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Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Theatre

Generalist

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

NAST-accredited program

Housed in the Doudna Fine Arts Center

Training

Broad-based curriculum covering performance, design/technical, and theatre history

Freshmen eligible to participate in productions immediately

Flexible course of study allows exploration of all theatre disciplines

Notable Alumni

Burl Ives — Academy Award winner, voice of Sam the Snowman in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Jerry Van Dyke — Four-time Emmy nominee for Coach

William Phipps — Voice of Prince Charming in Disney's Cinderella

Professional Development

No graduate program means all departmental resources go to undergraduates

Small, close-knit cohort of 40-60 majors and minors

Flexibility to tailor coursework to individual interests

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.36

Admit rate

65%

school-wide

Grad rate

47%

Enrollment

4.2K

Earnings

$52K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,914

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$14,914

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$28,584

Before aid

Average net price

$12,786

After aid

Cost · eiu.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 2d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NAST-accredited program

Housed in the Doudna Fine Arts Center

Training

Broad-based curriculum covering performance, design/technical, and theatre history

Freshmen eligible to participate in productions immediately

Flexible course of study allows exploration of all theatre disciplines

Notable Alumni

Burl Ives — Academy Award winner, voice of Sam the Snowman in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Jerry Van Dyke — Four-time Emmy nominee for Coach

William Phipps — Voice of Prince Charming in Disney's Cinderella

Professional Development

No graduate program means all departmental resources go to undergraduates

Small, close-knit cohort of 40-60 majors and minors

Flexibility to tailor coursework to individual interests

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NAST-accredited program

Housed in the Doudna Fine Arts Center

Training

Broad-based curriculum covering performance, design/technical, and theatre history

Freshmen eligible to participate in productions immediately

Flexible course of study allows exploration of all theatre disciplines

Notable Alumni

Burl Ives — Academy Award winner, voice of Sam the Snowman in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Jerry Van Dyke — Four-time Emmy nominee for Coach

William Phipps — Voice of Prince Charming in Disney's Cinderella

Professional Development

No graduate program means all departmental resources go to undergraduates

Small, close-knit cohort of 40-60 majors and minors

Flexibility to tailor coursework to individual interests

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Application · Common App

Scholarship Interview Requirements

Optional interview for scholarship consideration only; it is not required for program admission.

Headshot

Required for scholarship application

Upload to EIU Academic Works application

Resume

Theatre and work history

Upload to EIU Academic Works application

Recommendation Letters

Separate letter needed for each scholarship applied to

Scholarship Forms · eiu.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to the university via Common App or MyEIU portal (free)

No separate audition or portfolio required for program admission

Apply via EIU Academic Works (eiu.academicworks.com)

Deadline: March 15

Eligibility

Must declare Theatre major and enroll in minimum 12 semester hours

EFA renewable for four years with 2.00 overall GPA and 2.75 Theatre GPA

What's The Process

Audition Process

Admission to the BA Theatre program is through university admission only

Optional scholarship application for the Excellence in Fine Arts Award (EFA) and Talented Student Award (TSA)

Apply via EIU Academic Works

Decisions

Published annual scholarship application deadline: March 15; confirm the active cycle in EIU Academic Works

Applicants contacted after the deadline for scholarship interviews

Scholarship Info

Excellence in Fine Arts Award (Efa)

Tuition assistance for incoming freshmen Theatre majors

Renewable for four years with 2.00 overall GPA and 2.75 Theatre GPA

Performance students: submit YouTube video with two contrasting one-minute monologues and 16 bars of music

Tech/Design students: submit YouTube video with photos of technical work

Apply via EIU Academic Works by March 15

Talented Student Award (Tsa)

Tuition assistance for declared Theatre majors or minors

Requires 2.5 overall GPA and 3.0+ Theatre GPA

Grant in Aid (Gia)

Tuition, fees, and/or room and board assistance

Requires 3.0 Theatre GPA and 2.5 overall GPA

Recipient must work in the department office

Additional Scholarships

Sullivan Memorial, Gabbard Theatre, Ingram Griffin, Muchmore Family, Watson Memorial

All applications via EIU Academic Works (eiu.academicworks.com)

Deadline: March 15

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.36

Admit rate

65%

school-wide

Grad rate

47%

Enrollment

4.2K

Earnings

$52K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,914

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$14,914

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$28,584

Before aid

Average net price

$12,786

After aid

Cost · eiu.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

NAST-accredited program

Housed in the Doudna Fine Arts Center

Training

Broad-based curriculum covering performance, design/technical, and theatre history

Freshmen eligible to participate in productions immediately

Flexible course of study allows exploration of all theatre disciplines

Notable Alumni

Burl Ives — Academy Award winner, voice of Sam the Snowman in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Jerry Van Dyke — Four-time Emmy nominee for Coach

William Phipps — Voice of Prince Charming in Disney's Cinderella

Professional Development

No graduate program means all departmental resources go to undergraduates

Small, close-knit cohort of 40-60 majors and minors

Flexibility to tailor coursework to individual interests

Updated 2d ago