Private school1.5K

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Lincoln, NE

Test-OptionalGreek Life

Program

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Theatre Arts

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Acting

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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

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

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BA Theatre

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Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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BFA Theatre Design and Technology

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Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Directing

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Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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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 providing hands-on experience across disciplines

•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

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 May 27, 9:53 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

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

Training

•30+ productions per year providing hands-on experience across disciplines

•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 providing hands-on experience across disciplines

•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

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

Audition Requirements

Additional Materials

Resume (required)

•Theatre resume with training and performance/production experience

Headshot (required for performance-focused applicants)

•Close-up photo

Portfolio (required for design/directing-focused applicants)

•Work examples relevant to chosen focus areas

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 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)

What's The Process

Chicago Unified Auditions

•February 2-4, 2026 at Palmer House Hilton

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

BFA Audition Days

•December 6, 2025 (On-Campus)

•February 21, 2026 (On-Campus)

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 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

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 providing hands-on experience across disciplines

•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 May 27, 9:53 PM

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info