San Diego State University Theatre

San Diego State University's School of Theatre, Television, and Film has been training performing artists since the 1930s, making it one of the longest-running theater programs in the California State University system and one of the most established theater training programs in Southern California. SDSU is a large public research university enrolling over 36,000 students, and its theater program benefits from the scale and resources of a major institution while maintaining the focused, student-centered approach that effective actor training requires. The school offers both BFA and MFA degrees in Acting, alongside programs in Musical Theatre, Design/Technology, and Film and Television Production, creating a comprehensive performing arts ecosystem. SDSU's alumni roster in the entertainment industry is remarkable for a public university, including Gregory Peck (one of Hollywood's greatest leading men, who went on to co-found La Jolla Playhouse), Raquel Welch, Carl Weathers (Rocky, The Mandalorian), and numerous other actors, directors, and producers who have built successful careers across theater, film, and television. The university's San Diego location places students in a city with a growing professional theater scene anchored by the Old Globe Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, and San Diego Repertory Theatre, while also positioning them within a two-hour drive of the Los Angeles entertainment market. The program has quietly built a strong reputation as one of the best values in California for serious actor training, combining quality instruction with public university affordability.

In 2025, SDSU's School of Theatre, Television, and Film operates as a professionally oriented training program that prepares students for careers across multiple entertainment media within the context of a large, diverse public university. The BFA in Acting provides conservatory-style training covering acting technique through multiple methodologies, voice and speech, movement and stage combat, on-camera technique, and dialects, while the MFA in Acting offers advanced graduate-level training for actors seeking deeper artistic development. The school produces a full season of plays and musicals each year across its performance venues, including the Don Powell Theatre and the Experimental Theatre, giving students extensive performance opportunities in front of live audiences. What distinguishes SDSU from more expensive private programs is the combination of serious professional training with accessible pricing — students receive quality instruction from experienced faculty at a fraction of the cost of schools like USC, Chapman, or LMU. The program's connection to San Diego's professional theater community provides students with opportunities to observe, intern with, and occasionally perform alongside working professionals at major regional companies. The university's broader performing arts culture includes strong programs in film, television, dance, and music, creating cross-disciplinary opportunities that enrich actors' training and prepare them for the collaborative nature of the entertainment industry. SDSU's commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in its student body, which is among the most diverse of any university in California, and in programming that prioritizes a wide range of voices, stories, and artistic perspectives.

Admission to SDSU's BFA in Acting requires a standard university application through Cal State Apply plus an artistic audition that evaluates talent, training potential, and fit with the program. BFA auditions typically require two contrasting monologues and may include callbacks with cold readings, improvisation exercises, and interviews with faculty. SDSU's overall acceptance rate is approximately 39%, but the BFA Acting program is more selective due to limited class sizes and the audition requirement. For the MFA in Acting, applicants must hold an undergraduate degree and complete an audition process that includes monologues, callbacks, and faculty interviews. The MFA program admits small cohorts to ensure individualized training, and admits students less frequently than annual programs. Academic credentials are considered alongside audition performance for both BFA and MFA applicants, as SDSU values students who can engage with the university's academic requirements while pursuing intensive professional training. The university's location in San Diego and its strong reputation within California draw applicants from across the state and beyond, with particular appeal to students who want Southern California access at an affordable price. Financial aid is available through the university's standard financial aid process, and the School of Theatre offers talent-based scholarships for exceptional applicants.

The BFA curriculum provides a structured four-year training sequence that progresses from foundational technique through advanced performance and professional preparation, designed to develop versatile actors who can work across stage and screen. First-year students focus on core acting technique, voice and speech fundamentals, movement training, and theater history, building the foundation of knowledge and skill that will support more advanced work in subsequent years. The curriculum expands in the second and third years to include advanced scene study, classical text work, on-camera technique, dialects, stage combat, and specialized electives that allow students to tailor their training to their professional interests. Students perform in School of Theatre productions throughout their four years, with casting opportunities across the full season of plays and musicals regardless of year or track. The MFA program provides three years of intensive graduate-level training with small cohort sizes, extensive performance opportunities, and the advanced technique work that distinguishes graduate from undergraduate education. Both BFA and MFA students benefit from the school's professional development programming, which includes career workshops, industry guest speakers, and connections to the San Diego and Los Angeles entertainment markets. The partnership between SDSU's Old Globe/University of San Diego MFA program and the neighboring Old Globe Theatre provides additional opportunities for SDSU students to engage with professional-level work, though this is a separate program from SDSU's own MFA.

SDSU attracts a broad, diverse range of actors drawn by the combination of quality training, affordability, and Southern California location. The program's distinguished alumni demonstrate that SDSU-trained actors can reach the highest levels of the profession — Gregory Peck won the Academy Award for To Kill a Mockingbird, Carl Weathers became a beloved fixture in American film and television over a five-decade career culminating in his Emmy-nominated work on The Mandalorian, and Raquel Welch became one of the most iconic screen presences of the twentieth century. The student body reflects SDSU's identity as one of the most diverse universities in California, with students from a wide range of ethnic, economic, and geographic backgrounds creating a training environment that prepares actors for the diversity of the professional world. The program attracts both California residents seeking affordable in-state training and out-of-state students drawn by the Southern California location and the school's growing reputation. SDSU students tend to be pragmatic and career-focused, drawn to a program that provides solid training without the financial burden of expensive private institutions. The university's large size and active campus life offer social, athletic, and intellectual experiences that complement the theater training, producing well-rounded graduates who bring perspective and adaptability to their professional careers.

Tuition at SDSU for the 2025-2026 academic year is approximately $10,252 per year for California residents and $20,332 per year for out-of-state students, making it one of the most affordable paths to a BFA or MFA in Acting at a respected program in Southern California. The total cost of attendance including housing, meals, and personal expenses is approximately $28,000-$32,000 for in-state students and $38,000-$42,000 for out-of-state students — dramatically lower than private university programs in the region. Graduate assistantships with tuition waivers and stipends are available for some MFA students, further reducing the financial burden of graduate training. The School of Theatre offers talent-based scholarships for exceptional applicants, and the university's financial aid office provides need-based grants, work-study, and loans. Compared to private Southern California programs like USC ($67,503 tuition), Chapman ($55,000), or LMU ($52,000), SDSU's in-state tuition represents savings of $40,000-$57,000 per year — a difference that can amount to $160,000-$228,000 over four years. San Diego's cost of living, while higher than many non-coastal cities, is significantly lower than Los Angeles, with housing and everyday expenses costing approximately 20-30% less than comparable options in the LA metro area. For California residents, SDSU represents arguably the best value in actor training in the entire state.

SDSU is an outstanding choice for budget-conscious actors — particularly California residents — who want quality professional training in Southern California without the crippling debt that accompanies private university programs. If you want to be within reach of the Los Angeles entertainment market while training at a fraction of LA school costs, SDSU provides a practical, affordable path to a professional foundation. The program is particularly well-suited for actors who value diversity, who want a full university experience alongside their training, and who are pragmatic about balancing artistic development with financial responsibility. Actors who want the most intensive possible conservatory training with maximum brand recognition should consider USC, UCLA, or CalArts in the California market, or national programs like Carnegie Mellon, Juilliard, or UNCSA. For similar public university value in California, CalState Fullerton and CalState Long Beach offer comparable BFA programs. If you want to stay in San Diego for graduate training, the Old Globe/USD MFA is a highly regarded alternative with a direct professional theater partnership.

Take advantage of SDSU's proximity to the Old Globe Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse by attending as many professional productions as your schedule and budget allow — these are two of the best regional theaters in the country, and seeing their work regularly will elevate your artistic standards and awareness of professional-level performance. Build connections with the San Diego professional theater community through ushering, volunteering, attending industry events, and networking with working actors and directors who perform at local companies. Use the cost savings of SDSU's affordable tuition to invest in professional development tools — quality headshots, demo reels, acting workshops with industry professionals, and self-tape equipment that will serve you when you enter the market. Take on-camera classes seriously and build a strong demo reel during your training, as the proximity to Los Angeles means your first professional opportunities may come in film and television rather than theater. Connect with SDSU alumni who are working in the LA market, as the alumni network, while less organized than those at wealthier institutions, includes successful professionals who can provide mentorship and industry guidance. Consider establishing California residency early if you are an out-of-state student, as the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition over four years represents a savings of approximately $40,000.