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Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Stage Management

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

Pre-professional BFA with one-on-one mentorship under a resident Actors' Equity Association Stage Manager

Four-year intensive curriculum with progressively increasing production responsibilities

Students stage manage, assistant stage manage, and production assist on nine shows

Flexible curriculum with 18 credit hours of electives across the university

Notable Alumni

Lauren Cavanaugh — Assistant Stage Manager for American Utopia on Broadway; Netflix special The New One

Alan D. Knight — Production Stage Manager for Jesus Christ Superstar national tour; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Les Miserables

Bella Carpio — Assistant Stage Manager for A Bronx Tale national tour

David Alpert — Associate Director on Broadway; Creative Director for Idina Menzel

Angie McMahon — Theatre Specialist at Schuler Shook; former Technical Director at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Facilities

Three theatres with advanced lighting, infrared/color monitor systems, and high-tech cue light systems

Design studio with 24 CADD workstations; fully equipped stage management office

Masterclasses with nationally recognized professional guest artists

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

Cost Of Attendance · wmich.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 3, 7:43 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Pre-professional BFA with one-on-one mentorship under a resident Actors' Equity Association Stage Manager

Four-year intensive curriculum with progressively increasing production responsibilities

Students stage manage, assistant stage manage, and production assist on nine shows

Flexible curriculum with 18 credit hours of electives across the university

Notable Alumni

Lauren Cavanaugh — Assistant Stage Manager for American Utopia on Broadway; Netflix special The New One

Alan D. Knight — Production Stage Manager for Jesus Christ Superstar national tour; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Les Miserables

Bella Carpio — Assistant Stage Manager for A Bronx Tale national tour

David Alpert — Associate Director on Broadway; Creative Director for Idina Menzel

Angie McMahon — Theatre Specialist at Schuler Shook; former Technical Director at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Facilities

Three theatres with advanced lighting, infrared/color monitor systems, and high-tech cue light systems

Design studio with 24 CADD workstations; fully equipped stage management office

Masterclasses with nationally recognized professional guest artists

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Pre-professional BFA with one-on-one mentorship under a resident Actors' Equity Association Stage Manager

Four-year intensive curriculum with progressively increasing production responsibilities

Students stage manage, assistant stage manage, and production assist on nine shows

Flexible curriculum with 18 credit hours of electives across the university

Notable Alumni

Lauren Cavanaugh — Assistant Stage Manager for American Utopia on Broadway; Netflix special The New One

Alan D. Knight — Production Stage Manager for Jesus Christ Superstar national tour; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Les Miserables

Bella Carpio — Assistant Stage Manager for A Bronx Tale national tour

David Alpert — Associate Director on Broadway; Creative Director for Idina Menzel

Angie McMahon — Theatre Specialist at Schuler Shook; former Technical Director at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Facilities

Three theatres with advanced lighting, infrared/color monitor systems, and high-tech cue light systems

Design studio with 24 CADD workstations; fully equipped stage management office

Masterclasses with nationally recognized professional guest artists

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 audition may be submitted before the university application.

Apply

Acceptd

Auditions

Pittsburgh UnifiedsOct 24, 2026

WMU at Detroit School for the ArtsNov 7, 2026

Virtual Interview

Nov 14, 2026Jan 16, 2027

Michigan Thespian FestivalDec 11–12, 2026

Illinois High School Theatre FestivalJan 7–9, 2027

On-Campus Interview

Jan 30, 2027Feb 12, 2027

Theatre · wmich.edu

Interview Requirements

Digital Photo

Current digital photo

Resume

Acting/stage management resume

Writing Samples

Two writing samples (school papers, newspaper articles, research papers, etc.)

Portfolio Materials (If Available)

Production paperwork, prompt books, or production books

Documents showing organizational/administrative skills and leadership

Digital portfolio link can be sent to cheryl.bruey@wmich.edu if upload issues

References

Email addresses for two references (teachers, directors, or employers) who know your work, plus your high school drama teacher's email address

Scores / GPA

Current GPA

SAT/ACT scores

Application portal · Acceptd

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

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

Step 2: Submit theatre application via Acceptd

Rolling admission — offers possible within two weeks, but most decisions come by March

Waitlist possible

Apply to the university before December 1 for maximum scholarship opportunities

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 02wmu26 for subsequent applications

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

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

In-person or virtual with stage management faculty and staff

In-person: interview with Director of Stage Management, Director of Theatre Arts Management, and Technical Director

Virtual: interview with Director of Stage Management

Opportunity to show your work and share your interest in theatre and stage management

Speak with current students

Tour of facilities (in-person) or virtual Zoom tour

Parent/guardian Q&A with Department Chair Joan Herrington

Scholarship Info

Department awards scholarships in stage management and other areas

Based on academic achievement, experience, accomplishments, and service

New majors considered via interview; current students compete in March

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

Cost Of Attendance · wmich.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Pre-professional BFA with one-on-one mentorship under a resident Actors' Equity Association Stage Manager

Four-year intensive curriculum with progressively increasing production responsibilities

Students stage manage, assistant stage manage, and production assist on nine shows

Flexible curriculum with 18 credit hours of electives across the university

Notable Alumni

Lauren Cavanaugh — Assistant Stage Manager for American Utopia on Broadway; Netflix special The New One

Alan D. Knight — Production Stage Manager for Jesus Christ Superstar national tour; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Les Miserables

Bella Carpio — Assistant Stage Manager for A Bronx Tale national tour

David Alpert — Associate Director on Broadway; Creative Director for Idina Menzel

Angie McMahon — Theatre Specialist at Schuler Shook; former Technical Director at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Facilities

Three theatres with advanced lighting, infrared/color monitor systems, and high-tech cue light systems

Design studio with 24 CADD workstations; fully equipped stage management office

Masterclasses with nationally recognized professional guest artists

Updated Sep 3, 7:43 PM