Admission to the Department of Theatre Arts
Prospective theatre arts majors must be admitted to the college before making application to the major. Entrance to the department for all students is through an interview, which includes a meeting between prospective students and theatre faculty. Interviews are conducted with students, in person, on the SUNY New Paltz campus. Students do not have to decide immediately what area of specialization they would like to pursue: theatre studies, design/technology or performance. The first year of the program requires all theatre arts majors to enroll in core courses that are related to each of these individual areas of specialization. Students may also specialize in more than one area. Please see the individual requirements below for each of the areas.
Once admitted to the college, students should call the Department of Theatre Arts and schedule an interview. Contact information is provided below. All prospective theatre arts majors who have been admitted to the college are asked to come to campus, attend an information session, participate in a series of short workshops, complete an interview, tour the department’s facilities and participate in the process described below of one of the areas of specialization described below. In addition, there is a concurrent information session for parents or guardians of prospective theatre arts majors. The next interview date for the department is:
Admission for SPRING 2013
Saturday, October 27, between 1 and 3 p.m. in Parker Theatre.
This is only for applicants who are planning on transferring to SUNY New Paltz for the Spring 2013 semester and students who are already enrolled here at the College.
Please note this is also the "Academic Open House Day" for the College.
Prospective students are encouraged to come to the campus that day to begin the process. However, if a student is unable to attend the interview that day, please call the department and we will try to accommodate your request for an interview and/or audition, if required, at an alternate day and time.
Admission for FALL 2013
High school seniors, first-year students and transfers without an associate degree who are applying for admission to the department in Fall 2013 should apply to the College first. Upon receiving confirmation of acceptance, please contact the department to reserve a spot for an interview and/or audition on one of the dates below.
Transfer students with associate degrees should apply to Admissions, but also contact the department directly to reserve a spot for one of the dates below. Admission to the College will be based on your interview and/or audition. See below for specific requirements.
The next interview dates for the department for Fall 2013 admission are:
Saturday, March 16, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Parker Theatre.
Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Parker Theatre
THEATRE STUDIES
1. Bring a portfolio that can be referred to in the interview.
The portfolio might include academic essays or research papers, a prompt book, a playwriting sample, program notes, play analysis, etc.
2. Provide an up-to-date resume.
3. Prepare a response to the following essay question:
Look at the productions scheduled for our current season. Choose one production and in 300 words tell us what might interest you about this production experience and how you imagine you might be involved in it.
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Bring a portfolio that can be referred to in the interview.
The portfolio, which should focus on the process, might include documentation from productions such as sketches, renderings, research, models, construction photos, sound and CAD files, etc. Any personal or class art projects (drawing, painting, digital art and sculpture) can be included and will be extremely helpful in evaluating the applicant’s overall experience and skills in the design/technology area. While final production photos are helpful, focus should be on the process. While artistry will be considered, we are far more interested in illustrations of your overall activity in technical theatre and/or design.
If you do not have a portfolio, please be prepared to talk about your interest, experience and aptitude for technical theatre.
2. Provide an up-to-date resume.
PERFORMANCE
1. Prepare an audition.
The audition material should be no longer than two minutes total. This may be either a monologue, classical or contemporary, or an excerpt from a song. If you choose to sing, please bring sheet music—an accompanist will be provided. Prepare your audition material thoroughly (you may use a coach) and select a piece that is simple, clear, and close to your own age and experience.
2. Provide a resume and, if possible, an 8 X 10 headshot.
For admissions information contact:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
SUNY New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive, Suite 1
New Paltz, NY 12561-2499
845-257-3200
admissions@newpaltz.edu
For program information contact:
Department of Theatre Arts
SUNY New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561-2443
845-257-3865
theatre@newpaltz.edu
