Performance: Acting - BFA

Submit a recent 8x10 photograph of yourself.

 Please save the image as a .pdf file and upload it per these submission instructions.

The audition panel uses your written statements to learn more about you as an individual and gain a sense of who you are beyond your application, transcript and audition. Each written statement should be 350 words or less, typed and in English. It must be your own original work. Please save all 4 written statements into one single .pdf file.

Write a short (350 words or less) written response to each of these questions. You should have one statement per question: 

1. Tell us about who you are. How would your family, friends and/or members of your community describe you?
2. Why have you decided to become an actor and why do you think it’s necessary to perform in today’s world? 
3. In your opinion, what is the most important aspect of working in a group?
4. Explain how you responded to a problem and/or an unfamiliar situation. What did you do, what was the outcome and what did you learn from the experience?

Please list one private link (without a password) to a website (YouTube, Vimeo, personal site) that has your 2 monologue audition pieces and personal video. Please provide a link to your work in a .pdf file and upload this file (use these submission instructions). Please ensure the link works and doesn't expire. Your application won't be considered if the link you provided doesn't work.

In one video you are to include Speech A, Speech B, and your personal video (refer to the details below). Introduce each speech with your full name, pronouns if it's safe for you to do so, hometown, age and last school of attendance. Include the name of the play the speech is from, the writer of the speech and the name of the character you're playing (if applicable).

Video specifications:

• Background: If possible, choose a wide-open space that you can move around in for your speech. Some people find a neutral background useful.
• Lighting: Try to ensure that your face is well-lit with no stark contrast and dark shadows.
• Sound: Please check your digital recording to make sure that you can be heard.
• Size of shot (please refrain from using close-up shots): 
  • Speech A: Use a full shot for your poetic speech.
  • Speech B: Use a full or medium shot for your contemporary speech.
• Length: Your video should be no longer than 5 minutes. The panel may stop watching if your recording exceeds this time. 
• Movement: We encourage you to use the full capacity of your body and to move freely within the architecture of your space when making your digital recordings.

Speech A – Poetic monologue (2 minutes maximum)

The audition piece should be in poetic form using heightened language. This is a piece in which words are chosen for their sound and suggestive power as opposed to a naturalistic speech. While it need not be originally written in English, we ask that you perform an English translation for your poetic monologue. There's no boundary in time period, culture or form (as long as it’s poetic) in which you choose this speech from. For example, Shakespeare, Tang Zianzu, Kae Tempest, Aleshea Harris, Ocean Vuong, The Mahabharata, Suzan-Lori Parks, Matthew Mackenzie and Joseph A. Dandurand are all appropriate choices.

Speech B – Contemporary monologue (2 minutes maximum)

The contemporary piece should provide a clear contrast to your poetic piece. It ideally uses naturalistic speech and was written after 1960.

Personal video (one minute maximum)

A one-minute video about something (other than acting) that you are especially passionate about. Consider why it's important to you and how it brings you joy. Record a snippet of a song you love, a rant about something you're passionate about, share a painting you made, a tour of your kitchen - anything that will better help us know you!

Select applicants will receive an invitation (by email) to participate in a callback audition with other applicants to the program. Callbacks will take place between March and April and only those selected will receive an email invitation. The callback will occur on campus. Please dress in athletic wear for movement and be prepared to stay for the entire day.

In addition to repeating Speech B, we may also ask for a new speech and/or for you to memorize a short scene. There will also be classes/workshops for candidates to participate in, as well as a tour of the campus. Further details will be provided in the invitation email.

The callback may include opportunities to get to know other applicants, faculty and students currently in the program. You may work individually, in pairs, in groups and as an ensemble for performance creation, group discussions and embodied sequences. The callback will give you an opportunity to better understand our school and what to expect from our training.

Please note: you may be requested to attend a short interview after your callback (from 6-8 p.m.). Applicants will be notified of their requirement to attend an interview at the end of their callback day.

Zoom or Google Meet option

For those who live out-of-province, arrangements can be made to attend an online callback audition on Google Meet or Zoom. Further details will be provided in the callback invitation email.

If you're applying for readmission or reinstatement, you may not be required to submit non-academic requirements. You must inform Undergraduate Admissions of your intentions.

 Contact the ServiceHub at 416-979-5036 and ask to speak with the admissions officer by February 1, 2026, or 10 business days from your application submission date (whichever comes later).