Auditions and Portfolio Reviews
Step 1 – Apply
Prior to scheduling an artistic review, prospective students should submit an application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Step 2 – Schedule an Artistic Review
Students should schedule a Performance Audition or Portfolio Review online. The interview season for regular decision candidates runs from mid-January through the first weekend in March. There is an additional transfer applicant audition/interview date in April.
Performance Auditions are held in Boston, New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Portfolio Reviews are offered in-person in Boston and New York City. Skype interviews are available for other candidates. Representatives from the Design & Production programs will also be available to speak with applicants at the annual USITT National Convention.
Once a student has submitted an audition/interview request, the School will hold a spot for that prospective student until such time as they reschedule or cancel. Audition requests will remain “pending confirmation” until the Office of Undergraduate Admissions receives the student’s complete set of application materials. The School of Theatre will begin processing confirmations after the admission deadline of January 1st. If, after that time, an audition appointment remains “pending confirmation” please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (617.353.2300) to obtain a list of missing application materials.
2012 Artistic Review Dates and Locations
Critical Dates for Fall Admission
Step 3 – Prepare Materials
Performance Audition Requirements
Step 4 – Audition/Interview
A typical Performance Audition:
(Note: Times will vary based on city of audition.)
9:00 a.m.: Check-In, Welcome and Information Sessions/Q&A
10:00 a.m.: Auditions Begin. The audition order is initially determined by the order in which applicants reserve appointments online. However, the faculty will work around each student’s schedule to make any necessary accommodations for travel or other auditions scheduled for the same day. Students should anticipate “workshop-style” auditions in which the faculty may actively engage them in the work as they might do in a classroom setting.
A typical Portfolio Review in Boston:
1:00 p.m.: Check-In, Welcome and Information Session/Q&A
1:30 p.m.: Tour of the Boston University Theatre Design & Production Center
(Relatives are welcome to be involved in the above activities.)
2:00 p.m.: Individual Portfolio Reviews with a member of the faculty begin.
Interview order is determined by the order in which applicants sign-up online; however, the faculty are willing to work around each student’s schedule to make any necessary accommodations for travel. Each student should anticipate taking about 10 minutes to talk through his or her portfolio, and should expect comments and conversation about their work.
A typical Portfolio Review in New York and at USITT:
2:00 p.m.: Check-In, Welcome and Information Session/Q&A
2:45 p.m.: Individual Portfolio Reviews with a member of the faculty begin.
Interview order is determined by the order in which applicants sign-up online; however, the faculty are willing to work around each student’s schedule to make any necessary accommodations for travel or other interviews scheduled for the same day. Each student should anticipate taking about 10 minutes to talk through his or her portfolio, and should expect comments and conversation about their work.