Admission to the Acting BFA Program

To be admitted to the BFA in Acting, applicants must both be accepted academically to Southeast Missouri State University and separately audition for and be admitted to the Acting BFA program.

You can apply academically to Southeast either on Common app or through the university portal. After applying, be sure to check out the Office of Admissions for next steps.

Instructions on how to apply for the Acting BFA program are below. 

BFA Early Decision

If an applicant wishes to be considered for Early Decision, they must submit their application and complete their audition (either in person or by video submission) by December 2, 2025.

Early Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision in mid-December. By applying for Early Decision, applicants agree to enroll in the Dobbins Conservatory if they are accepted.

BFA Regular Decision

Regular Decision applicants must submit their application by February 28, 2026. All Regular Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision by mid-March.

BFA Application

All BFA applicants should register to audition via Acceptd after applying to the university academically. On Acceptd, you will be required to submit: 

• Basic personal and contact information
• A headshot (it need not be professional, so long as it is a good photo of you)
• A resume that includes the roles you have played, any formal training you have, and any awards or recognitions you have received
• You will also be asked to either select an in-person audition date or submit video audition materials to Acceptd.

Guidelines for Auditions

In-Person Auditions

Acting BFA applicants will be asked to present two 60-second contrasting contemporary monologues from a published play. ("Contemporary" means written between 1900 and the present.)

Applicants will also have the opportunity to tour the Conservatory’s facilities, take a masterclass, and speak with faculty on the audition day.

Applications must be submitted at least five days before the requested in-person audition day.

Video Auditions

Applicants may also audition via video submission. These videos are not a pre-screen, but will represent the applicant's full audition. Conservatory faculty may contact applicants who submit video auditions to interview or work material virtually.

Video auditions should be prepared as follows:

Overall

• A complete video audition submission includes submitting the completed application on Acceptd and two 60-second contrasting contemporary monologues from a published play. ("Contemporary" means written between 1900 and the present)
• Each monologue should be filmed and uploaded as a separate piece. No continuous videos.
• The 60-second time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to. 
• Monologue framing should be filmed from just above the top of the head to mid-chest.

Slate

• Slates should be stated at the beginning of each piece.
• The proper slate for each monologue is to state your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.

Wild Card Video (optional)

• You may submit an additional video highlighting a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, a musical instrument you play, etc. What would you want us to know about you that makes you unique?

BFA Interviews

Applicants may be contacted to arrange a remote interview and/or work virtually with the Dobbins Conservatory faculty.

Admission to the Musical Theatre BFA Program

To be admitted to the BFA in Musical Theatre, applicants must both be accepted academically to SEMO and separately audition for and be admitted to the Musical Theatre BFA program.

You can apply academically to SEMO either on Common app or through the university portal. After applying, be sure to check out the Office of Admissions for next steps.

Instructions on how to apply for the Musical Theatre BFA program are below. 

BFA Early Decision

If an applicant wishes to be considered for Early Decision, they must submit their application and complete their audition (either in person or by video submission) by December 2, 2025.

Early Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision in mid-December. By applying for Early Decision, applicants agree to enroll in the Dobbins Conservatory if they are accepted.

BFA Regular Decision

Regular Decision applicants must submit their application by February 28, 2026. All Regular Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision in mid-March.

BFA Application

A link to the online application form can be found at the bottom of this page. This audition form will ask you to submit:

• Basic personal and contact information
• A headshot (it need not be professional, so long as it is a good photo of you)
• A resume that includes the roles you have played, any formal training you have, and any awards or recognitions you have received
• You will also be asked to either select an in-person audition date or submit video audition materials to Acceptd.

Guidelines for Musical Theatre BFA Auditions

In-Person Auditions

Applicants will also have the opportunity to tour the Conservatory’s facilities, speak with faculty, and take a masterclass on the audition day.

Applications must be submitted at least five days before the requested in-person audition day.

The audition will consist of:

Two Contrasting Songs

Musical Theatre BFA applicants will be asked to present cuts (of up to 90 seconds) of two contrasting songs. One should be written before 1970, and one should be written after 1970. Styles may include musical theater, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc. 

One Monologue

The monologue should be from a published contemporary play (written after 1900) and run between 60 and 90 seconds.

Dance Call

Applicants will work with a faculty member to learn and perform a jazz combination in a modified classroom setting. No prepared material is required.

Video Auditions

Applicants may also audition via video submission. These videos are not a pre-screen, but will represent the applicant's full audition. Conservatory faculty may contact applicants who submit video auditions to interview or work material virtually.

Video auditions should be prepared as follows, and uploaded to Acceptd:

Overall

• A complete video audition submission includes two songs, one monologue, and a dance sample.
• Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e., smartphones, tablets, etc.)

Slate

• Slates should be stated at the beginning of each piece.
• The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song title, and the show in which it appears.
• The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.
• Applicants do not need to slate in any dance media.

Songs

Please submit two contrasting songs.

• One song should have been written before 1970. 
• One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
• Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to)
• Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No a cappella singing (meaning singing without music).
• Songs should be filmed in a ¾ shot, which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.

Monologue

Please submit one (1) contemporary monologue (written after 1900).

• Monologues must be from a published play.
• Monologues cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies.
• The file should be 60-90 seconds in length (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to).
• Monologue framing should be filmed from just above the top of the head to mid-chest.

Dance

Please submit 30-60 seconds of dance in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident. This may include, but is not limited to, jazz, ballet, tap, modern, cultural dance styles, hip hop, lyrical, or contemporary.

• Please do not submit barre work.
• Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well.
• Dance media can be self-choreographed, but must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance, so long as you are featured on your own.
• All choreography must be performed to music.
• All dance media should be filmed in a full-body shot, taking care to keep the student’s entire body in the frame at all times.
• Applicants do not need to slate in any dance media.
• Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be character-driven and connected to the music, where the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose.

BFA Interviews

Applicants may be contacted to arrange a remote interview and/or work virtually with the Dobbins Conservatory faculty.

BFA Early Decision

If an applicant wishes to be considered for Early Decision, they must submit their portfolio and complete their interview (either in person or by video submission) by December 2, 2025.

Early decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision in mid-December. By applying for Early Decision, applicants agree to enroll in the Dobbins Conservatory if they are accepted.

BFA Regular Decision

Regular Decision applicants must submit their application by March 14, 2026. All Regular Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision on a rolling basis.

BFA Application

A link to the online application form on Acceptd can be found at the bottom of this page. This application form will ask you to submit:

• Basic personal and contact information
• A photo of you (it need not be professional)
• A resume that includes the design positions, crew and leadership positions, any formal training you have, and any awards or recognitions you have received
• A brief written description of your career goals (250 words or fewer)
• A link to a website, video presentation, or portfolio file

You will also be asked to either select an in-person interview date or schedule a virtual interview.

Guidelines for Design and Technology BFA Interviews

In-Person Interviews

Applicants will also have the opportunity to tour the Conservatory’s facilities and speak with faculty on the interview day.

The interview will consist of:

A Portfolio Presentation/Review

Applicants should present a portfolio. The portfolio may consist of but is not limited to: drawings, drafting, costume pieces, scenic models, video editing, soundscapes, process pictures, photography, or other forms of demonstration of skill and interest in a digital format.

Interview

A brief question and answer period with Design and Technology Faculty and Staff.

Video Interview

Applicants may also interview virtually. This represents the applicant's full interview. It is possible that Conservatory faculty will contact applicants who submit virtually to request additional material.  It is highly recommended that students arrange for a campus tour if at all possible.

Virtual interviews should be prepared as follows:

Overall

• A link to a website, video presentation, or portfolio file

The portfolio may consist of but is not limited to: drawings, drafting, costume pieces, scenic models, video editing, soundscapes, process pictures, photography, or other forms of demonstration of skill and interest in a digital format.

• A virtual interview via Zoom with Design and Technology Faculty and Staff Members

Audition Preparation (on-campus)

• Arrive at least 30 minutes before the audition to sign-in, change, and warm up.
• Prepare a 90 second solo in the dance form of your choice. The solo can feature the choreography of the applicant or another choreographer and should highlight the dancer’s technical strengths and performance ability.
• Bring music for your solo (ie: iPod, iPhone, MP3 player with a CD as a backup). Remove your passcode from your phone before the audition.
• Attire Requirements: solid-colored leotard or tank top, pink or black tights, ballet and jazz shoes. If you are comfortable en pointe, please bring your shoes should you be requested to wear them. No warm-ups, skirts or jewelry. Hair must be secured away from face and neck.

Video Auditions

An in-person audition is preferred but should a student not be able to attend any of the scheduled auditions, they may select submission of a video audition on the application form.

Video Submission Guidelines:

• Complete the application selecting “Video” from the list of audition dates.
• Submit audition video link on the application form via a link to YouTube, Dropbox, Vimeo etc.
• Video must include the following:
  • Brief introduction stating your name and your interest in The Conservatory Dance Program
  • Short Ballet Barre: pliés, battement tendu/dégagé, ronde de jambe, frappé, grande battement
  • Ballet Center Work: tendu with port de bras, adagio, waltz combination with pirouettes, petite allégro and grand allégro
  • Pointe work (if applicable)
  • One phrase (at least 16 counts) of modern dance material
  • One phrase (at least 16 counts) of jazz dance material
  • Choreographed solo 90 seconds in length in any dance style
• NO STAGE PERFORMANCE VIDEOS WILL BE ACCEPTED
• Your recorded audition MUST include all three technique styles; ballet, modern and jazz
• Dancers must wear the same dance attire throughout the video
• Video audition submissions must be received by February 1 for scholarship consideration.