Penn State School of Theatre

Penn State's School of Theatre has been training performing artists since 1965, when it was formally established within what is now the College of Arts and Architecture at the university's flagship University Park campus in central Pennsylvania. The program has grown from a modest departmental offering into one of the most comprehensive theater training programs at any American public university, offering both BFA and MFA degrees in Acting alongside programs in Musical Theatre, Stage Management, and Design/Technology. Penn State's School of Theatre is notable for producing an extraordinarily diverse range of entertainment industry professionals — alumni include Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele, Saturday Night Live), Ty Burrell (Modern Family), Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: The Next Generation), and numerous other actors working across Broadway, film, television, and regional theater. The school benefits from the immense resources of one of the largest universities in the country, with an endowment exceeding $4.6 billion and facilities that include multiple performance venues, scene shops, costume shops, and dedicated rehearsal spaces within the recently expanded Pavilion Theatre and the Arts Building. Penn State's theater program also maintains strong connections to the broader performing arts ecosystem through partnerships with professional theaters and industry organizations. The university's legendary school spirit and powerful alumni network — the largest dues-paying alumni association in the world — extend into every corner of the entertainment industry, providing graduates with a built-in professional community from the moment they leave campus.

In 2025, Penn State's School of Theatre operates as a comprehensive, professionally oriented training program within the context of a Big Ten research university that enrolls over 46,000 students at the University Park campus alone. The BFA in Acting provides conservatory-style training that covers acting technique through multiple methodologies, voice and speech, movement including certified stage combat, dialects, and on-camera work, preparing students for careers across all entertainment media. The MFA in Acting is a three-year graduate program that provides advanced training for actors seeking deeper artistic development, with full funding available through teaching assistantships and fellowships. What distinguishes Penn State from smaller conservatory programs is the combination of rigorous professional training with the breadth of experiences available at a major university — theater students can take classes across dozens of departments, participate in campus life, attend Big Ten athletic events, and engage with a diverse student body of nearly 100,000 across all Penn State campuses. The school produces an ambitious season of 8-10 productions per year spanning classical, contemporary, experimental, and musical theater, giving students extensive performance opportunities throughout their training. The Penn State experience is defined by the marriage of serious artistic training with the energy, community, and resources of one of America's most spirited university environments.

Admission to Penn State's BFA in Acting requires a standard university application through the Common Application plus an artistic audition that evaluates the applicant's talent, training potential, and fit with the program. Auditions typically require two contrasting monologues, and callbacks may include cold readings, movement exercises, and interviews with faculty. The BFA Acting program is significantly more selective than Penn State's overall acceptance rate of approximately 55%, as class sizes are limited to maintain the intimate faculty-to-student ratio necessary for effective conservatory training. For the MFA in Acting, applicants must have an undergraduate degree (not necessarily in theater) and complete an audition process that may include preliminary video submissions followed by in-person callbacks. MFA admissions are highly selective, with cohorts of approximately 6-8 students admitted every three years, ensuring very small class sizes and intensive individual attention. Academic credentials are considered alongside audition performance for BFA applicants, as Penn State values students who can engage with the university's academic requirements while maintaining the discipline of professional training. Financial aid is available through the university's standard financial aid process, and the School of Theatre offers talent-based scholarships for exceptional BFA applicants.

The BFA curriculum progresses through a structured four-year sequence that builds from foundational technique through advanced performance and professional preparation. First-year students focus on core acting technique, voice and speech fundamentals, and movement training that establishes the physical and vocal instrument. Subsequent years introduce progressively more advanced work in scene study, classical text (including Shakespeare), contemporary styles, dialects, stage combat, and on-camera technique that reflects the multi-platform reality of the modern entertainment industry. Students perform in School of Theatre productions throughout their training, with casting opportunities that include main-stage productions, studio shows, and student-directed work. The MFA program provides three years of intensive graduate-level training with very small cohort sizes, giving graduate students extensive performance opportunities and individualized faculty attention. Both BFA and MFA students benefit from the school's professional development programming, which includes annual industry showcases in New York City, career workshops, and connections to the entertainment industry through Penn State's vast alumni network. The school also offers study-abroad opportunities, including programs in London and other international locations, that provide exposure to different theatrical traditions and broaden students' artistic perspectives.

Penn State Theatre attracts a broad range of actors, from focused pre-professional undergraduates to experienced actors returning for MFA training, all drawn by the combination of serious conservatory training and the distinctive Penn State experience. The program's alumni roster demonstrates remarkable range and success across the entertainment industry, with Keegan-Michael Key and Ty Burrell achieving television stardom, Jonathan Frakes becoming a sci-fi icon and prolific director, and numerous other graduates working consistently on Broadway, in regional theater, in film, and in television. The Penn State alumni network is legendarily loyal and active, and entertainment industry alumni are known for helping fellow Nittany Lions — this informal professional support system is one of the most powerful assets a Penn State graduate carries into their career. The BFA program attracts students who want serious training but also value the full university experience — athletics, social life, intellectual breadth, and the camaraderie of Penn State's famously spirited campus culture. The MFA program draws more experienced actors, often with professional credits, who are seeking the advanced training, artistic reset, and professional credential that a respected graduate program provides. The School of Theatre community is tight-knit despite existing within an enormous university, with students across BFA and MFA tracks forming the collaborative relationships that sustain careers long after graduation.

Tuition at Penn State University Park for the 2025-2026 academic year is approximately $21,098 per year for Pennsylvania residents and $43,490 per year for out-of-state students, making it significantly more affordable than private university programs, particularly for in-state students. The total cost of attendance including housing, meals, and personal expenses is approximately $35,000-$38,000 for in-state students and $57,000-$60,000 for out-of-state students. The School of Theatre offers talent-based scholarships for exceptional BFA applicants, and the university's financial aid office provides need-based grants, work-study, and loans. For MFA students, the program offers full funding through teaching assistantships that include tuition waivers and stipends, making the three-year graduate program effectively free for admitted students — an exceptional value that makes Penn State one of the most financially accessible top MFA programs in the country. Compared to private university BFA programs like Carnegie Mellon ($67,560), NYU Tisch ($104,000+ total cost), or Syracuse ($61,000-$63,000), Penn State's in-state tuition represents a dramatic savings, and even out-of-state rates are competitive. The central Pennsylvania cost of living is also significantly lower than New York, Los Angeles, or other major metropolitan areas, further reducing the overall financial burden. Students should explore the university's extensive scholarship database and communicate with the School of Theatre about available talent awards to maximize their financial aid package.

Penn State is an excellent choice for actors who want rigorous professional training within the context of a large, spirited university experience and who value the combination of artistic development with the breadth of a comprehensive college education. The program is particularly well-suited for Pennsylvania residents, for whom the in-state tuition makes Penn State one of the most affordable paths to a nationally recognized BFA in Acting. MFA applicants should strongly consider Penn State for its full funding, small cohort sizes, and the professional network that comes with a Penn State degree. If you want the most intensive possible conservatory training with maximum studio hours and minimal distractions, dedicated conservatories like Juilliard, UNCSA, or Carnegie Mellon may be a better fit. For actors who want a public university BFA at a similar price point but in a different region, consider SUNY Purchase, University of Michigan, or UCLA. If you want a funded MFA with a professional theater partnership, FSU/Asolo Conservatory or the University of Delaware's PTTP offer distinctive alternatives.

If you are an out-of-state student, investigate whether you can establish Pennsylvania residency during your time at Penn State to reduce tuition in subsequent years — the savings can be substantial over four years. Take advantage of Penn State's enormous alumni network by connecting with entertainment industry alumni early in your training through the university's alumni association, LinkedIn groups, and School of Theatre alumni events. Balance the social opportunities of a Big Ten university with the discipline required for professional training — the students who succeed at Penn State are those who can enjoy the full college experience while maintaining their commitment to their craft. Attend professional theater in nearby regional markets including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York to supplement your on-campus training with exposure to professional work. For MFA students, make the most of your teaching assistantship not just as a funding mechanism but as an opportunity to develop teaching skills that will serve you throughout your career. Prepare thoroughly for the school's industry showcases in New York, as these are important opportunities to connect with the agents and casting directors who can help launch your post-graduation career.