Frequently Asked Questions

What programs does the Performing Arts Department at Pace offer?
The Performing Arts Department at Pace currently offers BFA degrees in Acting, Musical Theater, and Commercial Dance. We also offer BA degrees in Acting or Directing as a part of the International Performance Ensemble, and a BA Design & Production for Theater, Film & Television.

What is the International Performance Ensemble?
The International Performance Ensemble incorporates BA Acting and Directing programs into ensembles – or companies – that enter into a year-long process of collaborative development and production of full-length plays. Students take Performance Ensemble courses in their first and third years, alongside other core program requirements such as Acting, Movement, Vocal Production, etc. This is a highly individualized and professionally guided program, unique in the landscape of performing arts programs in the U.S.

What is the most important factor when admitting a student into the program?
As an undergraduate training program, our applicant pool is diverse in experience, education, and exposure. We look for applicants who demonstrate talent and potential. Many factors in the audition process contribute to our decision.

How many theater/musical theater shows does Pace put up a year?
There are between 40 and 50 performance opportunities for Pace students each year. The Department of Performing Arts produces 4 full-length musicals, 4 full-length plays, and 2 major dance performances every year. The department also supports student directing projects and has two student-run theater organizations that produce around 12 performing opportunities each year. Additional programming each year includes: Pace New Musicals, Directors’ Festival, New Works Initiative (NWI), Pace at La MaMa, and the Pace Performing Arts Series.

What are the sizes of the BFA Musical Theater & the BFA Acting programs?
Each program admits between 25-30 students each year.

Is double majoring an option?
Double majoring may or may not be an option and ultimately depends on your program. Each program has sequential curriculum (particularly the BFA degrees) and may not allow time for classes in other majors. Many BFA and BA students manage to fit an academic minor into their schedules. Arts & Entertainment Management is a popular choice for many Performing Arts majors.

Are voice lessons available to students not enrolled in the Musical Theater program?
Unfortunately, our voice faculty serves the Musical Theater students only, but there are many opportunities to study voice in New York City outside of the Pace curriculum.

Does Pace have a cut system?
Pace does not have a cut system. The program relies on the constant contact and feedback of its faculty.

As far as performance experience, when is a student allowed to audition and/or be in a theater or dance production?
BFA Students are required to audition for campus productions beginning in the first semester of the freshman year. BA students in the International Performance Ensemble are required to participate in the shows they develop over the course of one year, resulting in multiple performances and the possibility of traveling internationally with their work. With faculty approval and support, all Performing Arts students are allowed to seek opportunities outside of school.

Is there a freshman or senior showcase?
Musical Theater students perform a freshman cabaret at the end of their Spring semester. Freshman BFA Acting students will perform in a scene festival at the end of their Spring semester. The students in the International Performance Ensemble will create and produce a traveling show at the end of their first year. Dance majors will have the opportunity to perform is the annual spring dance show “Dance Out Loud.” In addition, there is a Senior Showcase for the Musical Theater and Acting students, which attracts agents, directors, and managers from the New York theatre scene.

What is the dance program for MTs like? How often do MTs dance? What classes do they take?
Musical Theater students take courses in ballet, jazz, tap, theatre dance, and hip hop to name a few. There are a total of 8 required dance courses (one every semester) that Musical Theater students must complete over 4 years.

How long will my interview for Design & Production take?
Interviews are scheduled for 20 minutes. Please arrive ½ hour early and be prepared to stay ½ hour later if your interview runs long.

I want to be a Stage Manager. Which program should I apply for?
You should apply to the BA-Theater Arts-Design & Production concentration.

If I am Design and Production major, can I audition for shows?
No. Your time will be committed to working on production and design assignments.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Admission Process

All prospective Performing Arts students must submit an Application for Admission to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions before beginning the audition process. Your application does not need to be complete with transcripts, letters of recommendation, essay, etc., to begin Step 1 of the audition process below.

Step 1: Upload your Audition Materials (Audition 1)
Once you have applied for academic admission to Pace, you will be granted access to upload and submit your audition materials to www.getacceptd.com/pace. Acceptd is a digital platform that Pace will use as an initial audition to the Performing Arts Department. All students are required to upload the required materials, per the program(s) of interest. Digital requirements are outlined on the Acceptd website for each program.

Students will be allowed to submit materials to as many programs as they wish. Once prospective students have submitted materials for a specific program, they will not be permitted to resubmit; only one submission through Acceptd for each program will be allowed.

Our faculty will review each digital submission and issue callbacks to those students we wish to attend either an on-campus or regional audition. Students will be notified via email of their callback on a rolling basis (but no longer than 3 weeks after submission) and have the option of auditioning for any or all of the programs for which callbacks were received. Please be advised that multiple callbacks may ask that you attend more than one audition. Once a callback has been granted, you will be sent the Audition Request Form; please remit this form to our office in a timely manner in order to secure your requested audition date(s).

Step 2: Schedule your On-Campus or Regional Audition (Audition 2):
Those interested in auditioning for Fall 2013 and who have received a callback from the digital submission may schedule an audition with Performing Arts. We encourage applicants to schedule early in order to secure a spot. The Audition Request Form must be submitted with two weeks of the date of your callback in order to secure an in-person audition.

A $50.00 non-refundable audition fee will be collected by Acceptd when uploading your digital audition materials. In addition, Acceptd will charge a one-time fee of $25.00 to apply for programs at Pace.

No fee will be collected by Pace University, so please do not send audition fees to Performing Arts.

***PLEASE VISIT WWW.PACE.EDU/PERFORMINGARTS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AUDITIONING, DEPARTMENT INFORMATION, ETC.***

You can contact Performing Arts by emailing performingarts@pace.edu.

Contact:
Wayne Petro
Recruitment Coordinator & Incoming Advisor
wpetro@pace.edu
212-346-1938