Backup Plans

09 Backup Plans: Building Multiple Paths to a Theater Career

Isabella, theater admissions — especially at highly selective programs — can be unpredictable because auditions, artistic fit, and program capacity all play major roles. Even strong applicants sometimes miss at the most selective programs simply because a faculty panel is building a specific ensemble that year. For that reason, the smartest strategy is to prepare a few parallel pathways that still move you toward the same long‑term goal: building a professional theater career and creative voice.

The good news is that your current school list already contains a strong practical foundation. DePaul University has been evaluated as a strong option, and it can function as an excellent launch point even if the most selective programs on your list do not land.

Primary Safety Anchor: DePaul as a Professional Launchpad

If NYU or UCLA do not work out, enrolling at DePaul should not be viewed as a fallback in terms of artistic growth. A strong theater program in a major performing arts city can provide substantial professional opportunities if you intentionally use the environment around you.

If DePaul becomes your final destination this cycle, the key strategy is maximizing industry exposure during college rather than relying solely on coursework.

• Pursue directing or creative leadership opportunities. The committee discussion highlighted that theater programs increasingly value students who create work, not only perform in it. Look for chances to direct student productions, stage readings, or collaborative theater projects once enrolled.
• Participate in theater festivals and independent productions. Festivals allow student work to reach audiences and industry professionals beyond campus.
• Seek internships with theaters, companies, or production organizations. Real industry exposure during college often matters as much as classroom training.

This approach turns a strong program like DePaul into a platform for building credits, professional connections, and creative leadership experience before graduation.

If Auditions at the Most Selective Programs Do Not Land

The committee discussion flagged an important strategic point: some theater programs evaluate applicants heavily on audition performance and ensemble fit, which can make admission outcomes difficult to predict. If NYU or UCLA do not work out this cycle, consider prioritizing programs that emphasize creative leadership, directing, play development, and community storytelling rather than programs focused narrowly on traditional conservatory-style performance.

These types of programs often reward students who:

• Create original productions
• Lead collaborative theater groups
• Tell community-driven stories
• Work across performance, writing, and directing

You have not provided details about your theater activities, productions, or leadership roles yet. Because theater admissions rely heavily on demonstrated artistic engagement, you should make sure your application materials clearly document:

• Roles you have performed
• Productions you participated in
• Any directing, writing, or production work
• Community or school theater involvement

If these details are missing from your application materials, admissions committees will have a harder time understanding the full scope of your artistic development.

Transfer Pathway (If You Want Another Shot at Selective Programs)

Another realistic backup path is the strategic transfer route. Many theater students begin at one program and later transfer after gaining additional performance credits and training.

If you enroll at DePaul or another strong program, you could consider applying as a transfer after one or two years if:

• You build a strong portfolio of performances
• You develop directing or creative work
• You gain festival or production experience

Transfer applicants are often evaluated differently from first‑year applicants because they bring concrete college-level artistic work. A year or two of serious theater production can significantly strengthen auditions and artistic portfolios.

This option keeps the door open to highly selective programs while still allowing you to move forward immediately with training and stage experience.

Gap Year Option (If Auditions Fall Short)

A gap year can also be a productive option if you feel your audition results do not reflect your full potential. The committee noted that a year focused on professional training or expanded productions can significantly strengthen future auditions.

A productive theater-focused gap year could include:

• Professional acting or performance training
• Participation in theater festivals
• Producing or directing a small independent production
• Submitting work to festivals or community theater events

The goal of a gap year would be to arrive at the next application cycle with stronger audition material, deeper performance experience, and clearer artistic identity.

However, a gap year only makes sense if it is structured around serious artistic development. Without a defined plan — training, productions, or festivals — it may not significantly strengthen a future application.

Additional Safety School Strategy

You have currently listed three target schools. Because two of them are considered difficult admissions outcomes, it would be wise to make sure you have additional applications submitted to theater programs where admission is more predictable.

If you have not already done so, consider adding a few programs that:

• Offer strong undergraduate theater training
• Encourage student-directed productions
• Provide access to local theater communities

You have not provided a full list of additional schools you may be applying to. If there are more programs on your application list, make sure at least two or three fall into a clearly safer admission range.

What Success Still Looks Like Without NYU or UCLA

It is important to keep the long-term structure of theater careers in perspective. Many successful actors, directors, and playwrights did not come from the most selective undergraduate programs. The factors that matter most are:

• Stage experience
• Professional networks
• Creative output
• Industry exposure

A student who actively produces work, participates in festivals, collaborates with peers, and builds professional relationships during college often graduates with stronger career momentum than someone who simply attends a prestigious program but produces little work.

That is why a program like DePaul — especially if you use the surrounding theater ecosystem — can still lead to strong industry pathways.

Senior Year Decision Timeline

Month	Key Backup Strategy Actions
September	• Confirm that DePaul remains on your finalized application list. • Review whether additional safer theater programs should be added. • Organize documentation of productions and roles (important if audition results vary).
October	• Complete remaining applications to ensure multiple admission outcomes. • Confirm audition schedules if required. • Review application materials for completeness (see §06 Essay Strategy for narrative approach).
November	• Submit remaining applications. • Prepare contingency planning for potential audition outcomes. • Research theater festivals and production opportunities that could support a gap year if needed.
December–January	• Complete auditions and portfolio submissions. • Track responses from programs. • If outcomes are mixed, begin comparing program environments and professional opportunities.
March–April	• Evaluate final admissions decisions. • If admitted to DePaul, research theater internships, productions, and festivals available in the surrounding theater community. • If results are disappointing, assess the gap year option and future audition strategy.
May	• Commit to the strongest available program. • If choosing a gap year, finalize a structured plan for training and productions before the next application cycle.

Bottom Line

Your application list contains both ambitious programs and at least one strong practical option. If NYU or UCLA do not work out, the path forward remains clear: enroll in a solid theater program like DePaul, actively create and participate in productions, and build professional experience through festivals and internships.

And if you decide you want another shot at highly selective programs later, both the transfer pathway and a well‑structured gap year remain realistic options.