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Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective

Program Recognition

WIU "Signature Program" designation

Competitive admission through audition

Honors curriculum available to qualified students

Training

Rigorous pre-professional conservatory-style training in acting, dance, and voice

Working theatre, dance, and music artists serve as faculty

Full-time dedicated voice and dance instructors

Performance opportunities beginning freshman year

Eight fully-realized productions per year including two dance concerts

Masterclasses with industry professionals

"Business of the business" courses for career readiness

Professional summer experience integral to graduation

Culminates in a senior project

Professional Development

Chicago Industry Showcase in fall of senior year, with website sent nationwide

New Goldfarb Center for the Performing Arts opening September 2026

Value

In-state tuition for all 50 states

Talent Grant/Tuition Waiver guaranteed with BFA acceptance

Additional departmental funding opportunities available

School Info

Snapshot

3.38

Avg GPA (W)

71%

Admit Rate

school-wide

45%

Grad Rate

4.4K

Enrollment

$54K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$13,550

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$13,550

Before aid

Average Net Price

$12,937

After aid

B · wiu.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 5, 11:28 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

WIU "Signature Program" designation

Competitive admission through audition

Honors curriculum available to qualified students

Training

Rigorous pre-professional conservatory-style training in acting, dance, and voice

Working theatre, dance, and music artists serve as faculty

Full-time dedicated voice and dance instructors

Performance opportunities beginning freshman year

Eight fully-realized productions per year including two dance concerts

Masterclasses with industry professionals

"Business of the business" courses for career readiness

Professional summer experience integral to graduation

Culminates in a senior project

Professional Development

Chicago Industry Showcase in fall of senior year, with website sent nationwide

New Goldfarb Center for the Performing Arts opening September 2026

Value

In-state tuition for all 50 states

Talent Grant/Tuition Waiver guaranteed with BFA acceptance

Additional departmental funding opportunities available

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

WIU "Signature Program" designation

Competitive admission through audition

Honors curriculum available to qualified students

Training

Rigorous pre-professional conservatory-style training in acting, dance, and voice

Working theatre, dance, and music artists serve as faculty

Full-time dedicated voice and dance instructors

Performance opportunities beginning freshman year

Eight fully-realized productions per year including two dance concerts

Masterclasses with industry professionals

"Business of the business" courses for career readiness

Professional summer experience integral to graduation

Culminates in a senior project

Professional Development

Chicago Industry Showcase in fall of senior year, with website sent nationwide

New Goldfarb Center for the Performing Arts opening September 2026

Value

In-state tuition for all 50 states

Talent Grant/Tuition Waiver guaranteed with BFA acceptance

Additional departmental funding opportunities available

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Fee

$30

Deadline

International Recommended Fall DeadlineApr 1, 2027

Recommended Fall DeadlineAug 1, 2027

Regular DecisionRolling

Apply Now · wiu.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The audition may be submitted before the university application.

Apply

Google Forms

Auditions

On-Campus Audition

Oct 31, 2026Apr 3, 2027

On-Campus Audition (Presidents Day)Feb 15, 2027

CAP Audition - St. Louis, MO (Nov 2026)TBA

Illinois High School Theatre Festival Audition (Jan 2027)TBA

National Unified Auditions - Chicago (Feb 2027)TBA

Bfamusicaltheatreaudition · wiu.edu

Audition Requirements

Songs

Two Song Selections

One musical theatre song/cut from any time period

One contrasting song/cut in any style that best suits you (musical theatre, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.)

Songs should contrast in style, such as sustained melody vs. speech-like singing, belt vs. falsetto/mix, comedic vs. dramatic

Material should be fully memorized and performance-ready

On-campus: each cut approximately 90 seconds to 2 minutes

Video submission: each song approximately 2-3 minutes

In-Person Audition

Bring music well marked in a binder with no sheet protectors

Staff accompanist provided; pre-recorded accompaniment accepted but live accompanist preferred

Video Submission

Submit a separate video for each song; no continuous video

Use prerecorded accompaniment, with the speaker closer to you than to the recording device for balanced audio

Clearly label each song video with the title and your name

Monologues

One Monologue

One monologue from a published play or written by a professional writer

Professional writer means the writer's plays have been produced, even if not professionally published

Choose age-appropriate material, generally within 5-10 years of your actual age

Active monologues that happen in real time and communicate with an imaginary scene partner work best

Avoid material that relies on props, costumes, dialects, makeup, or extreme emotions

Consider how the monologue pairs with your songs to expand your acting range

Dance

In-Person Dance Call

Approximately 45-minute dance call with center work and a short combination

Faculty evaluates potential, energy, coordination, rhythm, and ability to take corrections

Wear form-fitting clothing; loose clothing can be dangerous in a dance call

Wear hair out of face in a way that will not impede movement

Bring jazz dance shoes if available; street sneakers are not allowed on the dance floor

No tap included

Video Submission

Submit a video showing your best dancing or moving in any discipline

Include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick, or suitable rotation, elevation, and extension

Recent show or concert footage is acceptable only if you are the only person in frame

Dance tutorial video available by request from Donald Laney at dj-laney@wiu.edu

Wild Card (Optional, Video Submission Only)

Share something about yourself: a special skill, interesting story, passionate speech, a theatrical memory, an instrument you play, etc.

Think of it as: "What do you want us to know about you?"

Keep to approximately 2-3 minutes

Additional Materials

Headshot

Current headshot

Resume

Current resume

Letters of Recommendation

Two recommenders or references

Provide names and email addresses in the audition form

WIU sends each recommender a questionnaire and does not consider the audition complete until both responses are received

Questionnaire

Complete the WIU BFA Musical Theatre Audition Form before submitting audition materials

Slate Video (Video Submissions Only)

State your name and pronouns, if desired

Do not add a separate slate to individual performance videos; label each video clearly instead

Edit · docs.google.com

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

You may audition before applying to WIU; if an offer is made, WIU directs you to Admissions to apply

Apply to WIU through the university application portal

Register for on-campus, partner-event, or video audition options through the WIU BFA Musical Theatre Audition Sign-Up form

Complete the separate WIU BFA Musical Theatre Audition Form before the audition or when submitting videos

No school-specific Acceptd or SlideRoom portal; video materials are submitted by email and in-person auditions are registered through WIU's form

WIU uses Musical Theatre Common Pre-Screen requirements as its audition format, but no prescreen is required and this is not connected to Common App

Partner Events

College Audition Project (CAP) in St. Louis, MO — November 2026

Illinois High School Theatre Festival — January 2027; initial registration is through the student's school

National Unified Auditions — Chicago only, February 2027

Partner-event auditions are partial; WIU follows up for dance video, paperwork, and other completion steps

Campus Visits

Free "Day in the Life" and custom campus visits are available by request during the academic year

What's The Process

Audition Process

No prescreen required

Audition in person (on campus or at a partner audition event) or by video submission

On-campus audition ends with a short faculty interview

Video submissions are reviewed first, then selected applicants schedule a 20-30 minute Zoom interview with BFA/MT faculty and current students

Auditions at outside events (CAP, Illinois High School Theatre Festival, Unifieds) are partial; WIU follows up for dance video, paperwork, and other completion steps

Video submissions are accepted on a rolling basis with no published deadline

Students interested in Musical Theatre are initially admitted to WIU as acting majors; selected candidates are then changed to the BFA Musical Theatre major

"It's never too late to audition. We will accept new students up to the start day of the new semester."

Contact

Questions: Lysa Fox, Head of Musical Theatre, l-fox@wiu.edu

Scholarship Info

Talent Grant / Tuition Waiver

Acceptance into the BFA Musical Theatre program guarantees a two-semester (first year) Talent Grant/Tuition Waiver

Additional Talent Grant/Tuition Waiver opportunities available within the department, including University Dance Company membership

Departmental scholarships available after enrollment — not offered up front

University scholarship portal available for additional financial aid

Earlier auditions can guarantee more financial assistance

School Info

Snapshot

3.38

Avg GPA (W)

71%

Admit Rate

school-wide

45%

Grad Rate

4.4K

Enrollment

$54K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$13,550

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$13,550

Before aid

Average Net Price

$12,937

After aid

B · wiu.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

WIU "Signature Program" designation

Competitive admission through audition

Honors curriculum available to qualified students

Training

Rigorous pre-professional conservatory-style training in acting, dance, and voice

Working theatre, dance, and music artists serve as faculty

Full-time dedicated voice and dance instructors

Performance opportunities beginning freshman year

Eight fully-realized productions per year including two dance concerts

Masterclasses with industry professionals

"Business of the business" courses for career readiness

Professional summer experience integral to graduation

Culminates in a senior project

Professional Development

Chicago Industry Showcase in fall of senior year, with website sent nationwide

New Goldfarb Center for the Performing Arts opening September 2026

Value

In-state tuition for all 50 states

Talent Grant/Tuition Waiver guaranteed with BFA acceptance

Additional departmental funding opportunities available

Updated Aug 5, 11:28 PM