Public school36.3K

University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL

Test-OptionalGreek Life

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick Links

MFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Quick Links

MFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 Students

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Theatre Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 Students

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Stage Management

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 Students

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Scenic Design

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 Students

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Scenic Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 Students

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Lighting Design & Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 Students

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Costume Design & Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 Students

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Sound Design & Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 Students

Quick Links

BFA Theatre

Arts & Entertainment Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 Students

Quick Links

BMA Lyric Theatre

Creative

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Quick Links

BMA Lyric Theatre

Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Training

•Tuition-free, three-year professional training program

•Daily four-hour sessions in acting, movement (including stage combat), and voice/speech

•Faculty are professional artists active in the field

Performance & Productions

•Productions at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and Armory Theatre

•Industry showcase for graduating MFA actors at end of third year

•Summer work at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Alliance Theatre, and more

Notable Alumni

•Brandon J. Dirden — Broadway (All the Way opposite Bryan Cranston, Waiting for Godot)

•Crystal Dickinson — Broadway (Clybourne Park, You Can't Take It with You), Theatre World Award

•Shanola Hampton — Shameless (Showtime)

Professional Development

•Recent guests include Sarah Ruhl, Luis Alfaro, and Rob Decina (CBS Casting)

•Connections with The Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, American Players Theatre

Academic info

Snapshot

4.00

Avg GPA (W)

42%

Admit Rate

school-wide

85%

Grad Rate

36.3K

Enrollment

$81K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$14,355

after typical aid

In-State Tuition

$16,004

before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$35,124

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$2,038

$30-48k$5,373

$48-75k$7,982

$75-110k$15,152

$110k+$28,761

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated May 30, 12:25 AM

Program Highlights

Training

•Tuition-free, three-year professional training program

•Daily four-hour sessions in acting, movement (including stage combat), and voice/speech

•Faculty are professional artists active in the field

Performance & Productions

•Productions at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and Armory Theatre

•Industry showcase for graduating MFA actors at end of third year

•Summer work at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Alliance Theatre, and more

Notable Alumni

•Brandon J. Dirden — Broadway (All the Way opposite Bryan Cranston, Waiting for Godot)

•Crystal Dickinson — Broadway (Clybourne Park, You Can't Take It with You), Theatre World Award

•Shanola Hampton — Shameless (Showtime)

Professional Development

•Recent guests include Sarah Ruhl, Luis Alfaro, and Rob Decina (CBS Casting)

•Connections with The Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, American Players Theatre

Program Highlights

Training

•Tuition-free, three-year professional training program

•Daily four-hour sessions in acting, movement (including stage combat), and voice/speech

•Faculty are professional artists active in the field

Performance & Productions

•Productions at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and Armory Theatre

•Industry showcase for graduating MFA actors at end of third year

•Summer work at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Alliance Theatre, and more

Notable Alumni

•Brandon J. Dirden — Broadway (All the Way opposite Bryan Cranston, Waiting for Godot)

•Crystal Dickinson — Broadway (Clybourne Park, You Can't Take It with You), Theatre World Award

•Shanola Hampton — Shameless (Showtime)

Professional Development

•Recent guests include Sarah Ruhl, Luis Alfaro, and Rob Decina (CBS Casting)

•Connections with The Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, American Players Theatre

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$90Waiver

Deadline

Early ActionNov 1, 2025

Regular DecisionJan 5, 2026

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Deadline

Application DeadlineFeb 14, 2026

Auditions

U/RTA (Philadelphia, PA) — Day 1Jan 9, 2026

U/RTA (Philadelphia, PA) — Day 2Jan 10, 2026

U/RTA (Philadelphia, PA) — Day 3Jan 11, 2026

U/RTA (Atlanta, GA)Jan 18, 2026

U/RTA (Chicago, IL) — Day 1Jan 25, 2026

U/RTA (Chicago, IL) — Day 2Jan 26, 2026

U/RTA (Chicago, IL) — Day 3Jan 27, 2026

U/RTA (Chicago, IL) — Day 4Jan 28, 2026

U/RTA Virtual — Day 1Jan 31, 2026

U/RTA Virtual — Day 2Feb 1, 2026

Audition dateOn-Campus (Urbana-Champaign, IL)U/RTA (Fullerton, CA) — Day 1Feb 7, 2026

U/RTA (Fullerton, CA) — Day 2Feb 8, 2026

Audition Requirements

Songs

Requirements

•Optional SONG, 16 bars

•Not required — offered as an optional addition

•Bring your own recorded accompaniment

Monologues

Requirements

•Two Contrasting MONOLOGUES, 2 min each max

•One classical monologue

•One contemporary monologue

•Be prepared to have monologues coached and explored

Additional Materials

Submission Materials

Statement of Purpose (Required)

•800–1000 words

Letters of Recommendation (Required)

•Three letters, preferably from theatre instructors

•Sent separately by the letter writers

Headshot (Required)

•Current performance headshot

Resume (Required)

•Performance resume listing theatre experience and training

Transcripts (Required)

•Official transcripts of all previous college work

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply through the Graduate College at grad.illinois.edu

•Must also audition either through U/RTA or on-campus audition day

•Application deadline: February 14, 2026

•Late applications will not be considered

•Illinois Theatre participates in U/RTA National Auditions

•Register for U/RTA via Acceptd

Eligibility

•Video auditions accepted from international applicants only

•Must meet full TOEFL admissions requirements

Enrollment

•Fall enrollment only — accepting applications for Fall 2026

What's The Process

Audition Process

•U/RTA National Auditions — multiple cities (Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Fullerton, or Virtual)

•On-Campus Audition Day at University of Illinois

•Register and schedule through U/RTA via Acceptd

Audition Expectations

•Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

•Deadline to schedule: January 10, 2026

•Includes in-person monologue auditions, Q&A session, and workshop with faculty

•Contact Prof. Kim McKean (kmckea1@illinois.edu) to arrange

•Strong performance ability

•Creative and intellectual curiosity

•Commitment to discovery and growth

Scholarship Info

Tuition

•MFA Acting is a tuition-free program

•All admitted students receive full tuition waiver for the three-year program

Academic info

Snapshot

4.00

Avg GPA (W)

42%

Admit Rate

school-wide

85%

Grad Rate

36.3K

Enrollment

$81K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$14,355

after typical aid

In-State Tuition

$16,004

before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$35,124

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$2,038

$30-48k$5,373

$48-75k$7,982

$75-110k$15,152

$110k+$28,761

View full data on College Scorecard

Training

•Tuition-free, three-year professional training program

•Daily four-hour sessions in acting, movement (including stage combat), and voice/speech

•Faculty are professional artists active in the field

Performance & Productions

•Productions at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and Armory Theatre

•Industry showcase for graduating MFA actors at end of third year

•Summer work at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Alliance Theatre, and more

Notable Alumni

•Brandon J. Dirden — Broadway (All the Way opposite Bryan Cranston, Waiting for Godot)

•Crystal Dickinson — Broadway (Clybourne Park, You Can't Take It with You), Theatre World Award

•Shanola Hampton — Shameless (Showtime)

Professional Development

•Recent guests include Sarah Ruhl, Luis Alfaro, and Rob Decina (CBS Casting)

•Connections with The Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, American Players Theatre

Updated May 30, 12:25 AM

University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info

University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info