• Male student performing on stage

    Apply and Audition Today!

  • Classroom activity of students standing together in a circle

    Affordable Education!

  • Two women on stage during a theatre production

    Professional Mentorship!

  • Students rehearsing for a production

    Build a Creative Future!

Performing Arts Talent Scholarships

Unlock your creative future with a talent scholarship!

Your creative future starts at Detroit Mercy by earning a B.A. degree with a major in theatre! Join us as we DISCOVER new worlds and places that look just like our own. Learn by COLLABORATING and exploring diverse perspectives with courage and compassion. Develop diverse SKILLS leading towards many different career paths. Experience how MENTORSHIP is at the cornerstone of our program and the launching pad for a network full of connections and opportunities.  Be amazed as you apply classroom theory to stage-time practice while creating transformative experiences that lead to FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES.

Before auditioning take a close look at our department brochure that highlights our core concepts that you will learn while a student at Detroit Mercy.   Click here to view our Department Brochure!

Are you ready for your creative future to begin?  

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    Step One: Apply

    Apply to the University of Detroit Mercy using the free online application and declare Theatre as your major.

    Please remember to upload:
    1. High School Transcript
    2. ACT/SAT Scores (Optional)
    3. Essay (250+ Words/No Prompt)
    4. Two Letters of Recommendation
    5. Resume
    6. Headshot

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    Step Two: Audition

    Audition at a Theatre Festival

    The Department of Performing Arts will be attending the college auditions at the following festivals:

    Michigan Educational Thespian Festival Dec. 8-9, 2023 in Lansing, Michigan

    Indiana Educational Thespian Festival January 19-20, 2024

    If you are attending a festival and interested in Detroit Mercy, please stop by our information table at the festival and speak with a representative.

    If you received a Talent Scholarship at a Festival:

    Step One: Apply for admission to University of Detroit Mercy.

    Apply for free using the Common App or at www.udmercy.edu/apply In your application, declare Theatre as your major.

    Step Two: Submit your scholarship certificate.

    Email a copy of your scholarship certificate to admissions@udmercy.edu to accept the offer by March 1, 2024. Admissions will work with Financial Aid to develop a full financial aid packet that will include this scholarship. Other scholarships and opportunities may be available based on your GPA, transcript and other factors.

     

    Audition or Interview Online

    Email Video Submission (For Actors)

    Your video should include an introduction, letting us know your name, your high school, and the play and playwright for your two audition pieces. Please view the above video to assist you in creating your email video submission. Audition pieces must meet the following requirements:

    1. Perform two memorized contrasting monologues (comic/serious, contemporary/historical). Pieces must be from published plays or musicals. Film and television monologues will not be accepted. Please contact the Performing Arts Department if you need assistance in finding monologues.
    2. Afterwards, please discuss your theatre passion. Why are you interested in majoring in theatre? How could you change the world with a degree in theatre? What are your dreams?

    Email Video Submission (Non-Actors)

    For all non-actors, your video should include an introduction, letting us know your name and your high school. Also, please prepare a testimonial about your passion for theatre. Why are you interested in majoring in theatre? How could you change the world with a degree in theatre? What are your dreams?

    While stage managers, technicians, designers, theatre managers, and undecided theatre students do not have to perform monologues, they do need to upload a letter of recommendation from a theatre teacher or qualified professional that speaks about the student’s strengths.

    How to submit your email video audition?

    1. Submit your video audition by emailing us at theatre@udmercy.edu. We accept video files and YouTube links to your video.
    2. We will confirm that we received your video and pair it with youronline application to Detroit Mercy.

    a Self-Taped Audition for college

     

    Audition or Interview On Campus

    Schedule a Detroit Mercy campus visit that will include an audition and interview with the Department of Performing Arts faculty and staff. To schedule a visit, please emailtheatre@udmercy.edu.

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    Step Three: Attend a Visit Day

    You’re invited to attend a Visit Day, which provides an opportunity to tour campus, explore academic programs, and meet professors at Detroit Mercy. Consider attending the Visit Day on Monday, February 19, 2024!  Sign up today at apply.udmercy.edu/portal/visit.

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    Step Four: Experience Theatre at Detroit Mercy!

    You are invited to attend a production at The Marlene Boll Theatre!  Tour the facilities and meet our team of student and professional and artists before seeing a performance. Free tickets are available for you and your guests.  Come see where your creative future can take you!  

    Consider attending Photograph 51 running February 9-18, 2024, or The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)[revised][again] on April 12-21, 2024!   For tickets, email theatre@udmercy.edu. 

     

    Season 53 plays frog and toad, photograph 51 and william shakespeare

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    Step Five: Enter the Performing Arts Distinguished Artist Scholarship Competition

    Step into the spotlight with the Performing Arts Distinguished Artist Scholarship Competition, where dreams take center stage and talent earns its well-deserved encore. This prestigious competition invites aspiring theatre artists to showcase their skills and passion through auditions or interviews, offering a golden opportunity to claim the spotlight and receive a remarkable 100% full-time undergraduate tuition scholarship.

     

    In person auditions and interviews: April 13, 2024

     To secure your audition slot, email theatre@udmercy.edu or call 313-993-3270

     

    Requirements:

    • Must apply and be accepted into Detroit Mercy to major in Theatre by March 1, 2024.
    • Must file a free application for Federal Student Aid by March 1, 2024.
    • This award would replace any other institutional aid the student already received.
    • Audition or interview on April 13, 2024. Video auditions/interviews accepted.
    • Must maintain a 3.0 GPA and Theatre major while a student at Detroit Mercy. Other performing arts scholarships available up to $20,000 off tuition per year. 

    This scholarship offer replaces university aid previously awarded and can only be applied to the cost of full-time, undergraduate tuition beginning Fall 2024. Scholarship recipients must complete an application for admission, be regularly admitted to the Theatre program and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by March 1, 2024. Other restrictions may apply. See the full terms and conditions for renewal guidelines.

     

    An image of Tommy Titan and the University of Detroit Mercy logo. A seal that reads Earn 100% tuition! Header: Performing Arts Distinguished Artist Scholarhship Competition.. Unlock Your Future by earning 100%  full-time undergraduate Tuition!  Requirements: Must apply and be accepted into Detroit Mercy to major in Theatre by March 1, 2024.  Must file a free application for Federal Student Aid by March 1, 2024.  This award would replace any other institutional aid the student already received.  Interview and Audition on April 13, 2024 (video auditions accepted) . Must maintain a 3.0 GPA and Theatre major while a student at Detroit Mercy.  Other performing arts scholarships available up to $20,000 off tuition per year. More information can be found at www.udmercy.edu/auditions. in person auditions and interviews April 13, 2024. Video auditions accepted. To secure your audition slot, contact us at 313-993-3270 or email theatre@udmercy.edu. This scholarship offer replaces university aid previously awarded and can only be applied to the cost of full-time, undergraduate tuition beginning Fall 2024. Scholarship recipients must complete an application for admission, be regularly admitted to the Theatre program and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by March 1, 2024. Other restrictions may apply. See the full terms and conditions for renewal guidelines.

Need help finding a monologue?   Try these resources:

Suggested Plays:

The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson, Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph, Passover by Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu, Detroit ’67 by Dominique Morisseau,  The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse, The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence by Madeleine George, Born with Teeth by Liz Duffy Adams, Ohio State Murders by Adrienne Kennedy, Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck, The Heidi Chronicles by Wendy Wasserstein, Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan, Take Me Out by Richard Greenberg

Suggested Collections:

Humana Play Festival (Any Year), Exceptional Monologues for Men and Women (Volume 1 or Volume  2) by Samuel French Publishing, The Best Men’s Stage Monologues (Any Year) by Smith and Kraus Publishing or The Best Women’s Stage Monologues (Any Year) by Smith and Kraus Publishing