Program
No PrescreenGateway AuditionGateway InterviewIn-Person or VirtualUniversity App Required
Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Gateway Audition
Gateway Interview
University App Required
Program Highlights
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•WIU "Signature Program" designation
•Competitive admission through audition
•Honors curriculum available to qualified students
TRAINING & PERFORMANCE
•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
FINANCIAL VALUE
•In-state tuition for all 50 states
•Talent Grant/Tuition Waiver guaranteed with BFA acceptance
•Additional departmental funding opportunities available
Key Info
Program AppApplication
Apply atSchool 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
No audition required to apply. Students audition for the program after enrolling at the university.
Songs
SONG REQUIREMENTS
•Prepare two songs — one full song and one cut for each (~2–3 minutes each)
•One musical theatre song from any time period
•One contrasting song in any style (musical theatre, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.)
•Songs should contrast in style — sustained melody vs. speech-like singing, belt vs. falsetto/mix, comedic vs. dramatic
IN-PERSON AUDITION
•Bring sheet music well-marked in a binder with NO sheet protectors
•Staff accompanist provided
VIDEO SUBMISSION
•Submit a separate video for each song
•Use pre-recorded accompaniment — place speaker closer to you than to the recording device for balanced audio
Monologues
MONOLOGUE REQUIREMENTS
•One monologue from a published play or written by a professional writer
•A professional writer is someone whose plays have been produced, but may not have been professionally published
•Choose age-appropriate material (within 5–10 years of your actual age)
•Active monologues that take place in real time work best — direct communication with an imaginary scene partner
•Avoid monologues that rely on props, costumes, dialects, or extreme emotions
•Consider how the monologue pairs with your song selections to expand your range as an actor
Dance
DANCE REQUIREMENTS
IN-PERSON AUDITION
•~45-minute dance call including 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
•Bring jazz dance shoes if you have them (no street sneakers allowed on the dance floor)
•No tap included
VIDEO SUBMISSION
•Submit a video showing your best dancing or moving in any discipline (jazz, ballet, modern, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, etc.)
•Include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick (or suitable rotation, elevation, and extension)
•A dance tutorial video can be provided upon request — contact Donald Laney at dj-laney@wiu.edu
Wildcard / Special Skill (Optional)
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
REQUIRED MATERIALS
•Current headshot
•Current resume
•WIU BFA Musical Theatre Audition Form (Google Form — must be completed before or at time of audition)
•Two references/recommendations — names and email addresses of people who can speak to your readiness for a conservatory-style MT program
SLATE VIDEO (VIDEO SUBMISSION ONLY)
•State your name and pronouns (if desired)
•No need to slate on individual performance videos — label each video clearly instead
Good to Know
APPLICATION PROCESS
•Apply to WIU through the university application portal
•Sign up for an audition via the WIU BFA MT Audition Sign-Up form (Google Form)
•No pre-screen required
•No Acceptd or SlideRoom portal — audition materials submitted via email or in person
MTCP FORMAT
•Program uses Musical Theatre Common Pre-Screen requirements as audition format
•Not connected to or associated with Common App — simply shared terminology
DAY IN THE LIFE
•Free campus visit experience offered on Fridays before each on-campus audition date
•Meet students, attend classes (including voice and dance), tour spaces, and see a show
•Custom campus visits also available with advance notice during the academic year
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•On-campus auditions held on Saturdays beginning at 9:30am in Simpkins Hall
•Also available at Illinois High School Theatre Festival and National Unified Auditions (Chicago only)
•Video submission accepted for those unable to visit campus
•Auditions at outside events are partial — follow-up with dance video and paperwork required
INTERVIEW
•On-campus: short faculty interview at end of audition day
•Video submission: ~20-minute virtual Zoom interview with BFA/MT faculty and current students scheduled after materials are reviewed
IMPORTANT NOTES
•You do NOT need to be accepted to WIU before auditioning
•It's never too late to audition — new students accepted up to start of semester
•All students are initially admitted as acting majors; BFA MT offer changes the major
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
Program info updated 4d ago
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•WIU "Signature Program" designation
•Competitive admission through audition
•Honors curriculum available to qualified students
TRAINING & PERFORMANCE
•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
FINANCIAL VALUE
•In-state tuition for all 50 states
•Talent Grant/Tuition Waiver guaranteed with BFA acceptance
•Additional departmental funding opportunities available
Updated 4d ago
Academic School Information
3.38
Avg GPA (W)
71%
Admit Rate
45%
Grad Rate
4,410
Enrollment
$54,163
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$15,264
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,264
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$12,937
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Family Income $0 - $30k$6,941
Family Income $30k - $48k$8,787
Family Income $48k - $75k$12,062
Family Income $75k - $110k$16,294
Family Income $110k+$19,701
