life that first semester. Second semester first-years can, and are expected to, audition.

Sure! The Theatre degree has a “dual admission” process, and it takes time to complete the process:

• After submitting the completed Meadows Theatre Application, applicants will register for an audition.
• About two weeks after the audition, Meadows will email its admission decision to the applicant and will also let the ÃÛÌÒ½´Office of Undergraduate Admission know what the decision is.
• Then, ÃÛÌÒ½´will send its admission decision to the applicant.
• If you send in your completed applications and do your audition within the same semester, your admission decisions – one from Meadows, the other from ÃÛÌÒ½´– will arrive about two weeks apart.

However, if, for example, a Theatre applicant applies to ÃÛÌÒ½´Early Action or Early Decision I in the fall semester but doesn’t audition for Meadows until the spring semester, the admission decisions from Meadows and from ÃÛÌÒ½´will arrive later in the spring semester, causing the applicant to wait until mid-spring to find out whether they have been admitted to Meadows and/or to SMU.

Whether you audition either in person (on campus, Unifieds, or Theatre conferences) or via Zoom, you will receive your Meadows admission decision about two weeks after the audition. Note that your ÃÛÌÒ½´admission decision will follow about two weeks after your Meadows decision.

For Theatre applicants, Early Action. Here’s why: Early Decision is a binding agreement to attend ÃÛÌÒ½´if you are accepted to the university, even if you are not also accepted to the Meadows Theatre Division. For those who wish to apply by the November 1 “Early” deadline, we recommend that Theatre applicants select “Early Action” instead of “Early Decision.” By applying Early Action, Theatre applicants can keep their options open while expressing strong interest in SMU.

Not at all! Know that Meadows considers all of the auditions, whether you audition in the fall or spring semester. We want you to apply and audition when you think you will be at your best. Regular and Early Decision II applications to ÃÛÌÒ½´are due February 1.

That does sometimes happen, and is the main reason why we encourage early applicants to apply to ÃÛÌÒ½´as Early Action and not Early Decision. If you are accepted to ÃÛÌÒ½´but not to the Theatre program, you and your family will need to decide whether you go to ÃÛÌÒ½´and pursue a major other than Theatre, or select a different university.

In order to attend ÃÛÌÒ½´and pursue the B.F.A. in Theatre, applicants must apply to and be admitted to both ÃÛÌÒ½´and to Meadows School of the Arts Division of Theatre. If you are admitted to Theatre but not to SMU, you’ll need to select a different university.

High grades, activity in your school, community, place of worship, etc. Keep in touch with your ÃÛÌÒ½´admission counselor;, attend some ÃÛÌÒ½´and/or Meadows events (keep checking your email for event announcements and registrations) and show your active interest in SMU. 

No, a minor in Theatre is not offered, but there are approximately 85 minor degrees offered at SMU, including the arts entrepreneurship minor and the arts management minor.

All new Theatre undergraduate students must begin their Theatre studies in the fall semester. If you enter ÃÛÌÒ½´in the spring, you can start taking the ÃÛÌÒ½´Common Curriculum courses, then begin your Theatre studies the following fall. Theatre transfer students are usually enrolled for three full years as they complete the degree. 

Yes yes yes! We enjoy a long-running relationship with the Tony award-winning Best Regional Theatre, Dallas Theater Center. Our students and faculty work with them every year. Our students also often audition for productions at Theatre Three, Kitchen Dog Theatre (founded by Meadows Theatre alums), Prism Co (also founded by Meadows Theatre alums), Lyric Stage (professional musical theatre company), Second Thought Theatre and more. 

Get your questions answered and see where you will study, research, rehearse, perform, and collaborate as a Meadows student! ; when you get to the page, you’ll see that you can register for ÃÛÌÒ½´info sessions and tours, as well as for the .