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Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre, PA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

Accolades and awards from the American College Theatre Festival (Kennedy Center)

Students regularly selected to audition at Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC)

Training

Pre-professional, conservatory-style training grounded in the liberal arts

One of the few regional schools offering a BFA in Musical Theatre

Small class sizes with low student-to-faculty ratio

Intensive training in acting, voice, and dance across all eight semesters

Four mainstage productions annually — two musicals and two non-musicals

Six black box productions per year plus annual dance concerts

Performance opportunities begin in the first year

Notable Alumni

Joshua Shepard ('19) — professional actor and performer

Kristopher Tjornhom ('20) — professional actor and performer

Facilities

478-seat Darling Theatre with 34-foot proscenium stage and hydraulic orchestra pit

36-line fly system with state-of-the-art lighting and sound

Black box theatre and dedicated dance studios

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.50

Admit rate

91%

school-wide

Grad rate

63%

Enrollment

Earnings

$63K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$46,780

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$69,494

Before aid

Average net price

$27,743

After aid

Financial Aid Awards · wilkes.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 3d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Accolades and awards from the American College Theatre Festival (Kennedy Center)

Students regularly selected to audition at Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC)

Training

Pre-professional, conservatory-style training grounded in the liberal arts

One of the few regional schools offering a BFA in Musical Theatre

Small class sizes with low student-to-faculty ratio

Intensive training in acting, voice, and dance across all eight semesters

Four mainstage productions annually — two musicals and two non-musicals

Six black box productions per year plus annual dance concerts

Performance opportunities begin in the first year

Notable Alumni

Joshua Shepard ('19) — professional actor and performer

Kristopher Tjornhom ('20) — professional actor and performer

Facilities

478-seat Darling Theatre with 34-foot proscenium stage and hydraulic orchestra pit

36-line fly system with state-of-the-art lighting and sound

Black box theatre and dedicated dance studios

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Accolades and awards from the American College Theatre Festival (Kennedy Center)

Students regularly selected to audition at Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC)

Training

Pre-professional, conservatory-style training grounded in the liberal arts

One of the few regional schools offering a BFA in Musical Theatre

Small class sizes with low student-to-faculty ratio

Intensive training in acting, voice, and dance across all eight semesters

Four mainstage productions annually — two musicals and two non-musicals

Six black box productions per year plus annual dance concerts

Performance opportunities begin in the first year

Notable Alumni

Joshua Shepard ('19) — professional actor and performer

Kristopher Tjornhom ('20) — professional actor and performer

Facilities

478-seat Darling Theatre with 34-foot proscenium stage and hydraulic orchestra pit

36-line fly system with state-of-the-art lighting and sound

Black box theatre and dedicated dance studios

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Early ActionDec 1, 2026

Priority admissionJan 15, 2027

Regular DecisionRolling

Index · wilkes.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

On-Campus Audition

Nov 21, 2026Feb 27, 2027Mar 20, 2027Apr 17, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Recorded Virtual AuditionRolling

Request Audition · wilkes.edu

Audition Requirements

Songs

Requirements

Two Contrasting songs, 1-2 min each

One song demonstrating chest or head voice (most up-tempo Broadway numbers are appropriate)

One Broadway ballad

You may perform the entire song but do not need to do multiple verses

Must bring sheet music for the accompanist (provided at in-person auditions)

Monologues

Requirements

Two Contrasting monologues, 1-2 min each

Contrasting pairs: one comic and one dramatic, or one classical (pre-1700) and one modern

Must be from a published play

Must be memorized

Dance

On-the-Spot Jazz/Musical Theatre Combination

Taught at in-person auditions

Virtual applicants receive a digital routine via email to record and submit

Prior dance experience expected

Additional Materials

Headshot

A headshot or photograph

Resume

A resume

Letters of Recommendation

At least one letter of recommendation from an academic instructor

Sheet Music

Sheet music: copies of your audition repertoire for the pianist

Request Audition · wilkes.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Enrollment

Fall enrollment only

Current catalog lists 125 total credits required for degree completion

Program Requirements

All BFA Musical Theatre students must audition for all mainstage productions and accept assigned roles

Formal review of each BFA candidate at the end of their fourth semester

Must maintain a 2.5 GPA in the major to continue on the BFA degree path

Contact

Jon Liebetrau, Chair: jon.liebetrau@wilkes.edu / (570) 408-4442

What's The Process

Audition Process

You must be accepted to the university before your audition date

Schedule via the Request for Audition form on the Division of Performing Arts website

In-person auditions strongly encouraged for greatest chance of acceptance

Virtual option available for students who live far from campus

Virtual submissions: send digital files to jon.liebetrau@wilkes.edu

Scholarship awards determined on a rolling basis, audition early for best consideration

Audition Expectations

Three-part audition: acting, singing, and dancing

In-person auditions held on campus on scheduled dates

Scholarship Info

Scholarship awards based on audition performance

Determined on a rolling basis — audition early for best consideration

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.50

Admit rate

91%

school-wide

Grad rate

63%

Enrollment

Earnings

$63K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$46,780

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$69,494

Before aid

Average net price

$27,743

After aid

Financial Aid Awards · wilkes.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Accolades and awards from the American College Theatre Festival (Kennedy Center)

Students regularly selected to audition at Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC)

Training

Pre-professional, conservatory-style training grounded in the liberal arts

One of the few regional schools offering a BFA in Musical Theatre

Small class sizes with low student-to-faculty ratio

Intensive training in acting, voice, and dance across all eight semesters

Four mainstage productions annually — two musicals and two non-musicals

Six black box productions per year plus annual dance concerts

Performance opportunities begin in the first year

Notable Alumni

Joshua Shepard ('19) — professional actor and performer

Kristopher Tjornhom ('20) — professional actor and performer

Facilities

478-seat Darling Theatre with 34-foot proscenium stage and hydraulic orchestra pit

36-line fly system with state-of-the-art lighting and sound

Black box theatre and dedicated dance studios

Updated 3d ago

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