HOW TO APPLY

Please click here to download the Application Information & Application Form.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 3, 2013
 All application materials must be postmarked by this deadline, except for Financial Aid forms (postmarked by February 15, 2013).

REQUIREMENTS FOR 2013/2014

Please note that a complete application differs for each of our three disciplines: Acting, Dramaturgy, and Voice and Speech Pedagogy. 

ALL APPLICANTS must submit the following materials:

1.     Application form postmarked no later than January 3, 2013

2.     Non-refundable $75 application fee made payable to Harvard University

3.     Current resume of theatrical experience

4.     Brief statement of purpose (no more than two pages double spaced) outlining your reasons for seeking admission to the Institute

5.     Two letters of recommendation from teachers, directors, or others who are able to comment on your potential for achievement in the professional theater.  Letters of recommendation may be sent separately and must be postmarked by January 2, 2013.

6.     Official transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions.  If you did not attend a post-secondary institution, you must submit certified high-school transcripts.  Transcripts must also be postmarked by January 3, 2013.

*Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent or be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in Massachusetts.

ACTING APPLICANTS must ALSO submit:

7.     Recent headshot

DRAMATURGY APPLICANTS must ALSO submit:

7.     Writing samples (See below for full description.)

 

ACTING APPLICANTS

When all of the individual’s required application materials are received, acting applicants will be notified of their audition appointments by e-mail.  For the audition, actors should prepare two contrasting monologues; one selection should be a Shakespearean monologue and the other selection should be contemporary. Each monologue should be two minutes long.  Applicants who consider themselves singers should prepare sixteen bars of a song that they can comfortably perform without accompaniment.

 

DRAMATURGY APPLICANTS

Applicants to the dramaturgy program must submit two samples of their writing: an essay about a theatrical event, a piece of dramatic criticism, an essay about a play, an original play or adaptation, or any other prose that gives evidence of dramaturgical skill. After a review of the written materials, selected candidates will be invited by the Admissions Committee to interview.

 

VOICE APPLICANTS

Voice applicant recommendations should highlight vocal training and experience in addition to performing or directing capabilities. The personal statement should include philosophy of vocal training. Once received, selected candidates will be invited by the Admissions Committee to interview.

 

FINANCIAL AID

If you intend to apply for financial aid please download our Financial Aid Manual and Application which will be posted shortly.  The financial aid application must be postmarked by February 15, 2013.

 

If applying for financial aid, students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to the Federal Student Aid Information Center by February 15, 2013. You must submit your FAFSA by February 15, 2013 to be considered for financial aid in the 2013-2014 academic year. See details on the FAFSA website (www.fafsa.ed.gov).  The Institute school code is E00014.

 

FAQ

 

What should I include in my statement of purpose?

Statements of purpose should include your reasons for seeking admission to the Institute.  Statements often include your goals for higher theatrical education and how studying at the Institute will help you achieve them.  In addition, discussion of your theatrical background and what you will bring to the Institute is encouraged.

 

Can my statement of purpose be longer than two double spaced pages?

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are unable to read statements of purpose that exceed two double spaced pages.

 

Is there a required resume format?

There is no required format, but your resume must not exceed one page.

 

Is there a required format for the letters of recommendation?

There is no required format, but please ensure that letter writers include your full, legal name (as opposed to your stage name, if applicable) somewhere in the letter.

 

May I submit more than two letters of recommendation?

Due to the volume of applications, we are only able to read two letters of recommendation for each applicant.

 

Do I need to take the GRE or TOEFL?

The Institute application does not require the GRE, TOEFL, or any other standardized test.

 

Do I have to submit all of my application materials together?

Your application form, non-refundable deposit, resume, and statement of purpose must all be sent in the same envelope, along with a headshot for actors and writing samples for dramaturgs. Letters of recommendation and transcripts may be received separately, though it is preferred to receive all application materials together.

 

Do you hold callbacks for actors?

No. 

 

When will I be scheduled for an audition or interview?

You will be scheduled once we receive all of your application materials.  You will receive your time and location by e-mail.

 

How long are acting auditions and when should I arrive?

Each audition lasts ten minutes.  Please be sure to arrive fifteen minutes before your audition slot.  Though the audition panel generally stays on time, auditions may be running up to forty-five minutes late.

 

Can I apply for admission in the spring or fall?

No. All first years must start in the summer semester together. 

 

Can I defer my admission?

Due to the amount of applicants, we are unable to grant deferments.

 

When will decisions be announced?

Decisions will be announced in mid-March.

 

I applied previously and wasn’t accepted, but I’d like to reapply. Did you save my materials?

We save all applications from the last two years. If you’d like to reapply within this window, you must submit a new application form, non-refundable deposit, and an updated financial aid application. You may choose to update other materials if you wish. After two years, you must submit all application materials again.

 

Is student housing available?

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide housing at our Cambridge location. You may apply for graduate housing at Harvard, though it is not guaranteed. The Cambridge area is a vibrant, youthful area and there are plenty of apartments to be found. If accepted, students will receive a housing packet containing information and tips on finding housing in the area. Housing in Moscow is covered by tuition.   

 

Are school visits/tours available?

If you would like to visit the Institute before applying, please email institute@amrep.org for an appointment. Only accepted students may sit in on classes.

 

Do you accept walk-in applicants?

Yes but be warned that you are not guaranteed an audition slot. You are only guaranteed a slot if your application is postmarked by the deadline.

 

All prospective students should be aware of Harvard’s policies on file-sharing and the Digital Millenium Copyright Act.

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