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Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Concentrations

Quick Links

BFA Performing Arts

Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BFA Performing Arts

Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BFA Performing Arts

Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BFA Performing Arts

Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BFA Performing Arts

Theatre Design & Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Training

•BFA concentration emphasizing directing and devised theatre

•Conservatory-style training within a university environment

•50 credit hours of concentrated Theatre study within 74-hour BFA

•No minor or second major required

Performance & Productions

•15-20 department productions annually with approximately 75 performances

•Student-created Next Stage Series for directing and devising

•Opportunities across acting, design, stage management, and dramaturgy

•Teaching Assistant roles available

Professional Development

•Summer stock at theatres nationwide

•College Days weekends at Actors Theatre of Louisville

•Trips to London and New York City

•FUSE Grant support for research and artistic projects

School Info

Snapshot

3.46

Avg GPA (W)

94%

Admit Rate

school-wide

56%

Grad Rate

12.2K

Enrollment

$44K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$12,276

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$27,000

Before aid

Average Net Price

$10,990

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated Jun 27, 5:16 PM

Program Highlights

Training

•BFA concentration emphasizing directing and devised theatre

•Conservatory-style training within a university environment

•50 credit hours of concentrated Theatre study within 74-hour BFA

•No minor or second major required

Performance & Productions

•15-20 department productions annually with approximately 75 performances

•Student-created Next Stage Series for directing and devising

•Opportunities across acting, design, stage management, and dramaturgy

•Teaching Assistant roles available

Professional Development

•Summer stock at theatres nationwide

•College Days weekends at Actors Theatre of Louisville

•Trips to London and New York City

•FUSE Grant support for research and artistic projects

Program Highlights

Training

•BFA concentration emphasizing directing and devised theatre

•Conservatory-style training within a university environment

•50 credit hours of concentrated Theatre study within 74-hour BFA

•No minor or second major required

Performance & Productions

•15-20 department productions annually with approximately 75 performances

•Student-created Next Stage Series for directing and devising

•Opportunities across acting, design, stage management, and dramaturgy

•Teaching Assistant roles available

Professional Development

•Summer stock at theatres nationwide

•College Days weekends at Actors Theatre of Louisville

•Trips to London and New York City

•FUSE Grant support for research and artistic projects

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

Application Fee

$50

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Program AppApplication

Audition

Theatre Scholarship Day (WKU Campus)Feb 21, 2026

Post-Enrollment Audition Requirements

No interview is required for the initial application. This is an internal program gate students complete after enrolling at the university.Gateway source

Assigned Play Presentation (Required)

•Presentation on an assigned play as part of interview process

•Details provided by department upon scheduling

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•December 31: WKU priority deadline for automatic academic scholarship consideration

•February 15: Apply and be admitted to WKU for theatre scholarship consideration

•Set up TopDollar Scholarship Source account to receive funds

•February 21: Theatre Scholarship Day — live interviews on campus

Enrollment

•Fall enrollment only

•Students begin Theatre concentration coursework from first semester

•No separate program application portal — department handles interviews directly

Admission Pathway

•Formal admission via interview in 3rd semester

•Denied applicants may reapply the following semester

Transfer Pathway

BFA Performing Arts enrolls students as seeking-admission pre-majors, then uses an internal audition or interview for full admission; transfer students work with an advisor to determine the application semester.

Official Source

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Students enroll as "seeking admission" pre-majors and begin BFA coursework immediately

•Interview and presentation on an assigned play for full admission in 3rd semester (2nd for transfers)

•Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA required with at least 30 college credits

•Must demonstrate exceptional talent, commitment, and professional potential

•Scholarship interviews may include a resume and examples of theatre work, if available

•Theatre Scholarship Day is February 21, 2026

Contact

•Christopher Gilly-Forrer: christopher.gilly-forrer@wku.edu

Scholarship Info

Jerry E. Baker Foundation Scholarships

•$500 to several thousand dollars

•Typically split between fall and spring semesters of first year

•One-time award; may reapply for current-student scholarships in future years

•Must maintain full-time enrollment

Potter College Creative Arts Scholarships

•$1,000 to several thousand dollars per year

•Renewable for 4 years (8 semesters)

•Requires 3.0+ cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment

•Must complete minimum 9 credit hours yearly in major

•Transfer students not eligible

In-State Tuition

•Students from bordering states qualify for in-state tuition rates

•Departmental and university scholarships are stackable up to full cost of attendance

School Info

Snapshot

3.46

Avg GPA (W)

94%

Admit Rate

school-wide

56%

Grad Rate

12.2K

Enrollment

$44K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$12,276

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$27,000

Before aid

Average Net Price

$10,990

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•BFA concentration emphasizing directing and devised theatre

•Conservatory-style training within a university environment

•50 credit hours of concentrated Theatre study within 74-hour BFA

•No minor or second major required

Performance & Productions

•15-20 department productions annually with approximately 75 performances

•Student-created Next Stage Series for directing and devising

•Opportunities across acting, design, stage management, and dramaturgy

•Teaching Assistant roles available

Professional Development

•Summer stock at theatres nationwide

•College Days weekends at Actors Theatre of Louisville

•Trips to London and New York City

•FUSE Grant support for research and artistic projects

Updated Jun 27, 5:16 PM