Drama Audition Information - Graduate Application

Graduate programs in the School of Drama are limited to full-time students only; students remain in the program only so long as the graduate faculty agrees that continued training at Carnegie Mellon will result in significant progress towards a professional career. Except in special circumstances, as determined by the graduate faculty, transfer credit is not given for graduate work done elsewhere. GRE test scores are not required.

International students: In accordance with university policy, foreign students must offer evidence of their ability to meet the expenses of tuition, room, board and other material needs when applying. Non-native English-speaking applicants are required to take the TOEFL examination. The University may also require applicants to take additional English proficiency tests to ensure that all students have sufficient language skills to pursue graduate level studies. Depending on the results of these tests, the School of Drama may require applicants to complete further classes in English prior to enrolling.
For more information about international admission and immigration, please contact the CMU Office of International Education.

Applicants should know that the following application materials must be received no later than January 1, 2010:

Carnegie Mellon School of Drama Audition Schedule for Admission into 2010-2011 Academic Year In the options of Directing, Design, and PTM, applicants are required to interview with faculty. Interviews are conducted on campus and around the country on the following dates in 2009-2010:   City Date Directing Design/PTM   Pittsburgh Sunday 11/8/09 ✓ ✓ Saturday 1/23/10 ✓ ✓ Sunday 1/24/10 ✓ ✓   New York Thursday 1/28/10 Friday 1/29/10 Saturday 1/30/10 ✓ ✓ Sunday 1/31/10 ✓ ✓   Chicago Monday 2/1/10 ✓ ✓ Tuesday 2/2/10 ✓ ✓ Wednesday 2/3/10   Los Angeles Sunday 2/7/10 ✓ ✓ Monday 2/8/10 ✓   Pittsburgh Saturday 2/13/10 ✓ ✓ Sunday 2/14/10 ✓ ✓ Saturday 2/20/10 ✓ ✓ Sunday 2/21/10 ✓ ✓ Saturday 2/27/10 ✓ ✓ Sunday 2/28/10 ✓ ✓ Pittsburgh Auditions Check in is at: Rm. 321 - Purnell Center for the Arts Carnegie Mellon University 5000 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213 New York Auditions The Ripley Grier Studios 520 8th Avenue 16th Floor Chicago Auditions The Palmer House Hilton 17 E. Monroe Street Los Angeles Auditions The Westin Los Angeles Airport 5400 West Century Boulevard Directing Daily Schedule 9:00 AM Undergraduates 9:30 AM Undergraduates 10:00 AM Undergraduates 10:30 AM Undergraduates 11:00 AM Undergraduates 11:30 AM Undergraduates 12:00 PM Break 1:00 PM Graduates   Design/PTM Daily Schedule 9:00 AM Undergraduates 9:30 AM Undergraduates 10:00 AM Undergraduates 10:30 AM Undergraduates 11:00 AM Undergraduates 11:30 AM Undergraduates 12:00 PM Break 1:00 PM Undergraduates 1:30 PM–Later Graduates

To arrange an interview

Please email Dick Block rblock@andrew.cmu.edu. Please include the City and Date in your request as well as your field of study: Costume Design, Sound Design, Set Design, Lighting Design, Technical Direction, Stage Management, Production Management, or Directing.

Graduate Dramatic Writing applicants will be contacted if chosen to interview.

All application materials should be mailed to:

Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Dick Block
Purnell Center for the Arts
Carnegie Mellon University Office Admission
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890

Voice: (412) 268-7219
Fax: (412) 621-0281
Email: rblock@andrew.cmu.edu

What to prepare for your audition/interview

Directing Interview/Audition

To apply to the Directing Option, bring a statement to the audition describing why you are pursuing this line of study including your interests and aspirations, and a critical analysis of key productions you have directed to date. Bring any videos (on DVD), annotated scripts, design portfolio, dramatic writing, photography or any other evidence of your creative life. These materials will be reviewed briefly at the audition, but will be discussed at length if the applicant is invited to the second phase of the audition process.

Design Option Application Materials

If you are applying for the Drama Design Option, you must demonstrate basic proficiency in drawing, painting and design by submitting a portfolio of your work. The portfolio should include about 15 items of work in several art media and techniques. Not all samples of your work have to pertain to the theatre.
We'd like to see examples of:
Use of color
Line drawing
Drafting
Mechanical drawing

Dramatic Writing

Dramatic Writing applicants must send two script submissions, a full length and short, in addition to all university and school applications. Please contact Dick Block at rblock@andrew.cmu.edu or (412) 268-7219.

Production Technology & Management Application

If you are applying for the Production Technology & Management Option, you should already have practical experience in the theatre, as well as some background in mathematics and physics, organization and management, or both. You must demonstrate basic proficiency in project planning and execution by submitting a portfolio of your work. The portfolio should include up to 15 examples of work. Not all samples of your work have to pertain directly to the theatre.
We'd like to see examples of:
Evidence of your thought process for technical or management solutions
Drafting, drawing or CAD
Paperwork you've used/developed for schedules, reports, budgets, estimates, etc.
Photos of work both finished and in process

Other questions about the admissions process? Contact Us