Private school1.6K

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 Students

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Browse programs

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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

Quick Links

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

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 Students

Quick Links

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

•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

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 May 27, 1:16 AM

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

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

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Deadline

Early ActionNov 15, 2025

Regular DecisionRolling

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

PrescreenJan 1, 2026

Auditions

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

Callback (On-Campus)Jan 31, 2026

Callback (On-Campus)Feb 14, 2026

Callback (Virtual)Feb 28, 2026

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

MTCP Song Option a

•One song written BEFORE 1970

•One song written AFTER 1970

•Contrasting styles

•60-90 seconds each

Monologues

MTCP Monologue Option a

•One monologue from a published play or professional writer

•60-90 seconds

Dance

MTCP Dance Option a

•Dance/movement video required

•Must include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick

•Or suitable rotation, elevation, and extension

•60-90 seconds

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 Source

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

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Submit prescreen materials via Acceptd

•Prescreen deadline: January 1, 2026

•If you made the callback list at an event such as IHSTF, CAP, or ITF, you do not need to submit prescreen materials

•If selected for a callback, you will be notified to sign up for a callback date

•On-campus callbacks preferred; virtual callbacks available

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

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

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

•Virtual: November 22, 2025

•Virtual: February 28, 2026

•IWU participates in the Musical Theatre Common Prescreen (MTCP)

Contact

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

•Prescreen questions: Anna Corvera at acorvera@iwu.edu

•Audition/admission questions: Laura Dolan at ldolan@iwu.edu

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

Updated May 27, 1:16 AM