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Performing Arts Artistic Review Requirements

Our Acting BFA program blends rigorous training with personal discovery, empowering students to develop their unique artistic voice through a dynamic, technique-driven curriculum. Graduates emerge as bold, versatile performers and creators, equipped to create authentic, innovative work across a wide range of mediums.

How to Apply

Apply to Emerson College following the Step 1 instructions from the Performing Arts Applicant Requirements page. Select 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

  1. 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:
    1. Resume & Headshot: a 1-page theatrical resume and headshot/selfie.
  2. Pay the non-refundable Artistic Application fee of $30

Schedule and Complete an Audition

Once you have submitted your Artistic Application, you must schedule your audition in Acceptd by navigating 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.

The Audition Day

For this admission cycle we will be offering 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.

Additional Information for Applicants

Deadlines and Schedule
Résumés
Admission Portal

Questions?

Questions About Your Emerson Application:

Office of Undergraduate Admission
617-824-8600
admission@emerson.edu

Questions About Your Artistic Application:

Department of Performing Arts
617-824-8780
pa_artisticreview@emerson.edu