Auditions and Getting Involved

There are two different types of auditions regularly held in the SRU Theatre Department: auditions for entry into our BFA-degree granting programs AND auditions for SRU students who want to perform in our productions. Each type of audition has very different requirements. Please read on for specific information about each.

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BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (BFA) PROGRAM AUDITIONS:

BFA Musical Theatre Audition Schedule and Guidelines
BFA Acting Audition Schedule and Guidelines

If you are a prospective student considering attending SRU, please note that a successful audition is required for acceptance into our BFA Acting: Musical Theatre and BFA Acting: Acting programs. Current audition requirements can be viewed at the links above or by visiting the Acceptd website and clicking on the Resources tab.

If you are an already-enrolled, continuing SRU student who is interested in declaring or switching to one of the Theatre BFA programs, reach out to BFATheatre@sru.edu for specific guidance and instructions.

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There are 2 steps to enrolling in one of Slippery Rock University’s BFA Acting programs - admission to the university and acceptance to the BFA program.

Step 1: Admission to Slippery Rock University.

Complete the SRU application process. ($30 application fee)

SRU uses a rolling-admission process so there is no university application deadline but students should complete the application process to SRU by December 1 in order to be eligible for BFA early-decisions and the widest variety of callbacks, scholarships, and on-campus housing.

Step 2: Acceptance to the BFA program through the SRU Theatre Department.

Complete the audition prescreen and callback process. ($35 audition application fee through Acceptd.com)
Prescreen auditions must be submitted virtually (via Acceptd) or completed via a unified audition no later than JANUARY 11, 2026.
Students who pass the prescreen phase must be admitted to the university before a callback invitation will be sent.
On-campus callback auditions will be held on a variety of dates through 2025-2026 and are by invitation only.
SRU will also be participating in Chicago Unified and New York Unifieds this year.
SRU is using the Musical Theatre Common Prescreen for all Musical Theatre applicants.
Visit the Acceptd page for more details.

BFA acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis so students are encouraged to audition as early as possible.

BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA) PROGRAMS:

Please Note that our BA degree-granting programs DO NOT require an audition. ONLY our BFA programs require students to audition to enroll.

Our Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs in Design/Technology, Theatre Arts Management, Theatre Studies, or Acting can be selected by admitted SRU students at any time. Please reach out to the individuals listed below if you have any questions about these programs or would like to schedule a facilities tour or classroom visitation.

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AUDITIONS, PRODUCTION CREWS, and PAID POSITIONS FOR CURRENT STUDENTS

Currently enrolled SRU students can participate in our theatre productions in a variety of ways:

Acting

Auditions for all mainstage and second-stage productions are open to only Theatre Majors and Minors.

Brave New Season and the Play Reading auditions are open to all SRU students. Audition notices will be posted around campus and on CORE.

Backstage and Front-of-House: Design, Construction, Stage Crew, Stage Management, and Box Office

Students interested in costume design and construction should consider enrolling in THEA 235: Costume Technology and THEA 335 Costume Design and should contact Rebecca Morrice for more information.

Students interested in lighting, scenic design and construction, sound, and stage management should consider enrolling in THEA 132 Stagecraft and THEA 215 Drawing/Drafting/CAD and should contact Samantha Kuchta for more information.

Students interested in box office, front-of-house, dramaturgy, and usher positions should consider enrolling in THEA 159 Introduction to Theatre Arts Management and should contact Dr. Kari-Anne Innes for more information.

Paid Shop Positions

Students interested in our paid student stuff positions in the Costume Shop, Scene Shop, and Box Office should visit Handshake and search for currently available Theatre positions.

Contact Information

Questions about our programs can be directed to the individuals below:

BFA Acting: Musical Theatre and Acting Programs - a.galligan-stierle@sru.edu
BA Theatre: Acting – laura.smiley@sru.edu & kari-anne.innes@sru.edu
BA Theatre: Theatre Arts Management and Theatre Studies – kari-anne.innes@sru.edu
BA Theatre: Design & Technology – samantha.kuchta@sru.edu & rebecca.morrice@sru.edu
BA Theatre: Theatre Minor – rebecca.morrice@sru.edu