Nebraska Wesleyan University
Test-OptionalGreek Life
Program
No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredIn-Person or VirtualUniversity App RequiredMTCP Participant
Program Characteristics
Program Highlights
TRAINING & PRODUCTIONS
•30+ productions per year including at least four musicals annually
•Performance experience begins first semester of freshman year
•Training in acting, singing, and dancing in preparation for professional musical theatre career
•74-credit-hour intensive program with 8 semesters of dance and voice lessons
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•Recipient of the Mayor's Arts Award for Artistic Achievement in the Performing Arts
FACILITIES
•Elder Theatre Center housing McDonald and Miller Theatres
CAREER PREPARATION
•Alumni working in major markets including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and internationally
•Senior Showcase, Internship, or Senior Capstone options
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Emily Kinney — Beth Greene on AMC's The Walking Dead, Broadway debut in Spring Awakening, appeared in Masters of Sex, The Flash, and Arrow
•Sandy Dennis — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1966), Tony Award winner (Any Wednesday)
Key Info
Program AppApplication
Apply atAcceptd
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
Songs
TWO CONTRASTING 16-32 BAR CUTS
•ONE SONG from a pre-1980 musical
•ONE SONG from a contemporary musical
•Must provide own accompaniment for Zoom and Chicago Unified auditions
•On-campus auditions: accompanist provided, bring sheet music
Monologues
ONE MONOLOGUE, 1 min max
•From a published play
•Should demonstrate range and emotional depth
Dance
DANCE AUDITION VIDEO, 45-90 sec
•Short dance video demonstrating movement ability
•Include a link to the video with your submission
Additional Materials
RESUME (required)
•Theatre resume with training and performance experience
HEADSHOT (required)
•Close-up photo
Good to Know
APPLICATION PROCESS
•Apply to NWU using the free online application
•Upload audition materials via Acceptd (optional if auditioning on campus)
MTCP
•Program follows the Musical Theatre Common Prescreen criteria via Acceptd
THESPIAN FESTIVAL AUDITIONS
•Treated as pre-screen auditions only
•Will NOT be considered for BFA Talent Scholarships alone
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE
•Must be accepted by Admissions and complete audition/interview by June 1 to be considered for talent scholarship
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•On-campus auditions individually scheduled September through April
•Zoom auditions available upon request
•Accompanist provided for on-campus auditions
SPECIAL BFA AUDITION DAYS
•December 6, 2025
•February 21, 2026
•BFA candidates highly encouraged to attend one of these dates
CHICAGO UNIFIED AUDITIONS
•February 2-4, 2026 at Palmer House Hilton
•Must provide own accompaniment at Unifieds
NOTIFICATION
•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
•Theatre scholarships based on talent, academic record, and leadership potential
•Need-based grants and loans also available
•Must complete audition/interview by June 1 to be considered
•Financial aid packages awarded after formal admission and audition completion
Program info updated Mar 27, 2:04 AM
TRAINING & PRODUCTIONS
•30+ productions per year including at least four musicals annually
•Performance experience begins first semester of freshman year
•Training in acting, singing, and dancing in preparation for professional musical theatre career
•74-credit-hour intensive program with 8 semesters of dance and voice lessons
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•Recipient of the Mayor's Arts Award for Artistic Achievement in the Performing Arts
FACILITIES
•Elder Theatre Center housing McDonald and Miller Theatres
CAREER PREPARATION
•Alumni working in major markets including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and internationally
•Senior Showcase, Internship, or Senior Capstone options
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Emily Kinney — Beth Greene on AMC's The Walking Dead, Broadway debut in Spring Awakening, appeared in Masters of Sex, The Flash, and Arrow
•Sandy Dennis — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1966), Tony Award winner (Any Wednesday)
Updated Mar 27, 2:04 AM
Academic School Information
3.63
Avg GPA (W)
80%
Admit Rate
67%
Grad Rate
1,453
Enrollment
$56,405
Earnings
10yr after
Tuition & Fees
$43,572
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$18,327
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Family Income $0 - $30k$14,925
Family Income $30k - $48k$16,974
Family Income $48k - $75k$14,594
Family Income $75k - $110k$18,244
Family Income $110k+$23,652
