Public school4.4K

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 VirtualMTCP Participant

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

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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

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

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

•Variety of in-class and onstage performance opportunities throughout undergraduate career

•Professional summer experience integral to graduation

•Culminates in a senior project

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 Apr 30, 2:19 AM

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

•Variety of in-class and onstage performance opportunities throughout undergraduate career

•Professional summer experience integral to graduation

•Culminates in a senior project

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

•Variety of in-class and onstage performance opportunities throughout undergraduate career

•Professional summer experience integral to graduation

•Culminates in a senior project

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

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Fee

$30Waiver

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Auditions

On-Campus AuditionOct 18, 2025

IL High School Theatre Festival (ISU)Jan 8, 2026

On-Campus AuditionFeb 28, 2026

On-Campus AuditionApr 4, 2026

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)

•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?"

•No time requirement, but keep it under 5 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

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

•Acceptd Walk In Auditions are a separate outside event in January 2026 and must be handled through that event platform

•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 campus visit experience offered on Fridays before each on-campus audition date

•Visit day can include classes, theatre spaces, faculty/students, and a show or rehearsal

•Custom campus visits may also be 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 an approximately 20-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

Audition Expectations

•On-campus auditions are held on Saturdays beginning at 9:30am in Simpkins Hall

•In-person options include campus, Illinois High School Theatre Festival, National College Unified Auditions in Chicago, and Acceptd Walk In Auditions

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

•Video submissions accepted for students unable to audition in person

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

•Variety of in-class and onstage performance opportunities throughout undergraduate career

•Professional summer experience integral to graduation

•Culminates in a senior project

Value

•In-state tuition for all 50 states

•Talent Grant/Tuition Waiver guaranteed with BFA acceptance

•Additional departmental funding opportunities available

Updated Apr 30, 2:19 AM

Western Illinois University

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Program Highlights

Key Info

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Good to Know

What's The Process

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