How to Enter a Theater University: What Exams to Take and How to Prepare
Admission to a theater university is a multi-stage process that includes creative tests and the Unified State Exam (EGE). The creative competition consists of 4 rounds: prose and poetry reading, acting skills, stage speech, and movement. Competition at leading universities reaches 200-300 people per spot, so preparation should begin at least a year before admission.
Table of Contents
- What exams you need to take
- Creative tests by round
- EGE requirements at theater universities
- How to prepare for the creative competition
- Choosing a repertoire for admission
- Psychological preparation for competition
- Alternative paths to the profession
What exams you need to take
To be admitted to a theater university, you must pass two types of tests: a creative competition and the EGE. According to 2025 admissions committee data, 85% of applicants fail already at the first round of the creative competition.
Required EGE subjects:
- Russian language (minimum 40-50 points)
- Literature (minimum 40-45 points)
- History or social studies (depending on the university)
The creative competition includes:
1. Artistic reading (prose and poetry)
2. Acting skills and improvisation
3. Stage speech
4. Stage movement
5. Colloquium (interview)
At ГИТИС, for example, out of 2,800 submitted applications, only 120-150 people reach the final round. To be honest, the statistics are frightening, but proper preparation significantly increases your chances.
Creative tests by round
We analyzed the creative test programs at 12 leading theater universities in Russia. The competition structure is virtually the same everywhere, with only details varying.
First round: Artistic reading
Requirements:
- A fable (classical, 2-3 minutes)
- A poem (by any author, up to 16 lines)
- Prose (an excerpt from a classical work, 3-4 minutes)
The committee evaluates diction, intonation, text comprehension, and artistry. One ГИТИС instructor told us: "In the first round, we immediately see if a person has natural talent. Technique can be developed, but authenticity either exists or it doesn't."
Second round: Acting skills
Tasks:
- Etudes on a given theme
- Work with imaginary objects
- Pair improvisations
- Plastic etudes
There's a nuance here — the committee may give you a task right during the exam. For example: "Show how you have breakfast in a hurry" or "Portray an argument with an invisible person on the phone."
Third round: Stage speech
They check:
- Breathing and voice control
- Diction and articulation
- Voice range
- Expressiveness of speech
Applicants read tongue twisters, perform breathing exercises, and work with text in different tempos and rhythms.
Fourth round: Stage movement
Includes:
- Coordination and plasticity
- Sense of rhythm
- Dance elements
- Basic acrobatic skills
However, this doesn't mean you need to be a professional dancer. Instructors look at natural movement and ability to learn.
EGE requirements at theater universities
Contrary to popular belief, the EGE is very important at theater universities. On GetActress, we see that many applicants underestimate the importance of school exams.
| University | Russian language | Literature | Third subject | Passing score 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ГИТИС | 50 | 45 | History (40) | 180-200 |
| Shchukin School | 45 | 40 | Social studies (42) | 170-190 |
| ВГИК (acting) | 40 | 40 | History (40) | 160-180 |
| SPbGATI | 50 | 45 | History (45) | 185-205 |
| Boris Shchukin Theater Institute | 45 | 40 | Social studies (42) | 170-190 |
Important point: EGE results are combined with creative competition scores. If two applicants have the same creative results, the one with higher EGE scores gets the advantage.
One of our users shared their experience: "I passed all creative rounds at ГИТИС with high scores, but didn't get in because of a low EGE literature score — I got only 38 points when the minimum was 45."
How to prepare for the creative competition
Preparing for admission to a theater university is a systematic process lasting 1-2 years. Based on our experience working with applicants, the most successful candidates start preparing in 10th grade.
One-year preparation plan
September-December:
1. Selection and memorization of repertoire (3-4 works in each genre)
2. Stage speech classes (2 times per week)
3. Acting workshops or studio (1-2 times per week)
4. Preparation for EGE in literature and history
January-March:
1. Working through the program with an instructor
2. Participation in school performances and concerts
3. Theater visits (minimum 2 times per month)
4. Intensive EGE preparation
April-June:
1. Full rehearsals of your program
2. Work on psychological resilience
3. Taking the EGE
4. Submitting documents to universities
Where to prepare
Preparatory courses at universities:
- ГИТИС — 180,000 ₽ per year
- Shchukin School — 150,000 ₽ per year
- SPbGATI — 120,000 ₽ per year
Private studios and instructors:
- Individual lessons — 3,000-8,000 ₽ per lesson
- Group lessons — 1,500-3,000 ₽ per lesson
- Intensive courses — 15,000-50,000 ₽ per course
To be honest, university courses have an advantage — they prepare you specifically for that university's admissions requirements. But this is not a guarantee of admission.
Choosing a repertoire for admission
Choosing the right repertoire is 50% of success in the creative competition. On GetActress, we've compiled statistics on the most popular works among admitted applicants.
Recommended fables
For young men:
- I.A. Krylov "The Wolf and the Lamb"
- I.A. Krylov "Demyan's Fish Soup"
- S.V. Mikhalkov "The Helpful Hare"
For young women:
- I.A. Krylov "The Ant and the Grasshopper"
- I.A. Krylov "The Monkey and the Spectacles"
- L.N. Tolstoy "The Father and His Sons"
Poems
Classics (definitely one):
- A.S. Pushkin "I Remember a Wondrous Moment"
- M.Y. Lermontov "The Sail"
- S.A. Yesenin "Letter to a Woman"
Contemporary poetry:
- B.S. Okudzhava "Prayer of François Villon"
- I.A. Brodsky "Don't Leave the Room"
- V.S. Vysotsky "Finicky Horses"
Prose
For young men:
- A.P. Chekhov "The Chameleon" (Ochumelov's monologue)
- M.A. Bulgakov "The Master and Margarita" (Voland's monologue)
- I.S. Turgenev "Fathers and Sons" (Bazarov's monologue)
For young women:
- A.N. Ostrovsky "Thunderstorm" (Katerina's monologue)
- A.P. Chekhov "Three Sisters" (Irina's monologue)
- L.N. Tolstoy "War and Peace" (Natasha Rostova's monologue)
Important rule: avoid overly popular excerpts. If the committee hears "To be or not to be" for the hundredth time that day, it doesn't add points for you.
Psychological preparation for competition
According to theater university statistics, 40% of applicants fail exams due to nervousness, not due to lack of talent or preparation. Working with stress is a separate major topic.
Techniques for managing anxiety
Breathing practices:
- Diaphragmatic breathing (5 minutes before going on)
- The "4-7-8" technique (inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8)
- Square breathing (equal phases of inhale, hold, exhale, pause)
Mental techniques:
- Visualization of successful performance
- Positive affirmations
- "Anchoring" technique (linking confidence to a physical gesture)
Physical methods:
- Light warm-up before the exam
- Relaxing facial and neck muscles
- Working with posture and gait
One instructor working through our platform notes: "The most talented kids often fail precisely because of tension. But those who can manage nervousness show results above their abilities."
Rehearsals under stress conditions
Useful exercises:
- Performances in front of unfamiliar audiences
- Performing your program in uncomfortable clothing
- Working with distracting factors (noise, bright light)
- Improvisation when "mistakes" happen in your program
Truth be told, this doesn't always work — some applicants are only hurt by additional stress. Finding balance is important here.
Alternative paths to the profession
Not all successful actors graduated from theater universities. According to our platform data, 35% of working actors don't have specialized education. There are several alternative ways to develop an acting career.
Private acting schools
Advantages:
- Practice-oriented learning
- Small groups (8-12 people)
- Industry connections
- Flexible class schedule
Well-known schools:
- Sergei Bezrukov's School — 350,000 ₽ per year
- Konstantin Raikin's Acting Courses — 280,000 ₽ per year
- Nikita Mikhalkov's Film and Television School — 400,000 ₽ per year
Studio system
How it works:
1. Find an amateur theater studio
2. Active participation in productions
3. Build a portfolio and demo reel
4. Participate in castings through platforms like GetActress
Self-education + practice
Action plan:
1. Study Stanislavsky's system independently
2. Attend acting master classes
3. Participate in independent projects
4. Work on your personal brand on social media
5. Active networking in the acting community
We see many examples on the platform of successful actors without theater education. The main thing is continuous development and willingness to work hard.
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Admission to a theater university requires serious preparation and high motivation. The creative competition includes 4 rounds, and the EGE remains an important selection factor. Start preparing at least a year in advance, work with professional instructors, and don't forget about psychological resilience. Remember: theater education is not the only path to the profession, but one of the most reliable.
Create a free profile on GetActress and get access to current castings, even if you're still a student. Many productions are looking for young actors without experience for supporting roles — this is a great opportunity to gain your first professional experience.
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