Private school1.5K

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Lincoln, NE

Test-OptionalGreek LifeLGBTQ+

Start free

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Directing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Recipient of the Mayor's Arts Award for Artistic Achievement in the Performing Arts

Training

30+ productions per year with directing opportunities as early as sophomore year

69-credit-hour program covering Acting, Stagecraft, Playwriting, Stage Combat, Shakespeare, and advanced Directing courses

Work alongside guest professional artists

Notable Alumni

Sandy Dennis — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1966), Tony Award winner (Any Wednesday)

Emily Kinney — Beth Greene on AMC's The Walking Dead, Broadway debut in Spring Awakening

Professional Development

Internship or Senior Capstone options integrating cumulative knowledge

Alumni working professionally across the country

Facilities

Elder Theatre Center housing McDonald and Miller Theatres

School Info

Snapshot

3.63

Avg GPA (W)

80%

Admit Rate

school-wide

66%

Grad Rate

1.5K

Enrollment

$56K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$47,632

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$65,784

Before aid

Average Net Price

$18,327

After aid

Tuition And Fees · nebrwesleyan.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 5d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Recipient of the Mayor's Arts Award for Artistic Achievement in the Performing Arts

Training

30+ productions per year with directing opportunities as early as sophomore year

69-credit-hour program covering Acting, Stagecraft, Playwriting, Stage Combat, Shakespeare, and advanced Directing courses

Work alongside guest professional artists

Notable Alumni

Sandy Dennis — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1966), Tony Award winner (Any Wednesday)

Emily Kinney — Beth Greene on AMC's The Walking Dead, Broadway debut in Spring Awakening

Professional Development

Internship or Senior Capstone options integrating cumulative knowledge

Alumni working professionally across the country

Facilities

Elder Theatre Center housing McDonald and Miller Theatres

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Recipient of the Mayor's Arts Award for Artistic Achievement in the Performing Arts

Training

30+ productions per year with directing opportunities as early as sophomore year

69-credit-hour program covering Acting, Stagecraft, Playwriting, Stage Combat, Shakespeare, and advanced Directing courses

Work alongside guest professional artists

Notable Alumni

Sandy Dennis — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1966), Tony Award winner (Any Wednesday)

Emily Kinney — Beth Greene on AMC's The Walking Dead, Broadway debut in Spring Awakening

Professional Development

Internship or Senior Capstone options integrating cumulative knowledge

Alumni working professionally across the country

Facilities

Elder Theatre Center housing McDonald and Miller Theatres

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Undergraduate Admissions · nebrwesleyan.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

Acceptd deadlineJul 1, 2027

Application portal · Acceptd

Interview Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Resume

Upload a theatre or production resume as a PDF

Headshot (Required)

Video (Required)

Upload a concept video of no more than three minutes describing a directorial vision or design ideas for a prospective or realized production

Portfolio (Required)

Upload 3–5 digital images of production work, renderings, designs, organizational documents, prompt-book selections, art, photography, or craft projects

Transcript (Required)

Send the official transcript directly to NWU Admissions

Letters of Recommendation (Optional)

Application portal · Acceptd

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to NWU using the free online application

Upload portfolio materials via Acceptd (optional if presenting on campus)

Must be accepted by Admissions and complete portfolio review/interview by June 1 to be considered for talent scholarship

Transfer Pathway

NWU Pathways partner agreements and published course equivalencies support transfer into the BFA Directing curriculum. Transfer applicants must also complete the required portfolio/concept review and confirm how accepted directing and production courses apply.

Transfer Student · nebrwesleyan.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

On-campus BFA auditions offered free between September and April; plan your visit at least two weeks in advance

Zoom auditions available on request

Chicago Unified Auditions: schedule with an NWU faculty member at Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago

High School Thespian Festival auditions are treated as prescreens and are not sufficient on their own for BFA Talent Scholarship consideration

Audition Expectations

Present portfolio of work and directorial concept on campus, via Zoom, or through Acceptd

Interview is an informal conversation to discuss mutual fit and directing interests

For Acceptd submissions, a follow-up Zoom interview and/or additional material may be requested

Decisions

NWU Theatre distributes scholarship offers by June 1

Admission and scholarship decisions are released on a rolling basis

Contact

Ryan Kathman, Director of Recruitment: rkathman@nebrwesleyan.edu | (402) 465-2128

Theatre Department: theatre@nebrwesleyan.edu | (402) 465-2395

Scholarship Info

Talent Scholarships

Based on talent, academic record, and leadership potential

Must complete portfolio review/interview by June 1 to be considered

Financial Aid

Need-based grants and loans also available

Financial aid packages awarded after formal admission and completion of review process

School Info

Snapshot

3.63

Avg GPA (W)

80%

Admit Rate

school-wide

66%

Grad Rate

1.5K

Enrollment

$56K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$47,632

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$65,784

Before aid

Average Net Price

$18,327

After aid

Tuition And Fees · nebrwesleyan.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Recipient of the Mayor's Arts Award for Artistic Achievement in the Performing Arts

Training

30+ productions per year with directing opportunities as early as sophomore year

69-credit-hour program covering Acting, Stagecraft, Playwriting, Stage Combat, Shakespeare, and advanced Directing courses

Work alongside guest professional artists

Notable Alumni

Sandy Dennis — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1966), Tony Award winner (Any Wednesday)

Emily Kinney — Beth Greene on AMC's The Walking Dead, Broadway debut in Spring Awakening

Professional Development

Internship or Senior Capstone options integrating cumulative knowledge

Alumni working professionally across the country

Facilities

Elder Theatre Center housing McDonald and Miller Theatres

Updated 5d ago