Private school1.5K

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Lincoln, NE

Test-OptionalGreek Life

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Directing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

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BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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BFA Theatre Design and Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Directing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Quick Links

BM Music Performance

Voice

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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

Academic info

Snapshot

3.63

Avg GPA (W)

80%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

1.5K

Enrollment

$56K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$18,327

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$43,572

before aid

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

$0-30k$14,925

$30-48k$16,974

$48-75k$14,594

$75-110k$18,244

$110k+$23,652

View full data on 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

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

Scholarship Audition/Interview DeadlineJun 1, 2026

Auditions

BFA Audition Day (On-Campus)Dec 6, 2025

Chicago Unified Auditions (Palmer House Hilton)Feb 2, 2026

BFA Audition Day (On-Campus)Feb 21, 2026

Interview Requirements

Additional Materials

Portfolio (required)

•Photographs, prompt-scripts, slides, and/or drawings of production work (realized or conceptual)

•Examples of related skills: painting, drawing, digital design

Directorial concept essay (optional)

•1-2 page essay describing a directorial concept for a prospective or realized production

Resume (required)

•Theatre resume with directing and production credits

Transcript (required by admissions)

•Official hard copy transcript must be sent to NWU Admissions to complete the application

•Transcript may also be uploaded after completing the theatre application steps

Letters of recommendation (optional)

•May be uploaded after completing the theatre application steps

Official Source

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

What's The Process

Chicago Unified Auditions

•February 2-4, 2026 at Palmer House Hilton

•Treated as pre-screen only — will NOT be considered for BFA Talent Scholarships alone

Portfolio Review

•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

BFA Audition Days

•December 6, 2025 (On-Campus)

•February 21, 2026 (On-Campus)

•BFA candidates highly encouraged to attend one of these dates

Decisions

•Admission decisions begin December 2025

•Decisions continue once or twice monthly through May 2026

Contact

•Ryan Kathman, Director of Recruitment: rkathman@nebrwesleyan.edu

•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

Academic info

Snapshot

3.63

Avg GPA (W)

80%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

1.5K

Enrollment

$56K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$18,327

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$43,572

before aid

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

$0-30k$14,925

$30-48k$16,974

$48-75k$14,594

$75-110k$18,244

$110k+$23,652

View full data on 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

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Interview Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Interview Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Interview Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Interview Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info