Elon University Performing Arts

Elon University's Department of Performing Arts, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina in the town of Elon, has experienced one of the most dramatic rises in reputation of any undergraduate theater program in the United States over the past two decades. The university was founded in 1889 as a small liberal arts college affiliated with the Christian Church, and its performing arts program has grown from a modest department into a nationally competitive BFA powerhouse that routinely ranks among the top programs in the country. Elon offers BFA degrees in both Acting and Musical Theatre, with the Musical Theatre program in particular earning widespread recognition for its exceptionally high placement rates — graduates regularly book Broadway shows, national tours, and television roles within months of graduation. The university's beautiful 636-acre campus features state-of-the-art performance facilities including the Center for the Arts, which houses multiple theater spaces, dance studios, and rehearsal rooms that rival facilities at much larger and wealthier institutions. Elon's transformation from a regional college to a nationally recognized performing arts destination reflects a deliberate institutional investment in the arts, with the university recruiting top faculty, building world-class facilities, and developing industry relationships that benefit students directly. The program's rapid ascent is perhaps best measured by its outcomes — Elon graduates are now competing successfully alongside graduates of Juilliard, Carnegie Mellon, and Michigan for the same professional opportunities.

In 2025, Elon's BFA programs in Acting and Musical Theatre operate as highly selective, conservatory-style training tracks within the context of a mid-sized private university that consistently ranks among the top regional universities in the South. The Acting BFA provides intensive training in multiple acting methodologies, voice and speech, movement and stage combat, and on-camera technique, while the Musical Theatre BFA adds rigorous training in singing and dance to produce true triple-threat performers. What distinguishes Elon from many competitor programs is its relentless focus on professional preparation — from the first year, students are trained with the expectation that they will enter the professional industry immediately upon graduation. The program produces a robust season of plays and musicals each year, with productions that serve as both educational experiences and professional-caliber showcases of student talent. The senior showcase program is one of Elon's greatest strengths, with presentations in both New York City and Los Angeles that are well-attended by agents, managers, and casting directors who have learned to trust the quality of Elon graduates. Faculty members include working professionals who bring current industry knowledge into the classroom and maintain the professional relationships that open doors for graduating students. The Elon community is known for its warmth, supportiveness, and collaborative spirit — values rooted in the university's mission that create a training environment where students challenge each other while also lifting each other up.

Admission to Elon's BFA programs is highly competitive, requiring both a standard university application and an artistic audition. The Musical Theatre BFA has an acceptance rate of approximately 2.5%, making it one of the most selective undergraduate programs in the country, while the Acting BFA is also significantly more competitive than the university's overall acceptance rate of approximately 74%. Auditions can be completed in person on campus, at regional audition sites, or through video submission, and typically require two contrasting monologues for Acting applicants or monologues plus songs for Musical Theatre applicants. Callbacks may include dance calls, cold readings, and interviews with faculty who are evaluating not just current skill level but potential for growth and fit within the program's collaborative culture. Academic credentials matter alongside the audition — Elon values well-rounded students who will engage meaningfully with the university's liberal arts curriculum and contribute positively to the campus community. The program looks for students who demonstrate genuine talent, strong work ethic, emotional openness, and the collaborative spirit that defines the Elon performing arts culture. Early Decision applicants receive priority consideration, and the university offers a binding Early Decision option that demonstrates commitment to Elon as a first-choice school.

The four-year BFA curriculum is structured as a progressive training sequence that builds from foundational technique through advanced performance and professional preparation. Acting students study multiple methodologies including Stanislavski-based technique, Meisner, Chekhov, and viewpoints, with additional training in voice and speech, movement including stage combat certification, and on-camera technique that prepares them for the realities of the contemporary entertainment industry. Musical Theatre students receive all of the above plus intensive vocal coaching, music theory, and dance training across multiple styles including ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary. Students perform in departmental productions beginning in their first year, with casting opportunities across the full season of plays and musicals regardless of BFA track. The program places strong emphasis on professional development throughout the four years, not just in the senior year — students learn about the business of acting, self-taping, headshots, resume building, and audition technique as integral parts of their training. The senior showcase program is carefully managed by faculty who have cultivated strong industry relationships, ensuring that the New York and Los Angeles presentations are attended by professionals who are genuinely seeking new talent. Study-abroad opportunities, including a London program, provide international perspective and exposure to different theatrical traditions.

Elon attracts highly motivated, career-focused actors and musical theater performers who are drawn to the program's exceptional placement rates and strong industry connections. The program's alumni include a growing roster of working professionals on Broadway, in national tours, on television, and in film, with graduates regularly appearing in major productions within their first few years out of school. The student body tends to be driven, disciplined, and collaborative — the self-selecting nature of the competitive audition process means that students who arrive at Elon are serious about pursuing professional careers. The university's Southern location draws students from across the country who might not initially consider North Carolina but are attracted by the program's reputation, outcomes, and the warmth of the Elon community. The program is particularly strong for Musical Theatre students, with Elon MT graduates competing successfully for the same roles as graduates of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon, and OCU. For straight acting students, the program provides thorough preparation for both stage and screen work, with the on-camera training and LA showcase providing pathways into the film and television industry that complement the theater focus. The Elon performing arts community extends beyond graduation, with alumni supporting each other professionally in New York, Los Angeles, and regional markets across the country.

Tuition at Elon University for the 2025-2026 academic year is approximately $46,958, with the total cost of attendance including housing, meals, and fees reaching approximately $63,000-$66,000 per year. Elon offers merit scholarships and talent-based awards for performing arts students, with talent scholarships for BFA students ranging up to approximately $8,000 per year, which can be combined with academic merit awards for additional savings. Approximately 62% of Elon students receive some form of financial aid, and the university's financial aid office works with families to create manageable packages that may include grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. While Elon's tuition is lower than many comparable private university BFA programs — NYU Tisch exceeds $104,000 in total cost, Syracuse runs $61,000-$63,000 in tuition alone, and Fordham is $67,452 — it is still a significant investment that families should plan for carefully. The North Carolina cost of living is substantially lower than New York City, Boston, or Los Angeles, which reduces the overall financial burden compared to programs in major metropolitan areas. Students should apply for financial aid early, communicate directly with the financial aid office about their circumstances, and explore external scholarship opportunities specifically for performing arts students. The return on investment, measured by placement rates and early career success, is among the strongest of any BFA program at any price point.

Elon is an outstanding choice for career-focused actors and especially musical theater performers who prioritize professional outcomes and placement rates above institutional prestige or brand recognition. If you want to graduate from a program that has demonstrated, measurable success in launching professional careers, and you value a supportive, collaborative training environment over a cutthroat competitive one, Elon should be at the top of your list. The program is particularly well-suited for Musical Theatre students, where Elon competes with the very best programs in the country on the strength of its outcomes. Actors who need to be in a major city during their training should consider urban programs like NYU Tisch, Fordham, or Emerson instead. If cost is a primary concern, public university programs like UNCSA or SUNY Purchase offer comparable training at dramatically lower tuition. For actors who want stronger institutional brand recognition and are less focused on placement statistics, established programs like Carnegie Mellon or Michigan may carry more weight with some industry gatekeepers.

If you are applying to Elon's Musical Theatre BFA, prepare for one of the most competitive audition processes in the country — choose material that showcases your authentic strengths rather than trying to demonstrate range you have not yet developed, and bring the collaborative energy that Elon values. Take advantage of the program's professional development training from year one by building your headshots, resume, and audition repertoire throughout your four years rather than scrambling to prepare these materials only before the senior showcase. Build strong relationships with faculty, who maintain active industry connections and can advocate for you with agents and casting directors when you graduate. Use the North Carolina location to your advantage by focusing intensely on your training without the distractions and financial pressures of a major city — you will have your entire career to live in New York or LA. Attend Elon alumni events and connect with recent graduates who are currently working in the industry, as the Elon network is tight-knit and alumni are generally generous with mentorship and support. Prepare thoroughly for both the New York and Los Angeles showcases by researching attending agents and casting directors and developing showcase pieces that demonstrate your unique qualities as a performer.