Otterbein University

Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, is one of the best-kept secrets in American undergraduate theater training — a small private university whose Department of Theatre and Dance consistently produces graduates who punch far above the institution's weight class in terms of professional placement and career success. The university was founded in 1847 by the United Brethren Church, and its theater program has grown from a modest departmental offering into a nationally recognized BFA program that earns respect from industry professionals who have seen Otterbein graduates perform at a consistently high level. The program offers BFA degrees in both Acting and Musical Theatre, with training that is conservatory in intensity but embedded within a liberal arts framework that produces thoughtful, well-rounded artists. Otterbein's most notable alumni include Cory Michael Smith, who starred as Edward Nigma/The Riddler on Fox's Gotham for five seasons, and Jonathan Bennett, best known as Aaron Samuels in Mean Girls and as host of Food Network's Halloween Wars and Cake Wars. The university's intimate size — approximately 2,800 undergraduate students — creates a close-knit community where theater students receive a level of personal attention and faculty mentorship that is impossible at larger institutions. The Westerville location, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, places students in proximity to one of the fastest-growing mid-market cities in the country with a vibrant and expanding professional theater scene.

In 2025, Otterbein's BFA programs in Acting and Musical Theatre operate as intensive, conservatory-style training tracks within the supportive environment of a small liberal arts university. The training is structured around a philosophy of developing the whole actor — technically skilled, intellectually curious, emotionally open, and personally resilient — through a curriculum that covers acting technique, voice and speech (including Fitzmaurice voice work), movement (including Alexander and Feldenkrais methods), stage combat, dialect work, and on-camera technique. The first two years focus on self-exploration, script analysis, characterization, and the building of foundational skills, while the third and fourth years emphasize styles training spanning Shakespeare to film, advanced performance, and professional preparation. The program produces a full season of plays and musicals each year across its performance venues, giving students extensive stage time and experience working across multiple genres and styles. Class sizes are intentionally small, ensuring that every student works directly with experienced faculty in every class and receives individualized feedback and mentorship throughout their four years. The senior showcase, produced annually in New York City for agents and casting directors, is the culminating professional launching event and has earned a growing reputation among industry professionals who have learned to trust the quality of Otterbein graduates. Students also have the option to complete a 10-week professional theater internship that provides real-world experience and professional connections during their training.

Admission to Otterbein's BFA programs requires a standard university application plus an artistic audition that includes a pre-screening process to determine which applicants are invited to the live audition round. The pre-screening typically involves a video submission of monologues and, for Musical Theatre applicants, songs. Invited applicants then audition in person with monologues, callbacks, and interviews with faculty. Otterbein's overall university acceptance rate is approximately 83%, but the BFA programs are significantly more selective due to the audition requirement and limited class sizes. The program looks for students who demonstrate genuine talent, emotional authenticity, collaborative spirit, and the potential to grow within Otterbein's particular training methodology, which emphasizes voice work through Fitzmaurice and movement through Alexander and Feldenkrais. Academic credentials are considered alongside the audition, as the university values well-rounded students who will engage with the liberal arts curriculum and contribute positively to the campus community. Financial aid is available through the university's standard financial aid process, and the Department of Theatre and Dance offers talent-based scholarships for exceptional applicants that can meaningfully reduce the cost of attendance. Early applicants generally receive priority consideration for both admission and financial aid.

The four-year BFA curriculum is designed as a developmental arc that progressively builds students' technical skills, artistic confidence, and professional readiness. The first two years establish foundational technique through acting methodology, voice work (centered on Fitzmaurice), movement (centered on Alexander and Feldenkrais), script analysis, and theater history, creating the physical, vocal, and analytical foundation that supports advanced work. The third and fourth years focus on styles training — from classical text including Shakespeare through contemporary realism to film and television technique — along with advanced performance, directing, and professional preparation. Students perform in departmental productions throughout all four years, with casting opportunities that span the full season of plays and musicals regardless of BFA track. The 10-week professional theater internship opportunity allows students to gain hands-on experience at professional companies, building their resumes and professional networks before graduation. The on-camera training component reflects the contemporary reality that most actors will work across multiple media, and the program ensures students are prepared for self-taping, screen auditions, and on-set work alongside their stage training. The senior New York showcase is carefully prepared over the final year, with faculty coaching students on material selection, presentation, and the professional skills needed to maximize the impact of this critical industry event. The intimate class sizes ensure that every student receives substantial faculty attention throughout the four-year journey.

Otterbein attracts actors who value a close-knit, supportive training community and who recognize that the quality of training and professional outcomes matter more than institutional brand recognition. The program's alumni include Cory Michael Smith, whose five-season run as The Riddler on Fox's Gotham demonstrated the caliber of actor Otterbein produces, and Jonathan Bennett, whose career spanning Mean Girls, Food Network hosting, and ongoing acting work shows the versatility of Otterbein graduates. The broader alumni network includes numerous working professionals on Broadway, in national tours, in regional theater, and in film and television — a placement record that consistently exceeds what the university's size and profile might suggest. The student body tends to be warm, collaborative, and genuinely supportive of each other — the self-selecting nature of choosing a smaller program means students who arrive at Otterbein are often those who thrive in community-oriented environments rather than highly competitive ones. The Westerville/Columbus location draws students primarily from Ohio and the broader Midwest, though the program's growing reputation attracts applicants from across the country. The Otterbein theater community extends beyond graduation, with alumni who support each other professionally and return to campus to mentor current students. The program's emphasis on developing well-rounded human beings alongside skilled performers produces graduates who bring empathy, intelligence, and collaborative spirit to their professional work.

Tuition at Otterbein University for the 2025-2026 academic year is approximately $36,074 per semester for full-time undergraduate students, bringing the annual tuition to approximately $36,598 per year. The total cost of attendance including housing, meals, fees, and personal expenses brings the annual figure to approximately $50,000-$55,000 for on-campus students. However, approximately 100% of Otterbein students receive some form of financial aid, with the average financial aid package meaningfully reducing the actual cost. The Department of Theatre and Dance offers talent-based scholarships for exceptional performing arts students, which can be combined with academic merit awards and need-based aid for additional savings. While Otterbein's sticker price is lower than many comparable private university BFA programs — NYU Tisch exceeds $104,000 in total cost, Carnegie Mellon runs $67,560 in tuition alone, and Syracuse charges $61,000-$63,000 — the total cost is still significant and families should plan carefully. The Ohio cost of living is substantially lower than New York, Los Angeles, or other major metropolitan areas, reducing the overall financial burden compared to programs in expensive cities. Students should apply for financial aid early, communicate directly with the theater department about available talent scholarships, and explore external scholarship opportunities for performing arts students to maximize their support.

Otterbein is an excellent choice for actors who value personalized training, a supportive community, and strong professional outcomes over institutional brand recognition and prestige. If you learn best in an environment where faculty know you individually, invest in your specific development, and where the culture is collaborative rather than cutthroat, Otterbein offers a training experience that many larger programs cannot match. The program is particularly well-suited for actors from the Midwest who want quality training close to home, and for students who would thrive in a smaller, community-oriented university environment. Actors who need the brand recognition of a top-tier name program should consider Carnegie Mellon, NYU Tisch, or Michigan instead. For similar-quality BFA training at comparable or lower cost in the Midwest, consider Baldwin Wallace, Wright State, or the University of Cincinnati's CCM. If you want an intimate, community-driven training environment but in a larger city, consider Pace in New York or Columbia College Chicago. Otterbein's consistent ability to produce working professionals from its small, personalized program makes it one of the smartest value choices in BFA actor training.

When evaluating Otterbein, look beyond the university's profile to the actual outcomes — research where recent graduates are working, who is attending the New York showcase, and what industry professionals say about Otterbein-trained actors, as the results consistently exceed expectations. Build the strongest possible relationship with the program's faculty from your first year, as their personalized mentorship and industry advocacy will be among the most valuable assets of your Otterbein experience. Take advantage of the 10-week professional internship opportunity by securing a placement at a company that aligns with your career goals, as this real-world experience can provide both resume credits and professional connections. Embrace the Fitzmaurice and Alexander/Feldenkrais training fully — these methodologies may seem esoteric at first but will give you a physical and vocal foundation that will distinguish you from other actors throughout your career. Prepare thoroughly for the senior New York showcase by researching attending industry professionals, developing material that showcases your unique qualities, and treating the event as the most important audition of your training. Connect with Otterbein alumni who are currently working in the industry, as the tight-knit community is genuinely supportive and alumni are generally generous with mentorship, advice, and professional introductions.