Department of Theatre and Dance
High School Open House
The Department of Theatre and Dance is pleased to announce our 2024 High School Open House on Thursday, November 13, 2025. This event allows high school juniors and seniors to spend the day at the Fresno State Theatre and Dance department. The day includes scholarship auditions and interviews, workshops, facilities tours, and a pizza dinner social. It concludes with a special invited dress rehearsal performance of the musical "Godspell" directed by J. Daniel Herring.
DAY OVERVIEW (subject to change):
10:00 am - 10:30 am - Registration
10:30 am - 11:00 am - Welcome Ceremony
11:00 am - 12:15 pm - Scholarship Auditions and Interviews/Facility Tours
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - Lunch
1:45 pm - 4:30 pm - Workshops
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Pizza Social and Town Hall Meeting
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Pre-show Discussion with Director J. Daniel Herring
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm - Final Dress Rehearsal, "Godspell"
Schools wishing to attend our event should register by November 10, 2025.
High School Open House Registration
Theatre and Dance Scholarship Auditions and Interviews
We are pleased to offer scholarships in acting, dance, design/tech, and theatre education.
Auditions and interviews will take place during the High School Open House event.
Any high school senior interested in a scholarship and who has applied to Fresno State
may audition or interview.
Please complete the registration form by Monday, November 10, 2025 at noon.
All students auditioning for a scholarship must have their teacher complete the Teacher
Scholarship Recommendation Form.
Teacher Recommendation Form
Acting Auditions
The Acting Scholarship Auditions consists of a memorized audition package, which should
include two contrasting monologues (or one monologue and one song) no longer than
4 minutes.
Please read the guidelines thoroughly before submitting the registration form.
Dance Auditions
The Dance Scholarship Auditions consists of a short solo dance work.
Please read the guidelines thoroughly before submitting the registration form.
Design/Tech Interviews
The Design/Tech interviews consist of pre-selected questions and an optional portfolio
review.
Please read the guidelines thoroughly before submitting the registration form.
Theatre Education Interviews
Auditions include an interview and a performance/presentation component.
Please read the guidelines thoroughly before submitting the registration form.
If you have any questions relating to the High School Open House, please conact our
Faculty Coordinator, Nicola Olsen.
Nicola Olsen / nicolaolsen@mail.fresnostate.edu / 559.278.7595
If you have specific questions about degree programs or the audition/interview process,
please contact one of our advisors.
All Theatre Arts emphasis:
Melissa Gibson / mgibson@mail.fresnostate.edu / 559.278.2522
Dance:
Kenneth Balint / kbalint@mail.fresnostate.edu / 559.278.5848