Boston University School of Theatre

Boston University's School of Theatre was established in 1954 as part of the College of Fine Arts, creating a conservatory-style training program within one of the nation's largest private research universities. Over the decades, the program has built a formidable reputation for producing versatile, technically skilled actors who work across theater, film, and television. Located in the heart of Boston, the school benefits from its position in one of America's premier college cities, surrounded by a rich ecosystem of performing arts institutions, professional theater companies, and fellow arts schools. The program has been recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as one of Hollywood's secret training grounds, particularly noted for the extraordinary number of successful actresses it has produced. BU's School of Theatre has consistently attracted ambitious students who want the intensity of conservatory training combined with the intellectual breadth and resources of a major research university. The school's partnership with the Boston Center for American Performance and its Professional Theatre Initiative provides students with professional-level production experience during their training.

In 2025, Boston University's School of Theatre offers a BFA in Acting that combines rigorous technical training with the liberal arts education that a top-tier university provides. All first-year students begin in a Performance Core curriculum that establishes foundational skills before students specialize in their chosen discipline. The program emphasizes voice and speech training, movement including Alexander Technique and other somatic practices, stage combat, acting for the camera, and a strong foundation in classical text work. What distinguishes BU from many peer programs is its integration of conservatory intensity with genuine academic breadth — students take courses across the university alongside their intensive theater training. The school maintains small class sizes that allow for individualized attention, and students perform in numerous productions throughout their four years in BU's well-equipped theater spaces. The program's emphasis on versatility prepares graduates to work across multiple media and performance styles.

Admission to BU's School of Theatre requires both an academic application to Boston University and an artistic audition that evaluates acting ability, vocal quality, and physical expressiveness. Applicants typically prepare two contrasting monologues and participate in callbacks that may include exercises and interviews with faculty. The program is highly competitive, with audition-based admission separate from BU's general undergraduate acceptance rate. Academic credentials matter at BU, as the university maintains genuine academic standards alongside its artistic evaluation. The College of Fine Arts considers each applicant holistically, assessing both their potential as artists and their ability to thrive in a rigorous academic environment. Financial aid decisions are often communicated alongside admissions offers, and the FAFSA is required for need-based aid consideration.

The four-year BFA curriculum progresses from foundational technique through increasingly complex performance challenges, building toward professional readiness by graduation. Training covers acting technique through multiple methodologies, voice and speech including dialect work, movement with an emphasis on somatic practices like Alexander Technique, stage combat, and substantial on-camera training. Students perform in multiple faculty-directed productions each year, gaining practical experience in BU's well-equipped theater spaces including the Lane-Comley Studio 210 and other venues. The program also provides opportunities for collaboration with BU's film and television students, and the school's Professional Theatre Initiative brings professional directors and guest artists to campus regularly. Senior students participate in an industry showcase that connects them with agents, managers, and casting directors. The integration of academic coursework means that BU graduates earn a well-rounded education alongside their professional training, which many alumni cite as a long-term career asset.

BU's School of Theatre attracts ambitious actors who want serious conservatory training within the context of a prestigious research university, and who are drawn to Boston's vibrant arts and cultural scene. The program's alumni list is remarkable for its depth and breadth: Julianne Moore, Geena Davis, and Faye Dunaway — all Academy Award winners — trained at BU, as did Emmy winner Uzo Aduba, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Jessica Rothe. The program is particularly well-represented on Broadway and in film and television, with BU graduates consistently working at every level of the industry. Boston's thriving theater community, including the Huntington Theatre Company, American Repertory Theater, and numerous smaller companies, provides an engaged audience and professional ecosystem for students during their training. The presence of neighboring arts institutions like Emerson College and Berklee College of Music creates a large and diverse community of fellow performing arts students. BU graduates are known for their versatility and preparedness, qualities that make them attractive to employers and representatives across the industry.

Tuition at Boston University for the 2025-2026 academic year is approximately $58,000 per year, placing it among the more expensive BFA options in the country. The total cost of attendance, including housing, meals, fees, and personal expenses in Boston, pushes the annual figure even higher. However, BU meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for first-year US citizens and permanent residents, and the university awards approximately $473 million annually in undergraduate financial aid. Merit-based scholarships through the College of Fine Arts can significantly reduce costs for admitted students, and talented performers may receive substantial scholarship offers as part of their admission. The financial aid picture at BU is more nuanced than the sticker price suggests, and prospective students should not be deterred from applying based on the published tuition alone. Compared to peer private institutions like NYU Tisch or Carnegie Mellon, BU's financial aid generosity can make the actual cost competitive, though it still significantly exceeds public university options like UNCSA or SUNY Purchase.

BU's School of Theatre is an excellent choice for actors who want rigorous conservatory training within the context of a prestigious research university and who value the intellectual breadth of a genuine liberal arts education alongside their acting training. If you are drawn to Boston's cultural scene and want access to a strong theater community during your training, BU offers an environment that is both artistically stimulating and more affordable to live in than New York or Los Angeles. The program is particularly well-suited for actors who value versatility and want to develop a broad skill set that includes on-camera work, classical text, and physical training. Actors who want to be in New York or Los Angeles during their training for immediate industry access should consider programs in those cities instead. If cost is a primary concern and you qualify for strong financial aid, BU can be competitive — but if not, public university programs like UNCSA or SUNY Purchase offer comparable training at dramatically lower prices. For actors who prefer a pure conservatory experience without academic coursework, dedicated conservatories may be a better fit.

Apply for financial aid early and thoroughly — BU's commitment to meeting demonstrated need means your actual cost may be significantly lower than the sticker price, but you must complete the FAFSA and any required institutional aid applications by the deadlines. Take advantage of Boston's theater scene by seeing as many professional productions as possible during your four years, and build relationships with the local theater community that can support your career after graduation. Embrace the academic coursework as a complement to your acting training rather than viewing it as a burden — many BU alumni credit their liberal arts education with giving them depth and perspective that enriches their artistic work. Seek out opportunities to collaborate with film students and participate in on-camera projects, as this experience will be valuable regardless of which medium you ultimately focus on. Connect with BU's extensive alumni network early, particularly recent graduates who are actively working in the industry. Research the College of Fine Arts merit scholarships carefully, as a strong audition can result in a scholarship offer that makes the financial picture much more favorable.