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Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

Largest theatre and dance program in the state of Kentucky, housed in the NKU School of the Arts

A liberal arts-based degree for students pursuing multiple interests in theatre and dance

41 credits in the major in the 2026-2027 catalog

Training

Core courses in acting (Acting I), stage makeup, stagecraft, playscript analysis, and theatre history and dramatic literature I and II

Fifteen credit hours of TAR/DAN electives chosen across the department’s course groups, plus three production credits

Performance & Productions

The 2026-27 season includes White Christmas and Rock of Ages! in the Corbett Theatre and Little Women: The Musical in the Stauss Theatre

Professional Development

Internships with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Vincent Lighting, Cincinnati Opera, Image Engineering, Cincinnati Shakespeare, and Cincinnati Ballet

Study abroad opportunities to explore theatre around the world

Facilities

Patricia A. Corbett Theatre: proscenium theatre with a fly system and an automated orchestra pit

Robert and Rosemary Stauss Theatre: black box seating up to 150 in flexible configurations

Degree Flexibility

A minor or focus is required with the BA, so students pair theatre with a second area of study

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.35

Admit rate

68%

school-wide

Grad rate

52%

Enrollment

8.2K

Earnings

$50K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$11,712

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$15,696

Before aid

Average net price

$8,191

After aid

Tuition · nku.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 2d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Largest theatre and dance program in the state of Kentucky, housed in the NKU School of the Arts

A liberal arts-based degree for students pursuing multiple interests in theatre and dance

41 credits in the major in the 2026-2027 catalog

Training

Core courses in acting (Acting I), stage makeup, stagecraft, playscript analysis, and theatre history and dramatic literature I and II

Fifteen credit hours of TAR/DAN electives chosen across the department’s course groups, plus three production credits

Performance & Productions

The 2026-27 season includes White Christmas and Rock of Ages! in the Corbett Theatre and Little Women: The Musical in the Stauss Theatre

Professional Development

Internships with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Vincent Lighting, Cincinnati Opera, Image Engineering, Cincinnati Shakespeare, and Cincinnati Ballet

Study abroad opportunities to explore theatre around the world

Facilities

Patricia A. Corbett Theatre: proscenium theatre with a fly system and an automated orchestra pit

Robert and Rosemary Stauss Theatre: black box seating up to 150 in flexible configurations

Degree Flexibility

A minor or focus is required with the BA, so students pair theatre with a second area of study

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Largest theatre and dance program in the state of Kentucky, housed in the NKU School of the Arts

A liberal arts-based degree for students pursuing multiple interests in theatre and dance

41 credits in the major in the 2026-2027 catalog

Training

Core courses in acting (Acting I), stage makeup, stagecraft, playscript analysis, and theatre history and dramatic literature I and II

Fifteen credit hours of TAR/DAN electives chosen across the department’s course groups, plus three production credits

Performance & Productions

The 2026-27 season includes White Christmas and Rock of Ages! in the Corbett Theatre and Little Women: The Musical in the Stauss Theatre

Professional Development

Internships with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Vincent Lighting, Cincinnati Opera, Image Engineering, Cincinnati Shakespeare, and Cincinnati Ballet

Study abroad opportunities to explore theatre around the world

Facilities

Patricia A. Corbett Theatre: proscenium theatre with a fly system and an automated orchestra pit

Robert and Rosemary Stauss Theatre: black box seating up to 150 in flexible configurations

Degree Flexibility

A minor or focus is required with the BA, so students pair theatre with a second area of study

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Common App Final DeadlineJul 28, 2027

Application · Common App

Program AppApplication

Auditions

On-Campus (Optional Scholarship)

Dec 5, 2026Mar 26, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Video audition deadline (Optional Scholarship, Dec)Dec 3, 2026

Video audition deadline (Optional Scholarship, Mar)Mar 25, 2027

Index · nku.edu

University Essays

Honors College essayOptional

The school shows this prompt only after you sign in to NKU application portal.

The Honors College page calls it the required essay and gives no length or prompt. Only if you apply to the NKU Honors College (the Honors application opens with your NKU application login).

Index · nku.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Admission Pathway

No separate program application needed

Apply to NKU through Common App or the university website and declare the Theatre & Dance BA major

Important Notes

BA students may audition for talent scholarships through the BFA audition process via Acceptd

What's The Process

No audition or interview required — any student admitted to NKU may declare the Theatre & Dance BA degree as a major

Scholarship Info

Talent Scholarships

Available if student auditions through BFA audition process via Acceptd

Handled by the Theatre & Dance Program

Academic Scholarships

Including GSA and GSP — handled by admissions and financial aid

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.35

Admit rate

68%

school-wide

Grad rate

52%

Enrollment

8.2K

Earnings

$50K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$11,712

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$15,696

Before aid

Average net price

$8,191

After aid

Tuition · nku.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Largest theatre and dance program in the state of Kentucky, housed in the NKU School of the Arts

A liberal arts-based degree for students pursuing multiple interests in theatre and dance

41 credits in the major in the 2026-2027 catalog

Training

Core courses in acting (Acting I), stage makeup, stagecraft, playscript analysis, and theatre history and dramatic literature I and II

Fifteen credit hours of TAR/DAN electives chosen across the department’s course groups, plus three production credits

Performance & Productions

The 2026-27 season includes White Christmas and Rock of Ages! in the Corbett Theatre and Little Women: The Musical in the Stauss Theatre

Professional Development

Internships with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Vincent Lighting, Cincinnati Opera, Image Engineering, Cincinnati Shakespeare, and Cincinnati Ballet

Study abroad opportunities to explore theatre around the world

Facilities

Patricia A. Corbett Theatre: proscenium theatre with a fly system and an automated orchestra pit

Robert and Rosemary Stauss Theatre: black box seating up to 150 in flexible configurations

Degree Flexibility

A minor or focus is required with the BA, so students pair theatre with a second area of study

Updated 2d ago