Admission

This degree is for students who are interested in a variety of aspects of the industry: Theatre, Film, Design/Tech or Stage Management, but don’t wish to limit their studies to one specialized area.

Apply to the School. Complete the application form. This application is only for the school of Stage and Screen, not for WCU, you must apply to Western Carolina University through this application.

• Submit two letters of reference concerning your prospect for professional study.
• Submit a head shot (or recent photo).
• Submit a resume.
• Submit an essay (choose 1 topic from list below, 1-2 pages in length)
  
  1. Exploring Personal Expression Through Theatre: “Theatre provides a unique space for personal expression and growth. Reflect on a character from a play or a theatrical production that resonates with you deeply. Discuss how embodying this character or witnessing their story unfold would provide a platform for you to explore your own emotions, challenges, and aspirations.”
  2. Innovation in Theatre: “Innovation is key to keeping the arts alive and engaging. Propose an innovative theatrical project or concept that you would be passionate about developing during your undergraduate studies. Explain how it integrates technology, unconventional storytelling, or new forms of audience interaction.”
  3. Cultural Heritage and Theatre: “Theatre can be a celebration of cultural heritage and a means to preserve it. Describe a theatrical tradition from your culture or another culture that fascinates you. How would you like to explore and potentially introduce this tradition to a wider audience through your studies and future productions?”

  4.  

     Theatre as a Collaborative Effort: “A successful theatre production is the result of a collaborative effort. Write about a time when you worked with a team to achieve a common goal. How did this experience prepare you for the collaborative nature of theatre, and what role do you see yourself playing in a theatre ensemble?”

• Optional: monologue, requirements are 1.5-2 min in length

This degree is for students interested in acting in both the theatre and film.  

Apply to the School. Complete the application form. This application is only for the school, not for WCU, you must apply to Western Carolina University though this application.

• Headshot (or recent photo)
• Resume
• Two letters of reference concerning your prospect for professional study
• Submit an essay (choose 1 topic from list below, 1-2 pages in length)
  
  1. Exploring Personal Expression Through Theatre: “Theatre provides a unique space for personal expression and growth. Reflect on a character from a play or a theatrical production that resonates with you deeply. Discuss how embodying this character or witnessing their story unfold would provide a platform for you to explore your own emotions, challenges, and aspirations.”
  2. Innovation in Theatre: “Innovation is key to keeping the arts alive and engaging. Propose an innovative theatrical project or concept that you would be passionate about developing during your undergraduate studies. Explain how it integrates technology, unconventional storytelling, or new forms of audience interaction.”
  3. Cultural Heritage and Theatre: “Theatre can be a celebration of cultural heritage and a means to preserve it. Describe a theatrical tradition from your culture or another culture that fascinates you. How would you like to explore and potentially introduce this tradition to a wider audience through your studies and future productions?”

  4. Theatre as a Collaborative Effort: “A successful theatre production is the result of a collaborative effort. Write about a time when you worked with a team to achieve a common goal. How did this experience prepare you for the collaborative nature of theatre, and what role do you see yourself playing in a theatre ensemble?”

• Monologue Videos - Perform two monologues, one contemporary (this can be from a play or film) and one from a style of your choosing (contemporary, classical, self authored, etc). Only one of the 2 monologues can be self authored.  Monologues should be active and avoid narration and/or recounting a story. Each monologue should be approx. 1 min in length.
  
  •  TAPING: one monologue  should be waist-up (frame should be your waist to just past the top of your head) one monologue  should be medium-close (frame should be your armpits to just past the top of your head). If using a phone, please turn the phone horizontally for shooting.
• Dance video (optional)

This degree is for students interested in studying elements of theatrical and film design and production including lighting, costumes, scenic, properties, sound, and construction. 

Apply to the School. Complete the application form. This application is only for the school, not for WCU, you must apply to Western Carolina University though this application.

• Submit two letters of reference concerning your prospect for professional study.
• Submit a resume.
• Submit an essay

  (choose 1 topic from list below, 1-2 pages in length)

   

  1. 1.  Exploring Personal Expression Through Theatre: “Theatre provides a unique space for personal expression and growth. Reflect on a character from a play or a theatrical production that resonates with you deeply. Discuss how embodying this character or witnessing their story unfold would provide a platform for you to explore your own emotions, challenges, and aspirations.”

         

     2. Innovation in Theatre: “Innovation is key to keeping the arts alive and engaging. Propose an innovative theatrical project or concept that you would be passionate about developing during your undergraduate studies. Explain how it integrates technology, unconventional storytelling, or new forms of audience interaction.”

         

     3. Cultural Heritage and Theatre: “Theatre can be a celebration of cultural heritage and a means to preserve it. Describe a theatrical tradition from your culture or another culture that fascinates you. How would you like to explore and potentially introduce this tradition to a wider audience through your studies and future productions?”

         

     4. Theatre as a Collaborative Effort: “A successful theatre production is the result of a collaborative effort. Write about a time when you worked with a team to achieve a common goal. How did this experience prepare you for the collaborative nature of theatre, and what role do you see yourself playing in a theatre ensemble?”

• Submit a portfolio of your design and tech work: this might include production photos, renderings, schematics, a short film clip, or the like. Faculty will review your portfolio of work and ask a number of questions about your passion for design and technology.

This degree is for the performance student with the addition of voice, dance, and musical components.

Apply to the School. Complete the application form.  This application is only for the school, not for WCU, you must apply to Western Carolina University though this application.

• 2 letter of reference concerning your prospect for professional study.
• A head shot (or recent photo).
• Resume.

• Submit an essay(choose 1 topic from list below, 1-2 pages in length)

   

  1. Exploring Personal Expression Through Theatre: “Theatre provides a unique space for personal expression and growth. Reflect on a character from a play or a theatrical production that resonates with you deeply. Discuss how embodying this character or witnessing their story unfold would provide a platform for you to explore your own emotions, challenges, and aspirations.”

      

  2. Innovation in Theatre: “Innovation is key to keeping the arts alive and engaging. Propose an innovative theatrical project or concept that you would be passionate about developing during your undergraduate studies. Explain how it integrates technology, unconventional storytelling, or new forms of audience interaction.”

      

  3. Cultural Heritage and Theatre: “Theatre can be a celebration of cultural heritage and a means to preserve it. Describe a theatrical tradition from your culture or another culture that fascinates you. How would you like to explore and potentially introduce this tradition to a wider audience through your studies and future productions?”

      

  4. Theatre as a Collaborative Effort: “A successful theatre production is the result of a collaborative effort. Write about a time when you worked with a team to achieve a common goal. How did this experience prepare you for the collaborative nature of theatre, and what role do you see yourself playing in a theatre ensemble?”

• Two contrasting 32 bar cuts (approximately 1 minute each) of selections pulled from the musical theatre spectrum.
• 1 minute monologue

  (Contemporary or Classical. Your monologue should help round out your cohesive, contrasting package. Your package should be no longer than 3 minutes total.  You may perform the selections in any order you wish.  

   

• Dance Call Video: All MT auditionees should prepare, record, and submit the virtual dance call with their application. You can find the instructional Dance Video via this link When you film yourself executing the combinations, please ensure we can see your whole body in the frame. You should film from the front, so we see your face in the video! If you have tap experience, you may also elect to add a demonstration.

Dance Call for Live at WCU Auditions:
All candidates must participate in a dance class (warm-up and several combinations). Applicants must wear standard rehearsal attire or clothing and shoes that allow for ease of movement. Sandals and tennis shoes are not considered proper attire. Jazz shoes/booties are suggested, however, other dance shoes are allowed. Tap shoes are not necessary for the audition.

This degree is for students interested in a comprehensive film and television training including writing, directing, cinematography, and film production.  

Apply to the School. Complete the application form. This application is only for the school, not for WCU, you must apply to Western Carolina University though this application.

• Resume.
• 2 letters of recommendation.

• Essay (choose 1 topic from list below, 1-2 pages in length)

   

  1. 1. Exploring Personal Expression Through Film: “Film is a powerful medium for personal storytelling and self-discovery. Reflect on a film character or a movie that resonates with you deeply. Discuss how relating to this character or story would provide a platform for you to explore your own emotions, challenges, and aspirations.”

     2. Film’s Role in Social Change: “Film has the power to influence society and inspire change. Choose a historical period or event and discuss how film played a part in the societal shifts of the time. How do you see yourself using film to address contemporary issues and inspire change in today’s world?”

     3. Innovation in Film: “The film industry thrives on innovation. Propose an innovative film project or concept that you would be passionate about developing during your undergraduate studies. Explain how it incorporates new technologies, unconventional narratives, or interactive elements to engage modern audiences.”

     4. Cultural Heritage and Film: “Film can be a celebration of cultural heritage and a means to preserve it. Describe a film tradition from your culture or another culture that fascinates you. How would you like to explore and potentially introduce this tradition to a wider audience through your studies and future work?”

     5. Film as a Collaborative Effort: “Creating a film is a collaborative process. Write about a time when you worked with a team to achieve a common goal. How did this experience prepare you for the collaborative nature of filmmaking, and what role do you envision for yourself in a film production team?”

• Pick one of the following samples of creative work:
  • A film or video 1.5-2 min. in length
  • A screenplay
  • An art portfolio of 8-10 images
  • A thorough 2-3 page dramatic analysis of a scene selected from one of the following films: The Royal Tenenbaums, Memento, Tree of Life, The Virgin Suicides, or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• Smartphone/video recording (3 minutes max) answering the following interview questions: 
  • Imagine you’re in the Film & Television Program at WCU and you are directing a class project. A volunteer student crew member brings her own expensive piece of gear for you to use, per your request. The gear accidentally gets broken on set. What do you do?
  • How long have you been interested in film? What areas of production interest you the most? What would you do if you could not get into a film program?