Carthage College
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Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
Interview Required
In-Person or Virtual
University App Required
Program Highlights
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•Ranked No. 2 Best School for Drama and Theater Arts in Wisconsin
•Regularly invited to perform at Kennedy Center regional American College Theater Festival
•Dozens of national awards and commendations
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
•Four faculty- or guest-directed Main Stage shows each year (one always a musical)
•Multiple student-directed productions in studio space
•Dance concerts
NEW PLAY INITIATIVE
•Since 2008, commissioned prominent American playwrights to create original works for the department
•Students collaborate directly with playwrights on world premieres
GUEST ARTISTS
•Central location between Milwaukee and Chicago allows regular visits from professional theatre practitioners
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atCommon App
Apply atSchool Website
Deadline
Rolling
Fee
$35Waiver
International Transfer Fee
$40Waiver
Program AppApplication
Apply atSchool Website
Auditions
On-Campus AuditionFeb 7, 2026
Virtual Audition (limited availability)Feb 13, 2026
On-Campus AuditionFeb 14, 2026
On-Campus AuditionFeb 21, 2026
Audition Requirements
Monologues
TWO MEMORIZED CONTRASTING MONOLOGUES
•Each monologue should be 1-2 minutes
•Must come from published plays
•Do not use your own writing, movies, TV, forensics or speech tournament pieces, or undocumented internet sources
•Additional monologues may be requested
PERFORMANCE TIPS
•Select pieces close to your age range and physical type
•Avoid dialects, pantomime, and props
•Give a clear introduction stating your name and the titles of your two pieces
•Perform facing straight ahead with a focus point just over the heads of your audience
Wildcard / Special Skill
N/A
Additional Materials
RESUME (required)
•Theatre-related resume
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (required)
•Two letters of recommendation
•May be emailed directly to vpascholarships@carthage.edu
HEADSHOT (optional but helpful)
•Bring with your resume and recommendation letters if available
Good to Know
APPLICATION PROCESS
•Step 1: Apply to Carthage via Common App or Carthage application
•Step 2: Submit the Theatre Audition Form to schedule your audition
•Students must be accepted into the College before end of February for scholarship eligibility
ELIGIBILITY
•Admitted first-year students intending to pursue a theatre major or minor
•Current students are not eligible — contact the Theatre Department chair directly
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•In-person audition and interview before a panel of two or more theatre faculty
•In-person auditions encouraged for best scholarship consideration
•Audition also serves as entrance audition for the major
VIRTUAL OPTION
•Perform monologues and complete interview via Zoom
•Upload resume and recommendation letters to shared Google Drive folder at least one week prior
PROGRESSION
•At end of sophomore year, all theatre majors evaluated for junior standing
•Requires 2.5+ GPA in major, participation in co-curricular elements, and service requirements
CONTACT
•Heidi Baehr, VPA Scholarship Coordinator
•vpascholarships@carthage.edu | 262-551-5859
Scholarship Info
THEATRE SCHOLARSHIPS
•Scholarships stack with most other awards
•Renewable based on maintaining satisfactory academic progress and completing work assignments
Program info updated 2 days ago
Academic School Information
3.30
Avg GPA (W)
84%
Admit Rate
63%
Grad Rate
2,628
Enrollment
$56,950
Earnings
10yr after
Tuition & Fees
$36,500
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$24,813
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Annual Cost by Family Income
Family Income $0 - $30k$18,307
Family Income $30k - $48k$20,228
Family Income $48k - $75k$22,692
Family Income $75k - $110k$25,465
Family Income $110k+$27,527
