The Department of Theatre

A student reading a book and smiling

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.

Apply Now

About

The distinguishing factors of our Theatre Department include all-encompassing training in performance and production, and our commitment to Christ, openly seeking 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!

 

Programs Available

Application & Auditions

Step 1:
Fill out our Prospective Student Information Form and select your audition date (see dates below).

Step 2:
Apply to the University

Theatre Auditions at Fern Street Theatre at 11 a.m.

  • Friday, Oct. 13, 2023
  • Friday, Jan. 26, 2024
CArts Auditions (for all programs, including theatre)
  • Saturday, Nov. 18 – 9 a.m.
  • Friday, Feb. 16 – 3 p.m.
  • Friday, March 1 – CARTS ART DAY – AUDITIONS – 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 20 – 9 a.m.
Unified Auditions
  • Florida Theatre Conference, Winter Haven, FL – Nov. 2-4, 2023
  • Southeastern Theatre Conference, Mobile, AL – March 13-16, 2024

Unable to Attend?
Unable to attend one of our audition dates? Please email theatre_@pba.edu for more information.

The Audition Process

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:

  • Two one-minute contrasting monologues from published plays OR
  • One one-minute monologue from a published play and one one-minute Musical theatre song (16-32 bars)

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.

Theatre, B.F.A. a performance focus degree, provides the students comprehensive theatre training. Rigorous curriculum in acting (stage and screen), dance, directing, movement, and voice enhanced by practical production experiences in performance, scenic, costume, lighting and sound.

Theatre Arts, B.A. allows students combining theatre training with other academic pursuits allowing double-majoring. Training includes a balance of theatre core classes and electives enhanced by practical production experiences in performance, scenic, costume, lighting and sound allowing B.A. students opportunities to double major.

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 the 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.

College of the Arts

Questions? Please call the College of the Arts.

Phone: (561) 803-2970

Upcoming Performances

Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of creativity and expression through our diverse array of events including theatre, music and dance.