University of South Dakota

Admission:

Admission is based on talent, academic ability, and potential for success in a theatre-related career.

Steps to Apply and Audition:

1. Apply to USD. No notification of admittance or scholarship award can be made until you have been admitted to USD. Early application enhances opportunities for scholarships and graduate assistantships. While it is recommended that you apply by January 15, we accept applications on a rolling basis until March 15.
   
   • Prospective Undergraduate Students Application Process
   • • Undergraduate Financial Aid & Scholarship Applications
   • Prospective Graduate Students Application Process
   • • Applicants should have earned a baccalaureate degree in Theatre or its equivalent. This includes coursework in acting, directing, technical production, design and, preferably, a year-long survey of the history of theatre and drama. If applicants do not have a comprehensive undergraduate education in Theatre, additional courses may be required. 
     • Graduate Assistantship Applications (graduate students)
2. Visit Campus. We recommend a campus visit to interview with faculty, tour facilities, meet students and, when possible, see a production. If you prefer to audition/interview on campus without submitting materials online via ACCEPTD, you may do that by contacting:
   
   1. Undergraduate Programs: Matt Nesmith at 605-677-5905 or Matthew.Nesmith@usd.edu 
   2. Graduate Programs: Raimondo Genna at 605-677-5735 or Raimondo.Genna@usd.edu
3. Submit Your Audition Online. We have partnered with ACCEPTD, an online service that makes it possible for us to preview your audition and application materials (see below). The upload fee is $25 payable to ACCEPTD.

   1. 		Get started here.

Audition/Interview Requirements:

Undergraduate Students:

• All applicants should include a headshot/photo and resume
• B.F.A. Acting: Two contrasting one-minute monologues
• B.F.A. Design/Technology: Portfolio featuring examples of creative and/or technical work
• B.F.A. Musical Theatre:
• • 16-32 bars from two contrasting songs (one up-tempo musical theatre song and one musical theatre ballad)
  • One one-minute contemporary monologue
• B.F.A. Theatre: Follow instructions for either Acting or Design/Technology

Graduate Students:

• All applicants should include a resume and statement of professional objectives
• M.F.A. Design/Technology: Portfolio featuring examples of creative and/or technical work
• M.F.A. Directing:
• • Written statement of directorial approach to a full-length play
  • Sample pages (scene) from a work script/promptbook
  • If available, video from a scene directed
• M.A. Theatre: A writing sample demonstrating academic research 

Questions:

 If you have any questions about the audition process, please contact:

• Undergraduate Programs: Matt Nesmith at 605-677-5905 or Matthew.Nesmith@usd.edu 
• Graduate Programs: Raimondo Genna at 605-677-5735 or Raimondo.Genna@usd.edu

 

1.