portfolio/audition requirements and dates
School of Art
Please visit: http://soa.gmu.edu/student-resources/
Portfolio Review for Admission to School of Art Degree Programs Transfer Students:
Portfolio reviews are required for all transfer student applicants, and must be done before the Admissions Office considers their application complete.
Freshmen Students:
Incoming freshmen may request a portfolio review prior to acceptance to the university, but it is not required before their applications are complete. However, all freshmen are required to have a portfolio review within one semester of taking their first studio art course at Mason, and cannot be formally accepted into the AVT major until the portfolio review is complete.
Portfolio Required Elements: Original works are a required element of the portfolio. Optional elements of the portfolio may include digital images or files on CD.
Your portfolio for admission to the AVT major should include the following items:
• 2-4 examples of 2-dimensional design (examples - color, value and perspective, focus on design rather than observation, etc.)
• 2-4 examples of 3-dimensional design (sculpture, ceramics etc.) If some of your examples are too large to bring in, photos of these items are acceptable
• 2-4 examples of drawing from direct observation (still life, landscapes, not drawings from photographs, etc.)
• Bring 1 copy of your unofficial transcripts.
Your portfolio may also include these optional elements: Up to 3 examples from the following categories: Photography, Digital Art, Graphic Design, 3-dimensional design, Sculpture, Printmaking, Painting.
Portfolio reviews offered weekly by appointment only. You must call the School of Art office at 703-993-8898 for available times and to schedule to have your artwork reviewed.
School of Dance
Please visit: http://dance.gmu.edu/ApplyandAudition
There are three steps to becoming a dance major at George Mason:
Apply to the university. Your application to the university must be on file prior to your audition.
Early decision deadline – November 1
Priority deadline for university scholarship consideration – December 1
Undergraduate (freshman) deadline – January 15
Transfer application deadline – April 1
Schedule audition for the School of Dance. Accepting audition request beginning August 1, 2012. Choose from the following dates:
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Saturday, January 19, 2013 in New York City
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013 (For transfer students by special appointment only, please contact the School of Dance at 703-993-1114 prior to completing an application)
Applicants will be mailed a letter to confirm the audition date.
Prepare a 2 minute video of a solo performance. The video, which is submitted at the time of audition, should show evidence of the candidate’s strong performance quality, musicality and technique.
School of Music
Please visit: http://music.gmu.edu/node/2
School of theater
Please visit: http://theater.gmu.edu/academics/admissions.html
Admission to George Mason University requires application through Mason's Admissions office. Admission to the Theater Major requires an interview with the School of Theater as described below. Please note that these are two separate processes.
Before declaring a Theater major, a student must interview before a Theater faculty panel. Additionally, actors must audition and designers must present a portfolio for review. This process is a give-and-take experience in which students are encouraged to discuss their education and career goals in addition to demonstrating their artistic ability. Please refer to application criteria below.
Any George Mason student may declare a Theater minor and need not interview.
Applicants are encouraged to seek admission to the university prior to their interview with the School of Theater. For information regarding admission to George Mason University, financial aid, and campus tours, please visit the George Mason University website. Admission to the university is determined by the Admissions Office.
2012-2013 Theater major interview dates
Fall 2012 Admissions Events also provide opportunity to interview for the Theater Major. Applicants are strongly encouraged to interview in the Fall for admissions beginning the following Fall (e.g. interview in Fall '12 for Fall '13 start date). Check Admissions for current schedules. All Theater Major interviews will take place within the School of Theater on the Fairfax campus on the following dates:
• August 22, 2012 - Admissions Event, 3:30-5:30 pm
• September 17, 2012 - Admissions Out-of-State Open House
• October 27, 2012 - Admissions Event
• November 10, 2012
• February 2, 2013
• March 30, 2013
Please contact the School of Theater at theater@gmu.edu or (703) 993-1120 toschedule your interview. Students who audition or present a portfolio at theater conferences (i.e., Virginia Theatre Association, Southeastern Theater Conference, etc.) before or after applying to Mason are required to attend a separate interview on campus.
Application Criteria
Interviews will be conducted by appointment and will be required of each candidate for admission to the Theater major. Candidates must prepare an appropriate resume.
Actors will also audition for a panel of Theater faculty with two pieces, either two contrasting monologues or a monologue and 16 bars of a song (to be sung unaccompanied), not to exceed three minutes total. Actors will likely be asked to make adjustments and repeat portions of their work.
Designers, technicians and stage managers will have their portfolios and resumes reviewed by representatives of the design faculty. Students are responsible for assembling and presenting examples of their design work.
Playwrights, dramaturgs and generalists must submit a writing sample to theater@gmu.edu prior to interviewing.
Theater Education candidates must submit a written Teaching Philosophy Statement prior to interviewing, and will also audition for a panel of Theater Faculty with one monologue.
Under special circumstances that preclude an in-person audition, interview, or portfolio review, student applicants may qualify for alternate arrangements. Contact the School of Theater for details.
Successful candidates for the Theater major will demonstrate:
• An appropriate level of craft and artistry;
• Commitment to doing the work and giving it the time necessary, including preparation for the interview, audition, or portfolio review process;
• A willingness to accept direction, criticism and mentoring, and the ability to collaborate with fellow student, faculty, and professional artists.
Supporting materials, other than those required for specific interviews (such as writing samples, reviews, articles, programs, head shots, resumes, etc.), may be presented to support a case for admission to the major.
Applicants will be notified of a decision as soon as possible. Applicants who are denied acceptance to the Theater major must wait one year before reapplying and must meet with the Chair of the School of Theater or his/her designee one full semester prior to reapplying.
Theater Concentrations:
Theater BA students may choose to complete the degree in one of the following concentrations:
• Design and Technical Theater
• Performance (Acting and Directing)
• Playwriting and Dramaturgy
• Theater Studies
• Teaching Theatre Arts PK-12
Currently enrolled Theater majors may apply for admission to a concentration once prerequisites are completed. There is no further audition requirement or portfolio review for Theater majors electing to complete a concentration. Students may also complete the traditional Bachelor of Arts without a concentration.
Theater BFA students must select one of the following areas of concentration:
• Design for Stage and Screen
• Performance for Stage and Screen (Acting and Directing)
• Writing and Dramaturgy for Stage and Screen
Theater Post-Graduate Certification is designed for the Post-Baccalaureate student interested in obtaining licensure in Theatre Arts for PK-12. This is approved by the Virginia State Department of Education and administered through the College of Education and Human Development, which is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Must pass Praxis I to be admitted to the program, and must pass VCLA tests before internship (student teaching) is granted. Admission into this program is granted through the University Graduate Admission process.
Theater majors have the opportunity to earn Theater credits abroad each winter break through participation in the Center for Global Education's London Theater Tour.
We encourage prospective students to contact the School of Theater to arrange an appointment with a faculty member and/or to visit our facilities. Prospective students are also invited to attend one of our performances.
For additional information, to schedule a visit, or to schedule an audition or portfolio review, e-mail us at theater@gmu.edu or call 703-993-1120.
Computer Game Design
Please visit: http://www.masongamedesign.org/
Or http://www.masongamedesign.org/openhouse/
Applicants to the BFA in Computer Game Design program are strongly encouraged to attend one of our program open houses. These events will allow students to meet faculty and students in our program and participate in activities related to game design and portfolio development. Students are encouraged to bring whatever work they already have completed in the form of a web portfolio. NOTE: Students who are unable to attend an open house are still able to apply for and join the major.
■Design an original game with potential and current students
■Have the chance to learn about and use the latest industry-level software and tools.
■Meet with faculty and students to get answers to your questions about our exciting program.
■Get one-on-one feedback with faculty concerning your current portfolio.
■Learn tools to get started developing your portfolio for internship interviews.
■Find out about exciting opportunities like special topics courses, the study abroad program with the University of Abertay Dundee, and more info about upcoming speakers and events.
Film and Video Studies
Please visit: http://cvpa.gmu.edu/favs/portfolio.html
Film and Video Studies Portfolio Requirements
Students interested in scheduling a portfolio review date must have a completed George Mason University application.
Students who wish to apply for the BA in Film and Video Studies program must submit a portfolio.
New students at Mason may apply to the BA program upon admission to the university through a portfolio review. Information about the portfolio process, including dates and portfolio requirements, can be found below or by calling 703-993-5158. Your portfolio must be submitted for assessment prior to setting up an appointment for the portfolio review. You can submit your portfolio material by e-mailing it to favs@gmu.edu.
All students are admitted to Film and Video Studies (FAVS) programs of study separately from their admission to the university and only by portfolio review. Admission to the university is determined by the Admissions Office.
Portfolio Requirements:
1. 750-1000 word essay on your interest in the film industry. Please address why you want to pursue an education and/or career in the art and/or business of film. Is there a specific role you see yourself fitting into (writer, producer, director, critic, etc.?) Are there figures within the film community who you look up to as successful models for your own career plans? Your answer in this section will not restrict you to one pathway in the program.
2. 750-1000 word essay telling a narrative story. Please write a fictional narrative in paragraph form. This short fiction piece should have a beginning, middle and end. Attention should be paid to distinctive characters, a compelling conflict, and events that occur in cause-effect relationship.
*Note: Video or demo reels will be accepted as supplemental material. It must be no more than 5 minutes long and demonstrate skills in storytelling and production.
Portfolio Review Dates for Fall 2012/Spring 2013:
Portfolio Review Dates: October/November and February/March
October 27th 1-3pm
December 1st – 10am-12pm
February 16th – 10am-2pm
March 23rd – 10am-2pm