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Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick Links

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 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

•One of the oldest BFA Music Theatre degrees in the United States

•Proud member of the National Alliance for Music Theatre

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

•Alumni include Tony winners and Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award nominees

•Bryonha Parham BFA MT '07 (Porgy and Bess — 2012 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival; Ragtime — 2009 Broadway Revival)

Training

•Conservatory-style curriculum within a top-level liberal arts university setting

•Six productions per season including at least two musicals annually and a biennial Dance Concert

•Music Theatre Workshop: students work directly with professional composers to shape and create characters

•Music Theatre Scene Study: explores works of a composer or specific genre, culminating in a showcase performance

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

Professional Development

•Senior Showcase: NYC and Chicago industry showcase presenting work to theater makers, agents, and casting directors

•Small class sizes with personalized instruction — programs are selective and intentionally small

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

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 4 students

•Class of 2025: 6 students

School Info

Snapshot

3.82

Avg GPA (W)

39%

Admit Rate

school-wide

75%

Grad Rate

1.6K

Enrollment

$71K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$61,208

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$78,348

Before aid

Average Net Price

$28,199

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 2d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•One of the oldest BFA Music Theatre degrees in the United States

•Proud member of the National Alliance for Music Theatre

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

•Alumni include Tony winners and Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award nominees

•Bryonha Parham BFA MT '07 (Porgy and Bess — 2012 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival; Ragtime — 2009 Broadway Revival)

Training

•Conservatory-style curriculum within a top-level liberal arts university setting

•Six productions per season including at least two musicals annually and a biennial Dance Concert

•Music Theatre Workshop: students work directly with professional composers to shape and create characters

•Music Theatre Scene Study: explores works of a composer or specific genre, culminating in a showcase performance

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

Professional Development

•Senior Showcase: NYC and Chicago industry showcase presenting work to theater makers, agents, and casting directors

•Small class sizes with personalized instruction — programs are selective and intentionally small

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

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 4 students

•Class of 2025: 6 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•One of the oldest BFA Music Theatre degrees in the United States

•Proud member of the National Alliance for Music Theatre

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

•Alumni include Tony winners and Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award nominees

•Bryonha Parham BFA MT '07 (Porgy and Bess — 2012 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival; Ragtime — 2009 Broadway Revival)

Training

•Conservatory-style curriculum within a top-level liberal arts university setting

•Six productions per season including at least two musicals annually and a biennial Dance Concert

•Music Theatre Workshop: students work directly with professional composers to shape and create characters

•Music Theatre Scene Study: explores works of a composer or specific genre, culminating in a showcase performance

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

Professional Development

•Senior Showcase: NYC and Chicago industry showcase presenting work to theater makers, agents, and casting directors

•Small class sizes with personalized instruction — programs are selective and intentionally small

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

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 4 students

•Class of 2025: 6 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

Deadline

Early ActionNov 15, 2026

International Regular DecisionMar 15, 2027

Regular Decision — Rolling

Source 1 Source 2

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Opens

School of Theatre Arts Application OpensAug 1, 2026

Acceptd Prescreen OpensSep 1, 2026

Deadline

Prescreen DeadlineJan 1, 2027

Auditions

Callback Audition — On Campus

Nov 14, 2026Jan 16, 2027Feb 27, 2027

Source 1 Source 2

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

Two Contrasting Songs, 60-90 Sec Each

•One song written before 1970 (musical theater, Golden Age, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.)

•One song written after 1970 (musical theater, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.)

•Songs should contrast in style

Accompaniment

•Must sing to musical accompaniment — no a cappella

Video Framing

•Recommended waist-up framing so face is clearly visible

Monologues

One Monologue from A Published Play or Professional Writer

•60-90 seconds recommended

•A professional writer is someone whose plays have been produced, but may not have been professionally published

•No self-written material

Dance

Dance Video

•Submit one dance selection, 60-90 seconds

•Show your strongest dancing or movement

•Include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick or another clear rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body

Video Framing

•Keep your full body visible from head to floor throughout

•Dance to music

Ballet

MTCP Ballet Option C

•Ballet not required

Wildcard / Special Skill (Optional)

•Optional Wild Card video — an opportunity to show your personality or share something about you. Can be anything: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, original composition/song/poem/choreographed dance, SNL-styled skit, a hobby or activity, performing in another language, a 'how-to' video, or a different dance style you excel in

Additional Materials

Slate Video

•Record one introduction slate video stating your name and pronouns, if you would like

•Slate video should be no longer than 10 seconds

•Do not slate individual performance videos; label each performance file instead

Resume

•Submit your theatre resume through Acceptd

Headshot

•Submit your recent headshot through Acceptd

Official SourceVerified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

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

•Must submit university application and Acceptd prescreen separately

Transfer Pathway

Transfer students may bring approved prior credit, and an Illinois AA with the GECC can satisfy IWU general education; remaining BFA Music Theatre requirements are evaluated individually.

Official Source

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Submit the university application and an Acceptd prescreen

•Acceptd prescreens open September 1, 2026 and close January 1, 2027

•Applicants who make IWU's callback list at College Audition Project (CAP), the Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF), Missouri Thespians, or the International Thespian Festival (ITF) do not need to submit prescreen materials

•Selected applicants register for an on-campus callback on November 14, January 16, or February 27; virtual appointments are available by arrangement

•IWU uses MTCP Song A, Monologue A, Dance A, and Ballet C

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

School Info

Snapshot

3.82

Avg GPA (W)

39%

Admit Rate

school-wide

75%

Grad Rate

1.6K

Enrollment

$71K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$61,208

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$78,348

Before aid

Average Net Price

$28,199

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•One of the oldest BFA Music Theatre degrees in the United States

•Proud member of the National Alliance for Music Theatre

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

•Alumni include Tony winners and Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award nominees

•Bryonha Parham BFA MT '07 (Porgy and Bess — 2012 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival; Ragtime — 2009 Broadway Revival)

Training

•Conservatory-style curriculum within a top-level liberal arts university setting

•Six productions per season including at least two musicals annually and a biennial Dance Concert

•Music Theatre Workshop: students work directly with professional composers to shape and create characters

•Music Theatre Scene Study: explores works of a composer or specific genre, culminating in a showcase performance

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

Professional Development

•Senior Showcase: NYC and Chicago industry showcase presenting work to theater makers, agents, and casting directors

•Small class sizes with personalized instruction — programs are selective and intentionally small

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

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 4 students

•Class of 2025: 6 students

Updated 2d ago