Public school4.4K

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL

Test-OptionalGreek Life

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Selective

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Selective

Browse programs

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BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Selective

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Selective

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Production/Design

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

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

Academic info

Snapshot

3.38

Avg GPA (W)

71%

Admit Rate

school-wide

45%

Grad Rate

4.4K

Enrollment

$54K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$12,937

after typical aid

In-State Tuition

$15,264

before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$15,264

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$6,941

$30-48k$8,787

$48-75k$12,062

$75-110k$16,294

$110k+$19,701

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated May 31, 10:34 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

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$30Waiver

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Program AppApplication

Apply

Google Forms

Auditions

On-Campus AuditionOct 31, 2026

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

On-Campus AuditionApr 3, 2027

Audition Requirements

Songs

MTCP Song Option B

•One musical theater song from any time period

•One contrasting song of your choice (any style)

•60-90 seconds each

Monologues

MTCP Monologue Option a

•One monologue from a published play or professional writer

•60-90 seconds

Dance

MTCP Dance Option B

•Dance/movement video required

•Show your best version of dancing/moving

•No specific technical requirements

•60-90 seconds

Ballet

MTCP Ballet Option C

•Ballet not required

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

Application Materials

•Current headshot

•Current resume

•WIU BFA Musical Theatre Audition Form must be completed before or at the same time as audition materials

•Two references/recommendations submitted through the audition form

•Video submissions require a PDF with clearly marked links to each video and material

Slate Video (Video Submission Only)

•State your name and pronouns, if desired

•No separate slate needed on individual performance videos; label each video clearly instead

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply to WIU through the university application portal

•Sign up for an audition through the WIU BFA Musical Theatre Audition Sign-Up form

•Complete the separate WIU BFA Musical Theatre Audition Form before or at the same time as your audition

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

•Program uses Musical Theatre Common Pre-Screen requirements as the audition format, but no prescreen is required and it is not connected to Common App

Important Notes

•Free "Day in the Life" campus visit experience available by request

•Visit can include classes, theatre spaces, faculty/students, a rehearsal or performance, and meetings with Admissions and Financial Aid

•Custom campus visits also available with advance notice during the academic year

What's The Process

Audition Process

•No prescreen required

•You do not need to be accepted to WIU before auditioning

•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

•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."

•On-campus audition dates (see Dates tab)

•College Audition Program (CAP) in St. Louis, MO

•Illinois High School Theatre Festival

•National College Unified Auditions (Chicago only)

•Video submission for students unable to attend in person

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

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

Academic info

Snapshot

3.38

Avg GPA (W)

71%

Admit Rate

school-wide

45%

Grad Rate

4.4K

Enrollment

$54K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$12,937

after typical aid

In-State Tuition

$15,264

before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$15,264

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$6,941

$30-48k$8,787

$48-75k$12,062

$75-110k$16,294

$110k+$19,701

View full data on 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 May 31, 10:34 PM

Western Illinois University

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info

Western Illinois University

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info