Private school2.4K

North Central College

Naperville, IL

Faith-BasedTest-OptionalLGBTQ+

Start free

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Theatrical Design & Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Training

Hands-on theatrical design and technology training in stagecraft, lighting, sound, costumes, scenic design, stage management, and drafting

Students graduate with a professional portfolio and website

Coursework includes portfolio development, advanced design topics, scenic design, costume design, sound design, and lighting design

Performance & Productions

Advanced undergraduates can be selected as designers on full season productions with departmental budgets

Student designers work under mentorship from professional faculty and guest designers

Production Practicum integrates design and technical theatre work into the department season

Professional Development

Chicago-area guest artists and faculty help students build theatre industry networks

Recent graduates interned with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre, American Theatre Company, and Greenhouse Theater Center

Career preparation includes portfolio development, assistant design roles, and focused job interview preparation

School Info

Snapshot

3.57

Avg GPA (W)

77%

Admit Rate

school-wide

64%

Grad Rate

2.4K

Enrollment

$60K

Earnings

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 Aug 7, 2:04 AM

Program Highlights

Training

Hands-on theatrical design and technology training in stagecraft, lighting, sound, costumes, scenic design, stage management, and drafting

Students graduate with a professional portfolio and website

Coursework includes portfolio development, advanced design topics, scenic design, costume design, sound design, and lighting design

Performance & Productions

Advanced undergraduates can be selected as designers on full season productions with departmental budgets

Student designers work under mentorship from professional faculty and guest designers

Production Practicum integrates design and technical theatre work into the department season

Professional Development

Chicago-area guest artists and faculty help students build theatre industry networks

Recent graduates interned with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre, American Theatre Company, and Greenhouse Theater Center

Career preparation includes portfolio development, assistant design roles, and focused job interview preparation

Program Highlights

Training

Hands-on theatrical design and technology training in stagecraft, lighting, sound, costumes, scenic design, stage management, and drafting

Students graduate with a professional portfolio and website

Coursework includes portfolio development, advanced design topics, scenic design, costume design, sound design, and lighting design

Performance & Productions

Advanced undergraduates can be selected as designers on full season productions with departmental budgets

Student designers work under mentorship from professional faculty and guest designers

Production Practicum integrates design and technical theatre work into the department season

Professional Development

Chicago-area guest artists and faculty help students build theatre industry networks

Recent graduates interned with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre, American Theatre Company, and Greenhouse Theater Center

Career preparation includes portfolio development, assistant design roles, and focused job interview preparation

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Application · Common App

Scholarship Interview and Portfolio 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 interview and portfolio for scholarship consideration only; they are not required for program admission.

Portfolio

Prepare original work in any or all of these categories: scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, projections, props, painting, and stage management

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 portfolio reviews 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 review case-by-case

Audition Expectations

Prepare the current theatre guideline portfolio or work sample listed in the Submission Requirements card

Be ready to discuss your theatre interests and creative work

Decisions

Review results are available within two 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 design/technology portfolio and interview 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

3.57

Avg GPA (W)

77%

Admit Rate

school-wide

64%

Grad Rate

2.4K

Enrollment

$60K

Earnings

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

Hands-on theatrical design and technology training in stagecraft, lighting, sound, costumes, scenic design, stage management, and drafting

Students graduate with a professional portfolio and website

Coursework includes portfolio development, advanced design topics, scenic design, costume design, sound design, and lighting design

Performance & Productions

Advanced undergraduates can be selected as designers on full season productions with departmental budgets

Student designers work under mentorship from professional faculty and guest designers

Production Practicum integrates design and technical theatre work into the department season

Professional Development

Chicago-area guest artists and faculty help students build theatre industry networks

Recent graduates interned with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre, American Theatre Company, and Greenhouse Theater Center

Career preparation includes portfolio development, assistant design roles, and focused job interview preparation

Updated Aug 7, 2:04 AM