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Northern Illinois University

DeKalb, IL

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Program snapshot

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

Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Training

Actor training based on Meisner and Stanislavski methods, reexamined through an anti-racist lens

Movement training includes Loyd Williamson, Michael Chekhov, Laban, Alexander Technique, yoga, and period styles

Voice and speech training based in Fitzmaurice Voicework with Linklater, Rodenberg, and Knight/Thompson pedagogy

On-camera work, auditioning techniques, and professional development

Individualized training emphasizing authenticity and truthful performance on stage and screen

Anti-racist curriculum highlighting BIPOC playwrights, plays, and guest artists

Notable Alumni

Joan Allen — Tony winner (Burn This), 3x Academy Award nominee, Steppenwolf Theatre co-founder

Mary Holland — series regular on CBS' Ghosts, Veep, Happiest Season

Wood Harris — Avon Barksdale on The Wire, Above the Rim, Remember the Titans

Steve Harris — 2x Emmy-nominated for The Practice, Diary of a Mad Black Woman

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.40

Admit rate

70%

school-wide

Grad rate

49%

Enrollment

11.3K

Earnings

$58K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,400

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$14,400

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$33,872

Before aid

Average net price

$13,391

After aid

Index.Shtml · niu.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 4d ago

Program Highlights

Training

Actor training based on Meisner and Stanislavski methods, reexamined through an anti-racist lens

Movement training includes Loyd Williamson, Michael Chekhov, Laban, Alexander Technique, yoga, and period styles

Voice and speech training based in Fitzmaurice Voicework with Linklater, Rodenberg, and Knight/Thompson pedagogy

On-camera work, auditioning techniques, and professional development

Individualized training emphasizing authenticity and truthful performance on stage and screen

Anti-racist curriculum highlighting BIPOC playwrights, plays, and guest artists

Notable Alumni

Joan Allen — Tony winner (Burn This), 3x Academy Award nominee, Steppenwolf Theatre co-founder

Mary Holland — series regular on CBS' Ghosts, Veep, Happiest Season

Wood Harris — Avon Barksdale on The Wire, Above the Rim, Remember the Titans

Steve Harris — 2x Emmy-nominated for The Practice, Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Program Highlights

Training

Actor training based on Meisner and Stanislavski methods, reexamined through an anti-racist lens

Movement training includes Loyd Williamson, Michael Chekhov, Laban, Alexander Technique, yoga, and period styles

Voice and speech training based in Fitzmaurice Voicework with Linklater, Rodenberg, and Knight/Thompson pedagogy

On-camera work, auditioning techniques, and professional development

Individualized training emphasizing authenticity and truthful performance on stage and screen

Anti-racist curriculum highlighting BIPOC playwrights, plays, and guest artists

Notable Alumni

Joan Allen — Tony winner (Burn This), 3x Academy Award nominee, Steppenwolf Theatre co-founder

Mary Holland — series regular on CBS' Ghosts, Veep, Happiest Season

Wood Harris — Avon Barksdale on The Wire, Above the Rim, Remember the Titans

Steve Harris — 2x Emmy-nominated for The Practice, Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Index.Shtml · niu.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

National Unified Auditions Chicago (Palmer House Hilton)Feb 1–3, 2027

National Unified Auditions Los Angeles/Anaheim (Hilton Anaheim)Feb 6, 2027

On-Campus Audition (Corner Theatre, Stevens Building)Mar 26, 2027

Index.Shtml · niu.edu

Audition Requirements

Monologues

1 monologue from a published play (no TV or film scripts)

Must not exceed 2 minutes; fully memorized

Additional Materials

Headshot (Required)

Bring a headshot or photo of yourself to your audition

Resume (Required)

Bring a theatrical resume to your audition

Index.Shtml · niu.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to NIU for general admission before auditioning

Schedule directly with the School of Theatre and Dance; no separate audition portal is used

Important Notes

National Unified Auditions carry a $25 audition fee, paid by cash or check on the day of the audition

What's The Process

Audition Process

Audition on campus in the Corner Theatre (Stevens Building, DeKalb) on scheduled days from January through April 2027

Or audition at the National Unified Auditions in New York City, Chicago or Los Angeles/Anaheim (in person only)

If none of those dates or locations works, request a private in-person or Zoom audition

Contact Bethany Mangum-Oles (bmangum1@niu.edu) to schedule any of these; self-tapes are not accepted

NIU also lists on-campus days of Jan 25, Feb 18, Feb 29 and Apr 19, 2027 and a New York City National Unified Audition on Jan 24, 2027; these dates and weekdays do not agree (there is no Feb 29, 2027), so confirm them with Bethany Mangum-Oles before planning around them

Audition Expectations

Prepare one monologue from a published play, not to exceed two minutes and fully memorized; material from TV or film scripts is not accepted

Allow 20 minutes for the live audition and interview

Optional: you may sing 16 bars unaccompanied (2026-27 Undergraduate Catalog)

Provide a photo of yourself and a theatrical resume on the day of your audition

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.40

Admit rate

70%

school-wide

Grad rate

49%

Enrollment

11.3K

Earnings

$58K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,400

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$14,400

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$33,872

Before aid

Average net price

$13,391

After aid

Index.Shtml · niu.edu College Scorecard

Training

Actor training based on Meisner and Stanislavski methods, reexamined through an anti-racist lens

Movement training includes Loyd Williamson, Michael Chekhov, Laban, Alexander Technique, yoga, and period styles

Voice and speech training based in Fitzmaurice Voicework with Linklater, Rodenberg, and Knight/Thompson pedagogy

On-camera work, auditioning techniques, and professional development

Individualized training emphasizing authenticity and truthful performance on stage and screen

Anti-racist curriculum highlighting BIPOC playwrights, plays, and guest artists

Notable Alumni

Joan Allen — Tony winner (Burn This), 3x Academy Award nominee, Steppenwolf Theatre co-founder

Mary Holland — series regular on CBS' Ghosts, Veep, Happiest Season

Wood Harris — Avon Barksdale on The Wire, Above the Rim, Remember the Titans

Steve Harris — 2x Emmy-nominated for The Practice, Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Updated 4d ago