Admissions

In order to pursue the B.F.A. in Theatre at SMU, applicants must apply and be admitted to SMU and, in a separate application, to Meadows School of the Arts Division of Theatre. It is recommended that applicants apply to SMU and to Meadows at the same time. Registration for Theatre auditions is found within the Meadows Theatre Application. Read more about the auditions and how to access the Meadows Theatre Application below.

Pre-Audition Day Visit

We welcome all candidates to begin their visit to SMU on the Fridays preceding auditions, during the optional Pre-Audition Day Visit, to become better acquainted with our facilities, students and faculty before their audition experience. 

Audition types, dates, and deadlines for 2024-25

There are four types of auditions this year: on-campus auditions;, virtual auditions;, Unified auditions; and third-party auditions at conferences via various high schools. Registration for Theatre auditions is found within the online Meadows Theatre Application. See further below for info.

Submit your completed Meadows Theatre Application and audition registration at least 3 days prior to your audition date.

You will register for either a morning or afternoon audition. Each audition block lasts approximately three hours. Applicants arrive at the beginning of their time slot and will either be queued to be among the first group to audition or will go on a tour of Meadows while waiting for their audition time.

Friday, November 15, 2024

1– 4 p.m. CT

Friday, December 6, 2024

1– 4 p.m. CT 

Saturday, December 7, 2024

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1– 4 p.m. CT

Friday, February 14, 2025

1– 4 p.m. CT

Saturday, February 15, 2025

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1– 4 p.m. CT 

Because audition opportunities are in high demand, if you need to cancel a registration please refer to the audition confirmation email and find the cancellation link, or contact Meadows Admission to change or cancel your audition.

Submit your completed Meadows Theatre Application and audition registration at least three days prior to your audition date. When you register, you will be registering for a specific time slot. Auditions last about 15 minutes for each applicant.

Saturday, November 16, 2024

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT

Friday, January 24, 2025

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT

Sunday, February 9, 2025

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT

Saturday, March 1, 2025

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT

Because audition opportunities are in high demand, if you need to cancel a registration please refer to the audition confirmation email and find the cancellation link, or contact Meadows Admission to change or cancel your audition.

International applicants residing outside the U.S. who are without a reliable internet connection should contact the Meadows Admission office for information about audition options: meadowsadmission@smu.edu

New York Unifieds @ Pearl Studios

January 25, 2025

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET

January 26, 2025

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET

Chicago Unifieds @ Palmer House

February 3 – 6, 2025 - Monday through Thursday,

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. CT

Los Angeles Unifieds @ Westin LAX

Saturday, February 8, 2025

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. PT

Sunday, February 9, 2025

1 – 3 p.m. PT

Faculty will attend various theatre conferences across the country Candidates may be invited to a callback or asked to submit a Meadows Theatre Application and select the appropriate third-party audition option for immediate consideration.

South Texas Theatre Auditions: October 7

Harlem School of the Arts College Fair: October 19

Florida Theatre Conference: November 7-9

Greater Houston Area Auditions: November 24

All auditions will be recorded. First-year and transfer Theatre candidates should prepare two contrasting monologues from contemporary plays and 16 bars of one song, any genre. (The song must be sung a cappella, i.e., without music accompaniment.) The total length of both pieces and the song should not exceed five minutes. Auditions will also include an interview. All candidates must submit a headshot and résumé within the completed Meadows Theatre Application prior to audition day. (Applicants may also bring a headshot and résumé to the audition if they want.) Completed Meadows Theatre Applications are due at least three days prior to the applicant’s audition day, unless the applicant is participating in a third-party audition.

Candidates interested in design, directing, playwriting, stage management or other areas of theatre are encouraged (but not required) bring a portfolio or supplemental materials to their audition.

  • Transfer students must audition during the regular audition season as posted.
  • All new Theatre students are required to begin their Theatre courses in the fall semester.
  • Transfer students who apply to enroll in the spring semester who are accepted to both SMU and to Meadows Division of Theatre have the option of beginning their SMU Common Curriculum studies in the spring semester, then begin their Theatre coursework the following fall semester.
  • Please note that transfer students pursuing the Acting track will need a minimum of six semesters at SMU to complete the Theatre degree.

How to access the Meadows Theatre Application portal

The information below helps applicants navigate to the online Meadows Theatre Application. Please read, then find the application portal at the end of this section:

  • When you click on the “Start Your Meadows Application” button below, you are taken to a page titled “Your Application to SMU.”
    • If you have already submitted an SMU application and have previously logged in to your personal status page, click “Log in” under “Returning Users,” using the same username and password.

      If you have not yet applied to SMU and therefore have not received your SMU personal status page login credentials, see “First-time users” and click on “Create an account” to log in.

    • After logging in, scroll to the bottom of that page and click “Start New Application.”
  • In “Select application type,” choose “2025,” then in the drop-down menu select “Meadows Theatre Application.” Click on “Create application.”
  • Once you have started or submitted your SMU and your Meadows Theatre Application, you will be able to access your status page using your login credentials. At the top-right of the status page you will see a small toggle arrow where you can toggle between your SMU and your Meadows applications.

Questions?

Contact us at: meadowsadmission@smu.edu
214-768-3217
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