TheatreBridge & Playwrights Workshop: How to Apply
TheatreBridge and the Playwrights Workshop programs run concurrently; both programs work with the undergraduate Apprentice company and the professional Brown/Trinity Playwrights Rep company, and with each other. Both require an open and generous creative spirit while maintaining a full commitment of purpose. Students may apply to both, but can enroll in only one.
Both programs are open to rising High School Juniors and Seniors. As admission is highly selective, students are encouraged to apply early.
The TheatreBridge and Playwrights Workshop admissions processes are designed to build two distinct theatre companies of students who, regardless of previous experience, are highly motivated to explore their creative potential together.
Though we welcome student-actors whose primary experience and interest may be in musical theatre, TheatreBridge uses exclusively non-musical material to explore and expand acting skills.
The dedicated young writers selected for the Playwrights Workshop will learn from and support each other’s writing as they explore and strengthen their own singular voices. Writers may be more versed in other genres (poetry, fiction, non-fiction), but will spend the summer discovering what dramatic writing and plays in performance can do.
Completed applications received by March 1, 2013 will be carefully evaluated, and these applicants will be notified of their admissions status beginning April 1, 2013.
Applications are still being accepted for both programs.
Apply to TheatreBridge
A complete TheatreBridge application consists of the following items:
Applications will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee until all items have been received.
1. A completed Online Application
Note: To begin your application, create a connect.brown.edu account by following the link above.
Parents and Students: Please be sure to create only one account per applicant.
2. A non-refundable application fee (payable online)
Before 3/1/2013: $45
3/1/2013 to 4/30/2013: $65
5/1/2013 and after: $90
3. An Official School Transcript.
Applicants should request an official transcript containing your grades/marks for each course with an explanation of the scoring system in English (for example, 6=excellent or A=excellent). Transcripts may be faxed to our office at 401-863-3916.
4. A letter of recommendation from a teacher or person (not a relative) familiar with your creative and artistic abilities relating to theatre.
5. For TheatreBridge applicants: A Video Interview
Apply to Playwrights Workshop
A complete Playwrights Workshop application consists of the following items:
Applications will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee until all items have been received.
1. A completed Online Application
Note: To begin your application, create a connect.brown.edu account by following the link above.
Parents and Students: Please be sure to create only one account per applicant.
2. A non-refundable application fee (payable online)
Before 3/1/2013: $45
3/1/2013 to 4/30/2013: $65
5/1/2013 and after: $90
3. An Official School Transcript.
Applicants should request an official transcript containing your grades/marks for each course with an explanation of the scoring system in English (for example, 6=excellent or A=excellent). Transcripts may be faxed to our office at 401-863-3916.
4. A letter of recommendation from a teacher or person (not a relative) familiar with your creative and artistic abilities relating to theatre.
5. For Playwrights workshop: A statement and Writing Sample (see below for details).
Students wishing to be considered for both TheatreBridge and the Playwrights Workshop should submit a single application, but include both a Video Interview and a Writing sample, as described below.
The Video Interview for TheatreBridge Applicants
The video interview is your opportunity to give our faculty a sense of what you're all about as a person, so relax and be yourself as you respond on camera to all three of the following questions:
1. How did you get started in theatre?
2. How will you make use of your theatre training in the future?
3. Please share with us something about your passions and enthusiasms in areas that are NOT connected in any way to theatre or any branch of the arts.
Your recording should be only a few minutes in length. A simple head-and-shoulders shot that allows you to talk directly into the camera should be sufficient. No student will be accepted without a video interview. Video clips from productions may not be substituted.
How to submit your Video Interview
Preferred Method – Online
You may upload your video clip to your personal web site, or to a video hosting web site such as YouTube.com. Once you’ve uploaded your video, submit the URL (web address) via email to summerapply@brown.edu, with the subject: "TheatreBridge Video Interview: Your Name". Remember: the privacy of your video posting is up to you – you do not need to publish this file publicly, but you must submit a valid web address where the review committee can access your interview.
Alternate Method – DVD Sent by Mail
Although we prefer online submissions, we will accept DVD versions of your Video Interview. Please submit two (2) copies of your DVD-R disk (i.e. two identical disks) to the address below. Your DVD must be readable on a Macintosh computer or on a standard American DVD player. It is imperative that you submit two copies of this audition. We also request that you clearly print your name on the DVD surface with a permanent marker. Please be certain to record in DVD-R format.
Mail your DVD to:
Brown University
TheatreBridge - Summer@Brown
Box T
Providence, RI 02912
FAX: 401.863.3916
The Writing Sample For Playwrights Workshop Applicants
Your writing sample may be a one-act or full length play, or two ten minute plays, or a collection of poems, or two short stories, or any combination of short plays, poems and fiction not exceeding 50 pages. We ask that you send your writing sample as a PDF document. You should include your name, title of the piece and page numbers on each page of the document.
Please also include with your writing sample a one page written statement about your interest in theatre and writing plays, and include any information you would like us to know about your expectations for yourself as a creative artist. What plays interest you? Why the theatre? Please also share with us something about your passions and enthusiasms in areas that are not connected in any way to theatre or any branch of the arts.
How to submit your Writing Sample
Preferred Method – Via Email
We prefer that you send a PDF of your Writing Sample and statement as an email attachment, with “Playwrights Workshop” in the subject heading, sent to: summerapply@brown.edu
Alternate Method – Hard Copy Sent by Mail
Please mail a hard copy of your writing sample to:
Brown University
Playwrights Workshop - Summer@Brown
Box T
Providence, RI 02912
FAX: 401.863.3916