Admissions

In order to pursue the B.F.A. in Theatre at SMU, applicants must apply and be admitted to ÃÛÌÒ½´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 ÃÛÌÒ½´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 2025-26

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. Please note that there are different audition dates and times for the B.F.A. in Theatre - Musical Theatre Specialization and the B.F.A. in Theatre - Acting or Theatre Studies Specializations.

For the audition, candidates should prepare:  

  • A headshot and resume  
  • An introductory slate (introduce yourself and the pieces you will be performing)  
  • Two contrasting monologues from contemporary plays  
  • 16 bars of one song (please note that the song must be unaccompanied)  

The total length of both pieces and the song should not exceed five (5) minutes. Auditions will also include an interview either in-person or virtually. Candidates interested in design, directing, playwriting, stage management or other areas of theatre are encouraged (but not required) to submit through the application status page following submission of this application or to bring portfolios or supplemental materials in addition to presenting their auditions. All auditions will be recorded. Submit your completed Meadows Theatre Application and audition registration at least three days prior to your audition date, unless the applicant is participating in a third-party audition.

On Campus Auditions

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, December 5, 2025

1 – 4 p.m. CT

Saturday, December 6, 2025

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. CT

Friday, February 13, 2026

1 – 4 p.m. CT

Saturday, February 14, 2026

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 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.

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.

Virtual Auditions via Zoom

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 15, 2025

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT

Friday, January 23, 2026

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT

Sunday, February 8, 2026

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT

Saturday, February 28, 2026

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

Unified Auditions

New York Unifieds @ Pearl Studios

  • January 24-25, 2026
  • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. ET

Chicago Unifieds @ Palmer House

  • February 2-5, 2026 
  • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. CT

Los Angeles Unifieds @ Westin LAX

  • Saturday, February 7, 2026
  • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. PT

Sunday, February 8, 2026

  • 1 – 3 p.m. PT

Third-Party Auditions: Conference and Area Auditions

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 6, 2025
Florida Theatre Conference: November 7-9, 2025
Greater Houston Area Auditions: November 23, 2025

Musical Theatre candidates must submit a pre-screen video for consideration to audition live or virtually. Pre-screen submissions will be reviewed, and those invited to audition will be notified with scheduling instructions. Notifications are typically sent in mid-November and mid-December (respectively).

All Musical Theatre applicants wishing to participate in a live audition in:

  • November and December must first submit a pre-screening video by November 1 (11:59 p.m. EST)
  • January or February must first submit a pre-screening video by December 15 (11:59 p.m. EST) 

The pre-screen video must include:

  • An introductory slate (introduce yourself and the pieces you will be performing)
  • One contemporary monologue
  • Two full musical theatre songs

We suggest that large video files be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo and linked within the Meadows Portfolio tab of the application.

For applicants that pass the required pre-screen, an application status page will populate with a checklist item to Schedule Audition with a link to the audition calendar. From there, applicants will be able to request the preferred audition date from those available on the calendar, as well as utilize the status page for additional information.

For the audition, candidates should prepare:

  • A headshot and resume (uploaded to this application and a physical copy in your audition)
  • An introductory slate (introduce yourself and the pieces you will be performing)
  • Two contrasting monologues from contemporary plays
  • Three full musical theatre songs with properly marked sheet music. Candidates are required to perform one song but need to prepare the other two in case the admission committee wants to hear additional materials.
  • To participate in a 90-minute dance call*

*Virtual Auditions or Unified Auditions - Candidates interested in virtual or Unified audition must prepare the above but need to also submit a recorded dance combination no later than the day before their scheduled audition in place of the dance call. We suggest that large video files be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo and linked within the Meadows Portfolio tab of the application.

On Campus Auditions

All candidates auditioning on campus will participate in the morning dance call (9:30am-11:00am CT) and then are free until their scheduled audition time.

Saturday, November 22, 2025

12 p.m – 8 p.m. CT

Saturday, December 6, 2025

12 p.m – 8 p.m. CT

Saturday, February 14, 2026

12 p.m – 8 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.

Virtual Audition via Zoom

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 10 minutes for each applicant.

Candidates interested in virtual audition need to submit a recorded dance combination no later than the day before their scheduled audition in place of the dance call. We suggest that large video files be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo and linked within the Meadows Portfolio tab of the application.  

Saturday, January 17, 2026

9 a.m - 12 p.m and 1 p.m - 6:30 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 connectionshould contact the Meadows Admission office for information about audition options: meadowsadmission@smu.edu

Unified Auditions

New York Unifieds @ Pearl Studios

January 24-25, 2026

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

Chicago Unifieds @ Palmer House

February 2-5, 2026 

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

Los Angeles Unifieds @ Westin LAX

February 7-8, 2026

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

Third- Party Auditions: Conference and Area Auditions

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.

Moonified Auditions: November 20-21, 2025

  • 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 ÃÛÌÒ½´and to Meadows Division of Theatre have the option of beginning their ÃÛÌÒ½´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 ÃÛÌÒ½´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 ÃÛÌÒ½´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 ÃÛÌÒ½´and therefore have not received your ÃÛÌÒ½´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 “2026,” then in the drop-down menu select “Meadows Theatre Application.” Click on “Create application.”
  • Once you have started or submitted your ÃÛÌÒ½´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 ÃÛÌÒ½´and your Meadows applications.

Questions?

Contact us at: meadowsadmission@smu.edu
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