The Department of Theatre
Students in the Theatre Department at Palm Beach Atlantic University seeking a profession in the visual, fine and performing arts of theatre, will be guided by top-notch faculty at a Christ-first University. The distinguishing factors of our Theatre Department include all-encompassing training
in performance and production, and our commitment to Christ, openly seek redemptive values in everything
that we study and every play we put on stage. If PBA Theatre sounds right for you,
we look forward to having you join us and will welcome you into our community!
Theatre Programs
Application & Audition Process
Admission to programs of study in the Department of Theatre are by application and
audition only.
How to apply:
- Step 1: Fill out our Prospective Student Information Form and select your audition date (see dates below).
- Step 2: Apply to the University
Fall 2021 Audition Dates:
-
October 8, 2021
-
November 12, 2021
-
December 3, 2021
Spring 2022 Audition Dates:
- January 28, 2022
- February 18, 2022
- March 25, 2022
- April 23, 2022
*All auditions will be held from 11 a.m. - noon at PBA's Fern Street Theatre, located
at 500 Fern Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33416
Unable to Attend?
Unable to attend one of our audition dates? Please email theatre_@pba.edu for more information.
The Audition Process
We recognize that auditioning can be nerve-wracking, and we want to create a situation
that will allow you to give us your best. For this reason, we try to keep things well-organized.
We will have a stage-manager present who will help you understand the process and
keep things moving. You can ask this person any questions that you may have, and they
will do their best to assist you.
You will audition for two or more faculty members. They may ask you questions about your abilities and experience in addition to watching your audition. Please remember that if you are singing, we ask that you provide your own sheet music in your chosen key. Parents are welcome to accompany you on your trip, but we ask that they wait outside the room when you actually give your audition. There will be a question-and-answer session for parents and students with the faculty following each audition session.
You will audition for two or more faculty members. They may ask you questions about your abilities and experience in addition to watching your audition. Please remember that if you are singing, we ask that you provide your own sheet music in your chosen key. Parents are welcome to accompany you on your trip, but we ask that they wait outside the room when you actually give your audition. There will be a question-and-answer session for parents and students with the faculty following each audition session.
Admission
Admission to the department is by audition only. Auditions for the department are
held four to five times per year. It is important to note that you may be admitted
to the University without being admitted to the department. In order to be admitted as a Theatre major, you need to prepare the following depending
on the track within the department that you are interested in:
- Acting for Stage and Screen
Two contrasting monologues of one minute each. If possible, we would prefer that you
prepare one classical monologue and one contemporary monologue, but if you do not
feel comfortable doing this, then we ask you to prepare pieces that will show us different
aspects of your acting ability.
- Musical Theatre
One song, 16 to 32 bars, and one monologue. (Each piece need be no longer than one
minute). In addition to demonstrating to us your singing ability, please show us a
character who is responding to the circumstances of the story that you have chosen.
Please bring sheet music in your chosen key.
Theatre Opportunities
Alpha Psi Omega
Alpha Psi Omega is a national honorary organization for the recognition of excellence
in theatre. The PBA chapter of Alpha Psi Omega is the Chi Nu Chapter, and we further
aim to glorify God in all of our theatre work. As a national honor society, students
earn membership by both excellence in PBA theatre productions and scholarship.
A.L.I.C.E.
(A Live Improv Comedy Experience) is PBA's longest running improvisational comedy
showcase. Annual auditions are open="open" to all PBA students and although the faces
of A.L.I.C.E. are ever-changing, some things remain steady over the years. Expect
spontaneous dancing, audience participation, everyone's favorite improv games and
everyone's favorite chicken "Alice," our mascot.
A.L.I.C.E. has a reputation for bringing the community together through joy and laughter. For
just one dollar, anyone and everyone can experience the best PBA has to offer. Enjoy
the quick wit, high-energy, and unscripted genius of PBA's best improvisational actors.
The PBA Theatre Department awards scholarships to a select number of highly talented
and promising students each year. These scholarships are available through a competitive
process that includes an interview and an audition with the Theatre faculty of PBA.
Students who accept these scholarships must declare a major in a theatre program during
the period of the scholarship and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all Theatre
courses attempted at PBA. Theatre grade point averages below 3.0 will result in a
reduction in Theatre scholarships. Full participation in at least three productions
each year is expected.
For further information, e-mail PBA Admissions or call (561) 803-2100.
You do not have to be a Theatre major or minor to be involved in productions. Auditions
are open to entire PBA community. (We have even been known to cast faculty members,
alumni or members of the larger community on occasion, when student roles would not
be affected.) We should note, however, that the acting and technical skills that our
students develop in classes tend to make them more likely to have the abilities that
fit a particular production.
Performances
PBA's theatre program offers a variety of exciting performances each year, ranging from new musicals to classic plays and everything in-between. These performances give theatre students the opportunity to audition for parts, gain on-stage experience and participate in backstage work. See upcoming performances!