Private school1.6K

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

12-24 Students

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

12-24 Students

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BA Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

12-24 Students

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BFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

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BFA Music Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 Students

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BA Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

12-24 Students

Quick Links

BFA Theatre Design & Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Program Recognition

•BA in Theatre Arts offers an interdisciplinary, flexible course of study within a liberal arts setting

•Combines conservatory-style training with a liberal arts education

•Prepares graduates for careers in performance, dramaturgy, artistic leadership, applied theatre, educational theatre, and more

•Ranked No. 1 Theatre Design College in Illinois (Prepler, 2021; collegefactual.com, 2022)

•Ranked No. 11 Best Schools for Musical Theatre (authority.org, 2022)

Training

•Faculty regularly attend International Thespian Festival, SETC, USITT, College Audition Project, Illinois High School Theatre Festival, and Missouri Thespians State Conference

Notable Alumni

•Kevin Dunn BA '77 — over 100 TV/film credits including Transformers franchise and HBO's Veep

•Frankie R. Faison BA '71 — Tony nomination for Fences; The Wire, The Silence of the Lambs

•James Sutorius BA '67 — Vivian Beaumont Theatre; world premiere of Arthur Laurents' 2 Lives

Professional Development

•Small class sizes with close, personal instruction from experienced faculty

•Undergraduate-only program — students are never taught by or compete with graduate students

Academic info

Snapshot

3.82

Avg GPA (W)

39%

Admit Rate

school-wide

75%

Grad Rate

1.6K

Enrollment

$71K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$28,199

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$57,704

before aid

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

$0-30k$17,732

$30-48k$19,057

$48-75k$23,152

$75-110k$27,396

$110k+$37,104

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated May 27, 1:16 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•BA in Theatre Arts offers an interdisciplinary, flexible course of study within a liberal arts setting

•Combines conservatory-style training with a liberal arts education

•Prepares graduates for careers in performance, dramaturgy, artistic leadership, applied theatre, educational theatre, and more

•Ranked No. 1 Theatre Design College in Illinois (Prepler, 2021; collegefactual.com, 2022)

•Ranked No. 11 Best Schools for Musical Theatre (authority.org, 2022)

Training

•Faculty regularly attend International Thespian Festival, SETC, USITT, College Audition Project, Illinois High School Theatre Festival, and Missouri Thespians State Conference

Notable Alumni

•Kevin Dunn BA '77 — over 100 TV/film credits including Transformers franchise and HBO's Veep

•Frankie R. Faison BA '71 — Tony nomination for Fences; The Wire, The Silence of the Lambs

•James Sutorius BA '67 — Vivian Beaumont Theatre; world premiere of Arthur Laurents' 2 Lives

Professional Development

•Small class sizes with close, personal instruction from experienced faculty

•Undergraduate-only program — students are never taught by or compete with graduate students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•BA in Theatre Arts offers an interdisciplinary, flexible course of study within a liberal arts setting

•Combines conservatory-style training with a liberal arts education

•Prepares graduates for careers in performance, dramaturgy, artistic leadership, applied theatre, educational theatre, and more

•Ranked No. 1 Theatre Design College in Illinois (Prepler, 2021; collegefactual.com, 2022)

•Ranked No. 11 Best Schools for Musical Theatre (authority.org, 2022)

Training

•Faculty regularly attend International Thespian Festival, SETC, USITT, College Audition Project, Illinois High School Theatre Festival, and Missouri Thespians State Conference

Notable Alumni

•Kevin Dunn BA '77 — over 100 TV/film credits including Transformers franchise and HBO's Veep

•Frankie R. Faison BA '71 — Tony nomination for Fences; The Wire, The Silence of the Lambs

•James Sutorius BA '67 — Vivian Beaumont Theatre; world premiere of Arthur Laurents' 2 Lives

Professional Development

•Small class sizes with close, personal instruction from experienced faculty

•Undergraduate-only program — students are never taught by or compete with graduate students

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Deadline

Early ActionNov 15, 2025

Regular DecisionRolling

Program AppApplication

Auditions

Interview (On-Campus & Virtual)Nov 22, 2025

Interview (On-Campus & Virtual)Jan 31, 2026

Interview (On-Campus & Virtual)Feb 14, 2026

Virtual InterviewFeb 28, 2026

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Applications to the School of Theatre Arts open on August 1 each year

•No audition required for the BA in Theatre Arts

•An optional interview is offered and encouraged

•Register for an on-campus or virtual interview if desired

What's The Process

Audition Process

•No audition required — an optional interview is offered instead

•On-campus interviews preferred; virtual interviews available

•On-Campus: November 22, 2025 (join for Holiday Inn)

•On-Campus: January 31, 2026 (join for Music Theatre Society and Student Choreographed Dance Concert)

•On-Campus: February 14, 2026 (join for 35MM: A Musical Exhibition)

•Virtual: November 22, 2025

•Virtual: January 31, 2026

•Virtual: February 14, 2026

•Virtual: February 28, 2026

Contact

•Prospective students and families can receive complimentary tickets to productions — contact Mena Williams at mwillia8@iwu.edu

•For questions about the interview or admission process, contact Laura Dolan at ldolan@iwu.edu or (309) 556-3063

Scholarship Info

Iwu Alumni Talent Scholarship

•College of Fine Arts applicants in Theatre, Music, or Art are considered using the audition, portfolio review, or interview

•With a few rare exceptions, awards go up to $24,000

•No extra steps beyond applying for admission and submitting requested materials

Academic info

Snapshot

3.82

Avg GPA (W)

39%

Admit Rate

school-wide

75%

Grad Rate

1.6K

Enrollment

$71K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$28,199

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$57,704

before aid

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

$0-30k$17,732

$30-48k$19,057

$48-75k$23,152

$75-110k$27,396

$110k+$37,104

View full data on College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•BA in Theatre Arts offers an interdisciplinary, flexible course of study within a liberal arts setting

•Combines conservatory-style training with a liberal arts education

•Prepares graduates for careers in performance, dramaturgy, artistic leadership, applied theatre, educational theatre, and more

•Ranked No. 1 Theatre Design College in Illinois (Prepler, 2021; collegefactual.com, 2022)

•Ranked No. 11 Best Schools for Musical Theatre (authority.org, 2022)

Training

•Faculty regularly attend International Thespian Festival, SETC, USITT, College Audition Project, Illinois High School Theatre Festival, and Missouri Thespians State Conference

Notable Alumni

•Kevin Dunn BA '77 — over 100 TV/film credits including Transformers franchise and HBO's Veep

•Frankie R. Faison BA '71 — Tony nomination for Fences; The Wire, The Silence of the Lambs

•James Sutorius BA '67 — Vivian Beaumont Theatre; world premiere of Arthur Laurents' 2 Lives

Professional Development

•Small class sizes with close, personal instruction from experienced faculty

•Undergraduate-only program — students are never taught by or compete with graduate students

Updated May 27, 1:16 AM

Illinois Wesleyan University

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Illinois Wesleyan University

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info