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North Central College

Naperville, IL

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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

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Quick links

BA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Training

Rigorous but supportive acting, singing, and dancing training in a liberal arts setting

Coursework includes acting for the musical stage, music theory for actors, dance, script analysis, and voice lessons

Students build competencies across theatre, dance, and music rather than a narrow conservatory track

Performance & Productions

Six full theatrical productions each year, including two musicals

Musical theatre students can perform in departmental productions, dance productions, choirs, a cappella groups, and student organizations

Production Practicum is the cornerstone of the Theatre program

Notable Alumni

Ariana Burks '21 — Chicago stage and screen actress with credits at Steppenwolf Theatre (The Compass) and Goodman Theatre (A Christmas Carol), plus NBC's Chicago Med and Chicago Fire

Professional Development

Annual Senior Showcase in downtown Chicago for casting directors and agents

Guest artist workshops and Chicago-area professional faculty connections

Internships and industry preparation through the department's Chicago theatre network

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.57

Admit rate

77%

school-wide

Grad rate

64%

Enrollment

2.4K

Earnings

$60K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$48,744

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$68,826

Before aid

Average net price

$21,044

After aid

Costs · northcentralcollege.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 13, 2:25 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Rigorous but supportive acting, singing, and dancing training in a liberal arts setting

Coursework includes acting for the musical stage, music theory for actors, dance, script analysis, and voice lessons

Students build competencies across theatre, dance, and music rather than a narrow conservatory track

Performance & Productions

Six full theatrical productions each year, including two musicals

Musical theatre students can perform in departmental productions, dance productions, choirs, a cappella groups, and student organizations

Production Practicum is the cornerstone of the Theatre program

Notable Alumni

Ariana Burks '21 — Chicago stage and screen actress with credits at Steppenwolf Theatre (The Compass) and Goodman Theatre (A Christmas Carol), plus NBC's Chicago Med and Chicago Fire

Professional Development

Annual Senior Showcase in downtown Chicago for casting directors and agents

Guest artist workshops and Chicago-area professional faculty connections

Internships and industry preparation through the department's Chicago theatre network

Program Highlights

Training

Rigorous but supportive acting, singing, and dancing training in a liberal arts setting

Coursework includes acting for the musical stage, music theory for actors, dance, script analysis, and voice lessons

Students build competencies across theatre, dance, and music rather than a narrow conservatory track

Performance & Productions

Six full theatrical productions each year, including two musicals

Musical theatre students can perform in departmental productions, dance productions, choirs, a cappella groups, and student organizations

Production Practicum is the cornerstone of the Theatre program

Notable Alumni

Ariana Burks '21 — Chicago stage and screen actress with credits at Steppenwolf Theatre (The Compass) and Goodman Theatre (A Christmas Carol), plus NBC's Chicago Med and Chicago Fire

Professional Development

Annual Senior Showcase in downtown Chicago for casting directors and agents

Guest artist workshops and Chicago-area professional faculty connections

Internships and industry preparation through the department's Chicago theatre network

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Application · Common App

Scholarship Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Optional audition for scholarship consideration only; it is not required for program admission.

Songs

Song Cut

One-minute song cut

Song should contrast with your monologue

Accompaniment

Bring sheet music in a three-ring binder for in-person auditions

An accompanist will be provided

Preparation

All material should be memorized

Monologues

One Monologue, 1 Min

Should contrast with your song selection

All material should be memorized

Additional Materials

Resume (Required)

Headshot (Required)

Letter of Recommendation

One letter from a theatre professional; theatre educators may qualify

25 26 Theatre Guidelines (1).Pdf · northcentralcollege.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Complete the North Central admission application before registering for a theatre scholarship audition or portfolio review

Registration is through the fine arts audition page after admission; North Central uses rolling admission

Important Notes

Theatre auditions and portfolio reviews are for Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship consideration

Auditioning or interviewing before the financial aid offer is strongly encouraged; later reviews could adjust other institutional aid

Contact

Case-by-case audition requests: ncauditionsrsvp@noctrl.edu

Fine arts questions: fineartauditions@noctrl.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

In-person or virtual theatre scholarship auditions are available for admitted students

Published 2026-2027 audition and portfolio review dates have concluded

Newly applied students may still be considered for an individual audition case-by-case

Audition Expectations

Prepare the current theatre guideline requirements listed in the Submission Requirements card

Dress in a way that represents you well and feels comfortable for performance

Decisions

Audition results are available within 2-3 weeks

Contact

Ncauditionsrsvp@noctrl.edu

Scholarship Info

Theatre Scholarships

Fine and Performing Arts Scholarships are available to admitted students, majors and non-majors

Awards are merit-based and vary by audition quality

No audition fee

Students may receive more than one fine arts scholarship, subject to the annual total award limit

Full theatre scholarship holders work on one show per term, complete one technical term per year, and contribute departmental service hours

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.57

Admit rate

77%

school-wide

Grad rate

64%

Enrollment

2.4K

Earnings

$60K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$48,744

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$68,826

Before aid

Average net price

$21,044

After aid

Costs · northcentralcollege.edu College Scorecard

Training

Rigorous but supportive acting, singing, and dancing training in a liberal arts setting

Coursework includes acting for the musical stage, music theory for actors, dance, script analysis, and voice lessons

Students build competencies across theatre, dance, and music rather than a narrow conservatory track

Performance & Productions

Six full theatrical productions each year, including two musicals

Musical theatre students can perform in departmental productions, dance productions, choirs, a cappella groups, and student organizations

Production Practicum is the cornerstone of the Theatre program

Notable Alumni

Ariana Burks '21 — Chicago stage and screen actress with credits at Steppenwolf Theatre (The Compass) and Goodman Theatre (A Christmas Carol), plus NBC's Chicago Med and Chicago Fire

Professional Development

Annual Senior Showcase in downtown Chicago for casting directors and agents

Guest artist workshops and Chicago-area professional faculty connections

Internships and industry preparation through the department's Chicago theatre network

Updated Sep 13, 2:25 PM