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Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately Selective12-24 Students

Program Recognition

•Conservatory-style BFA training at a public university price

•Undergraduate-only program — BFA performance majors fill all roles in productions

•Annual senior digital showcase for industry professionals

Training

•7-8 mainstage productions per year across three professional theatre spaces

•Acting majors eligible for both plays and musicals

•Training in film production, new play development, and devised work

•Private vocal, movement, and on-camera specialty courses

•Intimacy direction support and wellness training for artists

Notable Alumni

•Victoria Blade — HBO's The Outsider, Watchmen, Dynasty, Blue Bloods, Chicago Fire

•Cory Blevins — NCIS, Parenthood, Dexter, House, The X-Files

•Larry Herron — Modern Family, NCIS, Shameless, Criminal Minds

•Dayna Jarae Dantzler — Broadway: Waitress, The Book of Mormon

•Crystal Lucas-Perry — 2019 Lucille Lortel Award winner for Ain't No Mo'

•Darren Edward Johnson — Associate Producer on Hadestown, Mean Girls, Ain't Too Proud

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2025: 20 students

School Info

Snapshot

3.53

Avg GPA (W)

85%

Admit Rate

school-wide

58%

Grad Rate

12.6K

Enrollment

$54K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$16,589

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$20,665

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$37,270

Before aid

Average Net Price

$15,273

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 8, 8:10 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Conservatory-style BFA training at a public university price

•Undergraduate-only program — BFA performance majors fill all roles in productions

•Annual senior digital showcase for industry professionals

Training

•7-8 mainstage productions per year across three professional theatre spaces

•Acting majors eligible for both plays and musicals

•Training in film production, new play development, and devised work

•Private vocal, movement, and on-camera specialty courses

•Intimacy direction support and wellness training for artists

Notable Alumni

•Victoria Blade — HBO's The Outsider, Watchmen, Dynasty, Blue Bloods, Chicago Fire

•Cory Blevins — NCIS, Parenthood, Dexter, House, The X-Files

•Larry Herron — Modern Family, NCIS, Shameless, Criminal Minds

•Dayna Jarae Dantzler — Broadway: Waitress, The Book of Mormon

•Crystal Lucas-Perry — 2019 Lucille Lortel Award winner for Ain't No Mo'

•Darren Edward Johnson — Associate Producer on Hadestown, Mean Girls, Ain't Too Proud

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2025: 20 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Conservatory-style BFA training at a public university price

•Undergraduate-only program — BFA performance majors fill all roles in productions

•Annual senior digital showcase for industry professionals

Training

•7-8 mainstage productions per year across three professional theatre spaces

•Acting majors eligible for both plays and musicals

•Training in film production, new play development, and devised work

•Private vocal, movement, and on-camera specialty courses

•Intimacy direction support and wellness training for artists

Notable Alumni

•Victoria Blade — HBO's The Outsider, Watchmen, Dynasty, Blue Bloods, Chicago Fire

•Cory Blevins — NCIS, Parenthood, Dexter, House, The X-Files

•Larry Herron — Modern Family, NCIS, Shameless, Criminal Minds

•Dayna Jarae Dantzler — Broadway: Waitress, The Book of Mormon

•Crystal Lucas-Perry — 2019 Lucille Lortel Award winner for Ain't No Mo'

•Darren Edward Johnson — Associate Producer on Hadestown, Mean Girls, Ain't Too Proud

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2025: 20 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App· Only option

Fee

$40

Deadline

Early ActionDec 1, 2026

Rolling AdmissionInternational undergraduateJun 1, 2027

Transfer and other undergraduate applicantsAug 15, 2027

Deadlines · wmich.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The prescreen may be submitted before the university application.

Apply

Acceptd

Auditions

WMU at Detroit School for the ArtsNov 7, 2026

Virtual Audition and Callback Day

Nov 14, 2026Jan 16, 2027

Michigan Thespian FestivalDec 11–12, 2026

Illinois High School Theatre FestivalJan 7–9, 2027

On-Campus Audition

Jan 30, 2027Feb 12, 2027

Chicago Unified AuditionsFeb 3–4, 2027

Theatre · wmich.edu

Prescreen Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Monologues

Monologue Requirements

Two Contrasting Monologues, 1 Min Each (45 Sec Ideal)

•Contemporary, realistic scripts recommended — ideally written within the last hundred years

•Material should be within your age range (within 5-10 years of your actual age) and understanding

•Choose monologues from published plays — not monologue books

•Choose pieces where you are actively working to impact the character you are speaking to

•No costumes, dialects, or props

Additional Materials

•Current digital photo

Acting Resume

•Two reference email addresses (teachers or directors who know your work)

•Current GPA

Acting · wmich.edu

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Live Monologue Requirements

In-Person First Round

•Perform one of your two prepared monologues for the faculty panel

•Slate with your name, play title, and playwright name

•A timer will be used — do not worry if you are cut off

Live-Virtual Callback (If Invited)

•Faculty may work with you on your submitted monologue material during the Zoom callback

Acting · wmich.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Step 1: Submit WMU university application at wmich.edu/apply

•Step 2: Submit theatre application via Acceptd portal

Admission Pathway

•You must apply separately for each program you are interested in

•Application fee is only required for the first program — use coupon code 02wmu25 for subsequent applications

•Contact theatre-info@wmich.edu if the Acceptd fee presents a financial hardship

Important Notes

•Apply to the university before December 1 for maximum scholarship opportunities

•Rolling admission — apply and audition early if possible

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Virtual route: submit two contrasting recorded monologues (two minutes total) and a separate one-minute personal video through Acceptd as the first round

•Virtual first-round videos use landscape, waist-up framing; applicants who advance are invited to a live Zoom callback with material work, student Q&A, and a virtual tour

•In-person route: begin with a live monologue audition; applicants who advance complete a group movement callback in nonbinding movement clothing

•After the in-person group movement callback, you may be invited to an individual faculty interview; the interview is not required of every applicant

Decisions

•Faculty reviews all applicants after all auditions are completed

•Initial offers are made to a class of twenty actors, with a ranked alternate list

•Offers are communicated via email or phone — ensure accurate contact information

Scholarship Info

•Department awards scholarships in performance, design, technical, stage management, and arts management

•Based on academic achievement, experience, accomplishments, service, and financial need

•New majors considered via audition/interview; current students compete in March

•Apply before December 1 for university scholarship opportunities

•Apply at wmich.scholarshipuniverse.com

School Info

Snapshot

3.53

Avg GPA (W)

85%

Admit Rate

school-wide

58%

Grad Rate

12.6K

Enrollment

$54K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$16,589

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$20,665

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$37,270

Before aid

Average Net Price

$15,273

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Conservatory-style BFA training at a public university price

•Undergraduate-only program — BFA performance majors fill all roles in productions

•Annual senior digital showcase for industry professionals

Training

•7-8 mainstage productions per year across three professional theatre spaces

•Acting majors eligible for both plays and musicals

•Training in film production, new play development, and devised work

•Private vocal, movement, and on-camera specialty courses

•Intimacy direction support and wellness training for artists

Notable Alumni

•Victoria Blade — HBO's The Outsider, Watchmen, Dynasty, Blue Bloods, Chicago Fire

•Cory Blevins — NCIS, Parenthood, Dexter, House, The X-Files

•Larry Herron — Modern Family, NCIS, Shameless, Criminal Minds

•Dayna Jarae Dantzler — Broadway: Waitress, The Book of Mormon

•Crystal Lucas-Perry — 2019 Lucille Lortel Award winner for Ain't No Mo'

•Darren Edward Johnson — Associate Producer on Hadestown, Mean Girls, Ain't Too Proud

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2025: 20 students

Updated Aug 8, 8:10 PM