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Nebraska Wesleyan University

Lincoln, NE

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview 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 spanning the program’s seven focus areas, from acting and directing to design and technology, playwriting, and arts management

Experience begins first semester of freshman year

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

Facilities

Elder Theatre Center housing McDonald and Miller Theatres

Degree Flexibility

Work with advisors to build an individualized course of study in two focus areas

Combine areas such as acting + design, musical theatre + playwriting, or directing + arts management

Choose from: Acting, Design and Technology, Directing, Musical Theatre, Playwriting, Arts Leadership, Arts Management

Each focus area includes at least 17 credit hours with 6 at upper levels

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 Sep 3, 8:29 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

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

Training

30+ productions per year spanning the program’s seven focus areas, from acting and directing to design and technology, playwriting, and arts management

Experience begins first semester of freshman year

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

Facilities

Elder Theatre Center housing McDonald and Miller Theatres

Degree Flexibility

Work with advisors to build an individualized course of study in two focus areas

Combine areas such as acting + design, musical theatre + playwriting, or directing + arts management

Choose from: Acting, Design and Technology, Directing, Musical Theatre, Playwriting, Arts Leadership, Arts Management

Each focus area includes at least 17 credit hours with 6 at upper levels

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

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

Training

30+ productions per year spanning the program’s seven focus areas, from acting and directing to design and technology, playwriting, and arts management

Experience begins first semester of freshman year

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

Facilities

Elder Theatre Center housing McDonald and Miller Theatres

Degree Flexibility

Work with advisors to build an individualized course of study in two focus areas

Combine areas such as acting + design, musical theatre + playwriting, or directing + arts management

Choose from: Acting, Design and Technology, Directing, Musical Theatre, Playwriting, Arts Leadership, Arts Management

Each focus area includes at least 17 credit hours with 6 at upper levels

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

Audition Requirements

Songs

Upload two contrasting song selections of approximately 32 bars each

Monologues

Upload one or two monologue selections of approximately one minute each

Additional Materials

Resume

Upload a theatre resume as a PDF

Headshot (Required)

Video (Required)

Upload a 30–60 second introduction describing your goals and what you want faculty to know beyond your resume

Essay (Required)

Write 300–500 words describing the areas of Theatre Arts that interest you and why

Portfolio (Optional)

Upload 3–5 digital images or documents of relevant creative or production work

Letters of Recommendation (Optional)

Creative Sample (Optional)

Transcript (Required)

Send the official transcript directly to NWU Admissions

Application portal · Acceptd

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to NWU using the free online application

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

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

Program Requirements

Must write a proposal for your individualized course of study

Proposal reviewed and approved by theatre faculty

Each focus area should include at least 17 hours with 6 at upper levels (3000-4000)

Transfer Pathway

NWU Pathways partner agreements and published course equivalencies support transfer into the individualized BFA Theatre Arts curriculum. Transfer applicants must complete the program submission and faculty-approved two-focus proposal.

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 (bring your own musical accompaniment)

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

Audition Expectations

Audition or portfolio requirements depend on chosen focus areas

Performance-focused applicants: prepare monologues and/or songs per Acting or MT guidelines

Design/directing-focused applicants: present portfolio per D&T or Directing guidelines

Interview is an informal conversation about your proposed individualized course of study

Must submit a written proposal reviewed and approved by theatre faculty

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

Optional Creative Samples

Applicants may include up to two contrasting 32-bar songs and one or two approximately one-minute monologues

Scholarship Info

Talent Scholarships

Based on talent, academic record, and leadership potential

Must complete audition/interview by June 1 to be considered

Financial Aid

Need-based grants and loans also available

Financial aid packages awarded after formal admission and audition completion

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 spanning the program’s seven focus areas, from acting and directing to design and technology, playwriting, and arts management

Experience begins first semester of freshman year

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

Facilities

Elder Theatre Center housing McDonald and Miller Theatres

Degree Flexibility

Work with advisors to build an individualized course of study in two focus areas

Combine areas such as acting + design, musical theatre + playwriting, or directing + arts management

Choose from: Acting, Design and Technology, Directing, Musical Theatre, Playwriting, Arts Leadership, Arts Management

Each focus area includes at least 17 credit hours with 6 at upper levels

Updated Sep 3, 8:29 PM