Theatre

  • BFA
  • Major
  • Minor
BFA students rehearsing.

Whether you want to be onstage or behind the curtain, turn your love for live performance into a career with Montclair State University’s BFA in Theatre. The BFA in Theatre is a dynamic, pre-professional program that empowers you to explore your passion for performance and production. Offering a major, minor, and three concentrations, the program combines rigorous training, creative exploration, and access to professional opportunities just 14 miles from New York City. 

Program Highlights:

  • Intensive, pre-professional training guided by expert faculty and guest artists
  • Hands-on experience through department productions every semester
  • Small classes, close mentorship, and access to NYC’s theatre community
  • Flexible electives that let you shape your professional path

Acting Concentration – Bold. Dynamic. Transformative. The BFA Acting program integrates multiple techniques—Stanislavski, Shakespeare, Viewpoints, Suzuki, and more—while developing movement, voice, and acting for stage, film, and new media. With electives in stage combat, directing, audition prep, and playwriting, you’ll gain a holistic education that prepares you for today’s entertainment industry. 

Design, Technology, and Management Concentration – This pre-professional track prepares designers, managers, and technicians for careers in theatre and live entertainment. You’ll build a foundation in theatre history and directing, then specialize in areas like design, technology, or stage management. Intensive practicums and production work provide hands-on experience to launch your career with confidence. 

Shape your future in theatre—start your journey at Montclair State today. Note: All Theatre & Dance majors must pass yearly juries/portfolio reviews and faculty evaluation for continuation in the programs.

Explore your concentration options

Montclair’s BFA in Theatre offers two dynamic concentrations—Acting and Design, Technology and Management. Whether you’re training for the stage, film, television and new media, or developing expertise in theatre design, production and management, you’ll gain rigorous, hands-on experience that prepares you for a successful career in the performing arts.

Montclair State University’s BFA in Acting offers innovative and rigorous training that prepares you for success on stage, on screen, and in new media. Throughout the four-year program, you’ll study acting, voice, speech, and movement, with advanced courses in acting for the camera, voiceover and digital performance. 

Your senior year brings it all together with a Capstone project and a New York City Showcase, where you’ll perform for industry professionals. Alongside conservatory-style training, you’ll also take academically rich theatre courses in text analysis, directing, theatre history, and technical theatre, plus electives like stage combat, dialects, and playwriting. 

Blending intensive studio work with a liberal arts foundation, this program equips you with the versatility, skills, and connections to launch a professional acting career. 

Note: All Theatre & Dance majors must pass yearly juries/portfolio reviews and faculty evaluation for continuation in programs. 

See the curriculum | Audition Information

Montclair State University’s BFA in Theatre: Design, Technology, and Management prepares you to become a skilled designer, manager, or technician for professional theatre and live entertainment. The program blends a strong departmental core in theatre literature, history, directing, and performance production with specialized coursework in design, technology, and management for live performance. 

You’ll choose advanced classes in one or more areas of focus and apply your training through intensive practicums, working hands-on to produce departmental productions and gain real-world experience. Guided by expert faculty and advisors, you’ll receive both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in today’s performing arts industry. 

With 120 credits required for the degree, this program combines rigorous training with immersive experiences, giving you the tools and connections to launch a career in professional stagecraft and live production. 

See the curriculum 

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BFA Acting Application Process

Our goal is to create an audition process that is clear and accessible to every student interested in our BFA Acting program. The most important thing is that you feel confident in the work you present. Your prescreen videos should allow us to see and hear you clearly so your individuality and unique talents can shine through.

Focus your time and energy on preparing strong, honest performances rather than achieving the perfect background or expensive lighting. We are much more interested in you and the spark that makes you unique.

Break a leg!

For questions regarding the audition process, please contact: actingauditions@montclair.edu

Step 1: Submit Your Prescreen & Reserve an Audition Date

  • Choose an audition date/location and submit your prescreen materials through the audition portal.
  • Pay the $65 audition fee (required before prescreen results are released).
  • Upload all required prescreen materials (see below).

Submit each piece as a separate video. Do not combine multiple pieces into one continuous recording.

Videos must be uploaded as:

  • Unlisted YouTube links, or
  • Accessible Vimeo links

Google Drive links will not be accepted.

Prescreen Introduction “SLATE” Video: A separate slate video is not required. Instead, include a slate at the beginning of each monologue stating:

  • Your name
  • Title of the play
  • Playwright

Monologue Requirements (Common Prescreen Option A)

Prepare two contrasting monologues:

  • One contemporary
  • One classical

Requirements:

  • Maximum 2 minutes each
  • From full-length plays
  • Choose age-appropriate material
  • Select pieces you feel personally connected to
  • Film in a close-up framing (top of head through chest visible)

Faculty will review your prescreen materials before extending live audition invitations.

Step 2: Apply to Montclair State University

Submit your University application, including:

  1. Online Application: Submit application and $65 non-refundable fee (or waiver if applicable).
  2. Official Transcripts 
  3. Personal Statement 
  4. Resume of Performance Experience 
  5. Acting Resume 
  6. Two Letters of Recommendation:
    • One from an academic teacher
    • One from an acting teacher, coach, and/or director

After submitting your application, monitor your email for instructions on accessing your applicant portal and uploading any remaining materials.

Please Note: Applicants with incomplete materials or unpaid audition fees will not receive an admissions or audition decision.

Step 3: Attend a Live Audition (Invitation Only)

Applicants who successfully pass the prescreen will be invited to participate in a live audition, either on campus or virtually via Zoom.

Applicants invited to a live audition will participate in a faculty working session featuring:

  • Two monologues (you may perform the same monologues submitted for your prescreen)
  • Individual coaching and discussion with faculty

Both in-person and virtual auditions include the monologue working session.

There is no dance audition for the BFA Acting program.

In-person auditions include a group movement call in addition to the monologue session.

Applicants attending virtually will not participate in the movement call.

Partner Organization Auditions

Students auditioning through partner organizations (such as NYC Unifieds, Chicago Unifieds, or LA Unifieds) do not need to submit a prescreen video.

Before scheduling their audition applicants must:

  • Register with the partner organization
  • Complete the Montclair State University application
  • Register through Montclair State University's audition portal

Related Programs

Questions? We're Here to Help.

If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.

Undergraduate Admissions Office

Whether you’re looking to begin an application, have questions about transferring to Montclair or trying to check your application status, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is pleased to help you in any way we can.

Department of Theatre and Dance

The College of the Arts’ Department of Theatre and Dance has trained actors, dancers, production artists, educators and arts managers to create “magic” for the stage for more than 50 years.