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Northwest Missouri State University

Maryville, MO

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

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BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Training

Semi-comprehensive approach covers all major theatre areas while allowing focused specialization

Profession-based learning through production involvement early in your academic career

Graduates work as actors, directors, designers, stage managers, and more

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage productions per year plus one-act opportunities

First-year student showcase for immediate involvement

Bi-annual large-scale musical produced jointly between theatre and music programs (recent shows: Urinetown, The SpongeBob Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma, The Music Man)

Professional Development

Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society with annual touring children's show

Comedy Inc. comedy club featuring sketch, improv, and stand-up

USITT (United States Institute for Technical Theatre) chapter

Facilities

Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts

Charles Johnson Theater (549 seats) and Mary Linn Auditorium (1,022 seats)

Studio Theatre (black box) for student-directed productions

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.42

Admit rate

86%

school-wide

Grad rate

54%

Enrollment

4.4K

Earnings

$48K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,250

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$23,250

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$29,960

Before aid

Average net price

$16,244

After aid

Freshmen · nwmissouri.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 27, 10:10 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Semi-comprehensive approach covers all major theatre areas while allowing focused specialization

Profession-based learning through production involvement early in your academic career

Graduates work as actors, directors, designers, stage managers, and more

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage productions per year plus one-act opportunities

First-year student showcase for immediate involvement

Bi-annual large-scale musical produced jointly between theatre and music programs (recent shows: Urinetown, The SpongeBob Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma, The Music Man)

Professional Development

Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society with annual touring children's show

Comedy Inc. comedy club featuring sketch, improv, and stand-up

USITT (United States Institute for Technical Theatre) chapter

Facilities

Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts

Charles Johnson Theater (549 seats) and Mary Linn Auditorium (1,022 seats)

Studio Theatre (black box) for student-directed productions

Program Highlights

Training

Semi-comprehensive approach covers all major theatre areas while allowing focused specialization

Profession-based learning through production involvement early in your academic career

Graduates work as actors, directors, designers, stage managers, and more

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage productions per year plus one-act opportunities

First-year student showcase for immediate involvement

Bi-annual large-scale musical produced jointly between theatre and music programs (recent shows: Urinetown, The SpongeBob Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma, The Music Man)

Professional Development

Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society with annual touring children's show

Comedy Inc. comedy club featuring sketch, improv, and stand-up

USITT (United States Institute for Technical Theatre) chapter

Facilities

Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts

Charles Johnson Theater (549 seats) and Mary Linn Auditorium (1,022 seats)

Studio Theatre (black box) for student-directed productions

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

International Fee

$75

Deadline

First-year applicants

Rolling - First-Year

Transfer applicants

Rolling - Transfer

Apply · nwmissouri.edu Apply · nwmissouri.edu

Post-Enrollment Interview 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.

No interview is required for the initial application. The optional scholarship review (audition and interview) is separate from the internal interview gate students complete after enrollment.Gateway source

Monologues

Two Contrasting Monologues, Up to 3 Min Total

One comic and one serious

Include a brief slate (introduction) at the beginning

Additional Materials

Scholarship Application Form (If Auditioning)

Download from the Northwest Theatre website

Complete and email to Dr. Joe Kreizinger before your audition

Scholarships · nwmissouri.edu

Good to Know

Admission Pathway

Apply via Common App or the Northwest application portal

Rolling admissions

30-credit-hour program with a required minor

Minor options can complement theatre training (e.g., creative writing, wellness)

Program Requirements

Theatre advanced standing is required before 300-level theatre courses

Review includes theatre core grades, written/oral readiness questions, and a resume plus professional portfolio or prepared monologues

What's The Process

Audition Process

No audition required for program admission

Optional scholarship audition for first-year and transfer theatre majors

Available Mondays and Wednesdays, 2-5 PM during the academic year

Also available during fall and spring campus visit days or by appointment

Schedule by emailing Dr. Joe Kreizinger at jkreizi@nwmissouri.edu

Audition Expectations

Perform two contrasting monologues (one comic, one serious), up to 3 minutes total

Approximately 20 minutes of conversation about theatre interests and career goals

Tour of the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts following the audition

Scholarship Info

Theatre Scholarships

Awarded annually to new first-year and transfer theatre majors

Based on theatre accomplishments, academic excellence, and expected involvement

10-20 service award scholarships offered each year for roles including box office management, performance coaching, and scene shop supervision

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.42

Admit rate

86%

school-wide

Grad rate

54%

Enrollment

4.4K

Earnings

$48K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,250

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$23,250

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$29,960

Before aid

Average net price

$16,244

After aid

Freshmen · nwmissouri.edu College Scorecard

Training

Semi-comprehensive approach covers all major theatre areas while allowing focused specialization

Profession-based learning through production involvement early in your academic career

Graduates work as actors, directors, designers, stage managers, and more

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage productions per year plus one-act opportunities

First-year student showcase for immediate involvement

Bi-annual large-scale musical produced jointly between theatre and music programs (recent shows: Urinetown, The SpongeBob Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma, The Music Man)

Professional Development

Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society with annual touring children's show

Comedy Inc. comedy club featuring sketch, improv, and stand-up

USITT (United States Institute for Technical Theatre) chapter

Facilities

Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts

Charles Johnson Theater (549 seats) and Mary Linn Auditorium (1,022 seats)

Studio Theatre (black box) for student-directed productions

Updated Aug 27, 10:10 PM