Admissions

As a Theater Major, students will have exciting opportunities to study in the classroom with our highly rated faculty, and to participate in the productions of the Mason Players – the departmental producing unit. Any student admitted to George Mason must complete an audition, interview, or portfolio review in order to declare a Theater major. Any George Mason student may declare a Theater minor and need not audition. There is an audition requirement or portfolio review for theater majors electing to complete a concentration in Design and Technical Theater, Performance, Playwriting and Dramaturgy, or Theater Studies. For information regarding admission to George Mason University, financial aid, and campus tours, please visit the university web site www.gmu.edu.

All students applying to the Theater Program at Mason must audition, interview, or portfolio review with Theater faculty.  After completing an application for admission to George Mason University, applicants should plan to attend a department interview, audition or portfolio review. The review process is generally a give-and-take experience where students are encouraged to discuss their education and career goals in addition to demonstrating their artistic ability.

2011-2012 audition dates:
September 16, 2011 *in conjunction with Admissions Out-Of-State Student Event
October 23, 2011 *in conjunction with Admissions Open House
October 29 & 30, 2011; Virginia Theatre Association Conference, Reston, VA
November 12, 2011; Theater Department, Fairfax, VA
January 14, 2012; Theater Department, Fairfax, VA
February 4, 2012; Theater Department, Fairfax, VA
March 31, 2012; Theater Department, Fairfax, VA

Please contact the theater department (703)993-1120 to schedule your audition time for one of the audition dates.  Students may audition at conferences (i.e. VTAC) before or after applying to Mason, there is no need to make arrangements to attend a separate audition on campus. Auditions conducted on campus, however, are restricted to applicants.

Actors will audition for a panel of theater faculty with two pieces. They will present either two contrasting monologues or a monologue and 16 bars of a song (to be sung unaccompanied). Though those auditioning may be asked to make adjustments and repeat portions of their work, they should plan no more than three minutes of material.  Designers will have their portfolios reviewed by representatives of the design faculty.  Playwrights, dramaturgs and generalists will interview with faculty representatives, but are not required to submit portfolios.  Students are responsible for assembling and presenting examples of their design work.   In cases where distance prohibits an in-person audition, interview, or portfolio review, permission may be obtained for alternate arrangements (for instance submission of videotape/DVD, sent portfolio, and/or phone interview might be arranged).

Supporting materials (such as writing samples, reviews, articles, programs and the like) may be presented in building a case for admission.

Interviews will be conducted during presentations and may be required of any candidate for admission to the Theater Department at Mason.  Admission to the university is determined by the Admissions Office.

University Application Deadlines: Deadlines for Freshman Application are: Fall Semester-January 15 Spring Semester-October 15 Online Undergraduate Application Deadlines for Transfer Applications are: Fall Semester-April 1 Spring Semester-October 15 Online Transfer Application

Elephant Man Spring 2011 Photo by: Billy Tidwell

Theater Concentrations: Theater Majors may choose to complete the BA degree in one of the following concentrations: Design and Technical Theater Performance Playwriting and Dramaturgy Theater Studies Currently enrolled students may apply for admission to a concentration once prerequisites are completed. If interested, students will be asked to apply for a concentration during the second semester of their sophomore year to begin concentration course work during their junior year. Students may also complete the traditional Bachelor of Arts without a concentration Theater BFA students must select one of the following areas of concentration: Design for Stage and Screen Performance for Stage and Screen (Acting and Directing) Writing and Dramaturgy for Stage and Screen Theater Majors have the opportunity to earn Theater credits abroad each winter break through participation in the Center for Global Education's London Theater Tour. We encourage prospective students to contact the Theater Department to arrange an appointment with a faculty member and/or to visit our facilities. Prospective students are also invited to come and see one of our performances. For additional information, e-mail us at theater@gmu.edu or give us a call at (703) 993-1120.

Equus Spring 2011 Photo by: Joe Milmoe