Skip to main content

Admission

School of Stage and Screen Admission Requirements

Admissions requirements include the standard undergraduate admissions process for the university, as well as specific admission requirements for each School of Stage & Screen program. All degree programs require a live or remote audition/interview. Please refer to the particular degree of interest below for details. Please note that entrance in to each program of study in the School of Stage and Screen is competitive. Auditions are first come, first served. The School of Stage and Screen highly suggests auditioning as early as possible in the academic year to better your chances for admission. Once the slots for each program are filled, a waiting list will be established. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission in to the School of Stage and Screen. 

ALL students interested in studying at WCU's School of Stage and Screen must apply online at: getaccepted.com/wcu

Program Number of Students Admitted Per Year Total Number of Students in the Program
BFA in Musical Theatre 10 40
BFA in Film and Television Production 15 60
BFA in Acting for Stage and Screen 10 40
BFA in Entertainment Design and Technology 8 32
BA in Stage and Screen  10 40

 

*Students may be admitted into a program above the capacity in special circumstances.

Audition Dates for Fall 2024 Admittance:

Live at WCU audition: Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 (Ifthis day is canceled due to inclement weather or due tohealth concerns this live audition date will be changedto a Live Zoom audition; you will be notified of this though
getaccepted.com/wcu)(Application submissiondeadline date is November 26, 2023)

Live Zoom audition: Saturday, January 27th, 2024(Application submission deadline date is January 21,2024)

Live at WCU audition: Saturday, February 24th, 2024 (Ifthis day is canceled due to inclement weather or due tohealth concerns this live audition date will be changedto a remote audition; you will be notified of this though
getaccepted.com/wcu)(Application submissiondeadline date is February 18th, 2024)

You must audition by the last posted audition date in Spring 2024 for Fall 2024 admission in order to receive full consideration for admission. Auditions are first come, first served. The School of Stage and Screen highly suggests auditioning as early as possible in the academic year to better your chances for admission. Once the slots for each program are filled, a waiting list will be established.  

Have questions about auditioning for the School of Stage & Screen? Visit our FAQ page.

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, 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 head shot (or recent photo).
  • Submit a resume.
  • Submit an essay on "What are your top five favorite plays/films are and the reason for two of them." 
  • Optional: monologue, requirements are 1.5-2 min in length (please do not use any monologues from: Good-bye Charles, Our Town, Promedy, Star Spangled Girl, Fantasticks, Funny Girl, or any Shakespeare).

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
  • A short essay explaining why you want to major in acting
  • 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, etc). Each monologue should be approx. 1 min in length. Please shoot one of the monologues in a close up or medium close up.
  • 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 on "What are your top five favorite plays/films are and the reason for two of them."
  • 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.
  • A short Essay on why you are interested in the Musical Theatre program with the School of Stage & Screen (1-2 pages).
  • Two contrasting 32 bar cuts (approximately 1 minute each) of selections pulled from the musical theatre spectrum.
  • 1 minute monologue
  • Dance Call Video (required for zoom and live auditions)

Dance 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.
  • An essay listing five of the applicant’s favorite films and the reasons for two of the choices.
  • 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?
Office of Web Services