Admissions

Mason students have exciting opportunities to study with our faculty of Theater professionals, and to participate in productions of the Mason Players, the departmental producing unit.

Admission to George Mason University requires application through Mason's Admissions office. Admission to the Theater Major requires an interview with the School of Theater as described below. Please note that these are two separate processes.

Before declaring a Theater major, a student must interview before a Theater faculty panel. Additionally, actors must audition and designers must present a portfolio for review. This process is a give-and-take experience in which students are encouraged to discuss their education and career goals in addition to demonstrating their artistic ability. Please refer to application criteria below.

Any George Mason student may declare a Theater minor and need not interview.

Applicants are encouraged to seek admission to the university prior to their interview with the School of Theater. For information regarding admission to George Mason University, financial aid, and campus/virtual tours, please visit the George Mason University website. Admission to the university is determined by the Admissions Office.

Incoming Freshmen:

Fall Semester-January 15
Spring Semester-October 15
Early Application-November 1
Online Undergraduate Application

Transfer Students:

Fall Semester-April 1
Spring Semester-October 15
Online Transfer Application

Always check for current deadlines at admissions.gmu.edu

Fall 2012 Admissions Events also provide opportunity to interview for the Theater Major. Applicant are strongly encouraged to interview in the Fall for admissions beginning the following Fall (e.g. interview in Fall '12 for Fall '13 start date). Check Admissions for current schedules. All Theater Major interviews will take place within the School of Theater on the Fairfax campus on the following dates:

Aug 22, 2012 - Admissions Event, 3:30-5:30 pm

Sep 17, 2012 - Admissions Out-of-State Open House

Oct 27, 2012 - Admissions Event

Nov 10, 2012

Feb 2, 2013 - Interviews

Mar 30, 2013 - Interviews

Apr 27, 2013 - Interviews

Please contact the School of Theater at theater@gmu.edu or (703) 993-1120 to schedule your interview. Students who audition or present a portfolio at theater conferences (i.e., Virginia Theatre Association, Southeastern Theater Conference, etc.) before or after applying to Mason are required to attend a separate interview on campus.

Application Criteria

Interviews will be conducted by appointment and will be required of each candidate for admission to the Theater major Candidates must prepare an appropriate resume.

Actors will also audition for a panel of Theater faculty with two pieces, either two contrasting monologues or a monologue and 16 bars of a song (to be sung unaccompanied), not to exceed three minutes total. Actors will likely be asked to make adjustments and repeat portions of their work.

Designers, technicians and stage managers will have their portfolios and resumes reviewed by representatives of the design faculty. Students are responsible for assembling and presenting examples of their design work.

Playwrights, dramaturgs and generalists must submit a writing sample to theater@gmu.edu prior to interviewing.

Theater Education candidates must submit a written Teaching Philosophy Statement prior to interviewing, and will also audition for a panel of Theater Faculty with one monologue.

Under special circumstances that preclude an in-person audition, interview, or portfolio review, student applicants may qualify for alternate arrangements. Contact the School of Theater for details.

Successful candidates for the
Theater major will demonstrate:

• An appropriate level of craft and artistry;

• Commitment to doing the work and giving it the time necessary,

including preparation for the interview, audition, or portfolio review process;

• A willingness to accept direction, criticism and mentoring, and the ability to collaborate

with fellow student, faculty, and professional artists.

Supporting materials, other than those required for specific interviews (such as writing samples, reviews, articles, programs, head shots, resumes, etc.), may be presented to support a case for admission to the major.

Applicants will be notified of a decision as soon as possible. Applicants who are denied acceptance to the Theater major must wait one year before reapplying and must meet with the Chair of the School of Theater or his/her designee one full semester prior to reapplying.

Theater Concentrations:

Theater BA students may choose to complete the degree in one of the following concentrations:

• Design and Technical Theater

• Performance (Acting and Directing)

• Playwriting and Dramaturgy

• Teaching Theatre Arts PK-12

Currently enrolled Theater majors may apply for admission to a concentration once prerequisites are completed. There is no further audition requirement or portfolio review for Theater majors electing to complete a concentration. 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 Post-Graduate Certification is designed for the Post-Baccalaureate student interested in obtaining licensure in Theatre Arts for PK-12. This is approved by the Virginia State Department of Education and administered through the College of Education and Human Development, which is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Must pass Praxis I to be admitted to the program, and must pass VCLA tests before internship (student teaching) is granted. Admission into this program is granted through the University Graduate Admission process. For more detail, go to Degrees and Requirements.

CVPA Graduate Admissions is a self-managed system administered by the University’s Graduate Admissions Office: http://admissions.gmu.edu/grad/

We encourage interested applicants to open their applications online, provide correct and current information, and check the status of their applications on a continual basis. Each applicant is assigned a G number once an application is opened; this is a Mason identification number that will be used for all University communications. Once accepted, applicants who file an “Intent to Enroll” must submit a $200 deposit, which will be applied to their first semester’s tuition.

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 School of Theater to arrange an appointment with a faculty member and/or to visit our facilities. Prospective students are also invited to attend one of our performances.

For additional information, to schedule a visit, or to schedule an audition or portfolio review, e-mail us at theater@gmu.edu or call 703-993-1120.

Can’t visit Mason but still wish to apply?
Visit acceptd.com to learn how.