Admissions

The Division of Theatre observes a highly selective admissions policy in its graduate programs. Four students are admitted to the stage design program every year. Eight students are admitted to the acting program every other year. Prospective students in all areas are strongly encouraged to visit the campus to gain a keener appreciation of our training, the environment and the University.

Acting Interview-Audition: The acting faculty auditions applicants in addition to evaluating their formal application for graduate study in acting. Consideration of candidates takes place every other year for admission during the fall term of odd numbered years only. Applicants must audition at one of the University/Resident Theatre Association's three venues. Candidates will need to have prepared two (2) monologues: one taken from a classical play and one from a modern or contemporary play, for a total of four (4) minutes or less. Students may sing but are not required to do so.

Stage Design Interview-Portfolio Review: The design faculty interviews applicants for graduate study in scenery, costume and lighting design. Applicants can choose to interview in Dallas, at the University/Resident Theatre Association's three venues or at a number of our own national sites. Appointments for on-campus interviews can be made by contacting the Division of Theatre.

Please read carefully before beginning your application:

Deadline and Application Fee
To assure full consideration for the fall term, application should be completed online and ALL supporting materials pertaining to the application for admission should be delivered to the Meadows Graduate Office BEFORE February 15th. Materials received from applicants who do not enroll will be retained by the Meadows Graduate Office for one year. All documents become the property of Southern Methodist University and cannot be returned. The $75.00 non-refundable application fee is waived for MFA in Theatre applicants at the time of application. Contact Hoselton@smu.edu for waiver information.

Transcripts
Request in writing one official transcript from the Registrar of each college or university previously attended, including summer terms. These may be sent directly to the Meadows Graduate Office. If the transcripts are sent to you, do not open the sealed envelopes, and mail them to the Meadows Graduate Office. A supplementary transcript covering work in progress at the time of the application must be furnished upon completion of that work. International transcripts that are not in English must be accompanied by official translations. We recommend the following services:

Education Perspective (preferred)
Foreign Education Credential Service (AACRAO)
Educational Credential Evaluators

Recommendations
Three letters of recommendation are required. Letters of recommendation should be requested from professors who know the personal and academic qualifications of the applicant. When completing an online application you will have the opportunity to arrange for your letters to be delivered electronically. You will need a valid email address for each recommender. The Meadows Graduate Office can also provide forms for this purpose. If you need these please contact the Meadows Graduate Office for additional information.

Acting - Audition
An Acting class will be admitted in the fall of odd-numbered years. Applicants should submit a current résumé along with the application. An audition and interview should be scheduled well in advance of the application deadline at one of the national audition locations or at the national U/RTA finals. Notify the Graduate Admissions Office when confirmation of your audition is made. Appointments will be scheduled following an audition at the national U/RTA finals.

We also offer two opportunities to audition on campus:
December 11, 2010
January 22, 2011

Contact Hoselton@smu.edu request one of the Dallas Campus audition dates.

The standard audition is in two parts: a two-minute monologue from a contemporary play and two contrasting minutes from a classical play. View additional information on the audition process.

Stage Design – Interview & Portfolio
A Stage Design class will be admitted every fall. Applicants should submit a current résumé along with the application. Applicants must present a portfolio at the interview, which can be scheduled on campus or at the national U/RTA finals. For details on scheduling an interview, contact the head of Stage Design, Steve Woods.

Financial Aid
Scholarships and graduate assistantships for qualified, admitted students are available from the graduate division. Candidates for graduate awards are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is not required from international students on the F-1 visa. For additional information, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Meadows School of the Arts, PO Box 750356, Dallas, Texas 75275-0356 (telephone 214.768.3314).

Additional Documents Required for International Applicants
TOEFL
A score of a least 80 (minimum of 20 in each section) on the TOEFL iBT (or 213 or 550 on older versions of the test) is required of all international applicants whose first language is not English. Before an applicant can be considered for admission into a graduate program, the applicant must request the TOEFL score to be sent from the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey directly to "SMU Meadows School of the Arts", School Code 7640, and the appropriate Department Code in the Humanities category: 53 Dramatic Arts. Applicants who have graduated from a U.S. or English-speaking university are exempt from this requirement.

I-20 and F-1 Visa
All international students admitted to a graduate program are required to provide:
• photocopy of passport page that shows official spelling of student’s name (submitted at time of application)
• proof of financial support, usually in the form of a certified letter from a bank (submitted following an offer of admission)

Submission and Contact Information
All materials and/or questions regarding the application process should be directed to the following:

Graduate Admissions
SMU | Meadows School of the Arts
PO BOX 750356
Dallas TX 75275

Or SMU physical address:

Graduate Admissions
SMU | Meadows School of the Arts
6101 Bishop Blvd
Dallas TX 75205

Joe S. Hoselton
Hoselton@smu.edu
214.768.3765

Theatre

Undergraduate Studies