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Our undergraduate Theatre Education and Performance BFA program integrates theater arts and education in classrooms, communities, and onstage.

During the application process, students choose between two concentrations within the major: Performance for those wanting more extensive acting training, and Classrooms + Communities for those pursuing a primary focus on teaching and theatre work with youth (in and out of schools) and people of all ages in community settings.

How to Apply

Apply to Emerson College by following the instructions in step one on the Undergraduate Application Process page. Select Theatre Education and Performance BFA as your major.

As soon as you have your Emerson Admission ID Number, you are ready to submit an Artistic Application and schedule an audition.

Submit an Artistic Application for the Performance Concentration

Log in or create an Acceptd account (if you already have an account, do not create a new one), complete the form, and upload a resume and headshot (a one-page theatrical resume and headshot/selfie).

Pay the non-refundable Artistic Application fee of $30

Application Deadlines

Early Action

Application Deadline 11/1/2026
Materials Deadline 11/15/2026
Honors Essay Deadline 11/15/2026
Performing Arts Acceptd App** 11/15/2026
Musical Theatre Prescreen** 11/8/2026
FAFSA 11/15/2026

Schedule and Complete an Audition

After you submit your Artistic Application, schedule your audition in Acceptd by going to Schedule > My Timeslots > Select Timeslot. You should prepare the following:

  • Monologue: Please prepare two 1 to 3-minute contrasting monologues from two contemporary plays (1950–present). You may not be required to perform both monologues at the audition, but be prepared to do so.
  • Choose pieces that are important to you; we are looking for honesty and a strong commitment to what you are doing. At the audition itself, you may be asked to work on your pieces improvisationally, so be sure to have memorized your monologues through exploration rather than by rote.
  • We recommend monologues that are age-appropriate (generally within 5-10 years of your actual age) and that feel authentic to your lived experience. Active monologues are often better for auditions, rather than pieces that are a story or remembrance. An active monologue takes place in real time, focuses on what you want, and puts you in direct communication with an imaginary scene partner. Additionally, it can be helpful to avoid monologues that rely on extreme emotions, as it can be hard to believably justify those responses in a short piece.

Audition Schedule

Early Action

Boston November 14, 2026
Boston November 21, 2026
Boston December 5, 2026
Virtual (Hosted on Acceptd) November 15, 2026
Virtual (Hosted on Acceptd) November 22, 2026
Virtual (Hosted on Acceptd) December 6, 2026

The Audition Day

Emerson offers three different types of auditions:

  • In-person auditions in Boston are scheduled in a 3-hour block, which includes an information session/Q & A with Performing Arts Faculty & Staff and a flexible “volunteering” system to determine the audition order.
  • In-person auditions outside of Boston begin with a brief information session/Q & A with Performing Arts Faculty before individually scheduled audition time slots.
  • Virtual auditions are conducted through Acceptd’s AuditionRoom platform and begin with a brief information session/Q & A with Performing Arts Faculty and Staff before individually scheduled audition time slots.

While these three types of auditions offer different timings, the modality and location of the audition will have no bearing whatsoever on your admission decision.

Submit an Artistic Application for the Classrooms + Communities Concentration

Log in or create an Acceptd account (if you already have an account, do not create a new one), complete the form, and upload the following:

  • Resume and Headshot (a one-page theatrical resume and headshot/selfie)
  • Statement of Intent: Your statement should tell us what you are interested in studying/learning/doing either at Emerson or after graduation (50-100 words).

Pay the non-refundable Artistic Application fee of $30

Application Deadlines

Early Action

Application Deadline 11/1/2026
Materials Deadline 11/15/2026
Honors Essay Deadline 11/15/2026
Performing Arts Acceptd App** 11/15/2026
Musical Theatre Prescreen** 11/8/2026
FAFSA 11/15/2026

Schedule and Complete an Interview

After you submit your Artistic Application, schedule your audition in Acceptd by going to Schedule > My Timeslots > Select Timeslot.

Interview Schedule

Early Action

Virtual (Hosted on Acceptd) November 13, 2026
Virtual (Hosted on Acceptd) November 20, 2026
Virtual Auditions (Hosted on Acceptd) December 4, 2026

The Interview Day

Emerson offers virtual interviews conducted through Acceptd’s AuditionRoom platform. Interviews begin with a brief information session and Q&A with Performing Arts faculty and staff, followed by individually scheduled 30-minute interview time slots.