Admission Overview
Admission to Illinois Wesleyan University is highly selective. All incoming students must submit and application to the University, along with transcripts and test scores. Prospective BFA students must complete 
both their application to the University and their audition/portfolio before their applications will be reviewed for admission. We recommend that auditions and/or portfolio presentation be completed before March 6, 2013. Directions to Campus
Audition Procedures
Auditions or portfolio presentations are an integral part of the admission decision for our Bachelor of Fine Arts candidates. Applicants to the BFA Acting and BFA Music Theatre programs must audition to be admitted, and applicants to the BFA Design and Technology program must present a portfolio. Auditions and portfolio interviews are held to determine a student's experience and potential for success in our programs, as well as to determine eligibility for Talent Awards and Alumni Talent Scholarships. Auditions and portfolio reviews are held to determine a student's experience and potential for success in a theatre-related career, as well as to determine Talent Scholarship Award amounts.
Auditions are held on-campus only. This provides you with the opportunity to take a campus tour, have lunch with students, and possibly see a rehearsal or performance. For campus visit information, click here. Faculty also attend The Nebraska Thespian Festival, SETC and the North Dallas and Booker T. Washington auditions. Students will be called back from these auditions however, an on campus audition is still required.
Live auditions provide you the best opportunity to show us what you can do. If you live more than 200 miles from campus, we will accept a DVD from you for
pre-screening purposes.
Audition/ Portfolio Dates for 2013
November 10
January 26
February 16
March 2
BFA in Theatre Arts/Acting:
- Resume and Photo: Applicants must submit a recent head shot and a resume of all theatre work.
-
Audition: Prepare two contrasting monologues that are within your casting age and range. They should be take from modern plays, (NO Shakespeare, verse or dialects please) Each one should be memorized and thoroughly rehearsed. Each one should be one to two minutes in length.
-
Interview: In addition to the audition, prospective students will interview with the Head of the BFA in Acting degree track.
BFA In Design and Technolog
y:
- Resume and Photo : Applicants must submit a recent photo or head shot and a resume of all theatre work.
-
Portfolio: The portfolio should present examples of your work in the form of photographs, slides and/or drawings of theatrical productions on which you have worked. Other examples of photographs, drafting, props, sewn garments, woodworking, sketching, drawing, painting or other evidence of your artistic abilities are also helpful.
-
BFA in Music Theatre:
-
Resume and Headshot : Applicants must submit a resume of all theatre work and a recent head shot.
-
Audition: The audition has three components: acting, singing and dancing.
-
Acting: Prepare two contrasting monologues within your casting age range; adolescent to 30 years old and personality type. (No Shakespeare, verse or dialects please.) Each one should be approximately one minute in length. Select active monologues (not passive voice) that you feel express your current strengths as an actor. Avoid text from musical theatre librettos and work for real contrast between the two selections. Each selection should be memorized and thoroughly rehearsed.
-
Singing: Prepare vocal selections from music theatre literature, one ballad and one up-tempo. Cut the song to 32 bars of music. (Do not sing the whole song.) An accompanist will be provided; bring your sheet music and make sure your cuts are clearly marked and you are prepared to talk with the accompanist. Please note that a 32 bar cut is sufficient, but you may be asked to sing the entire song. Each selection should be memorized and thoroughly rehearsed. Click here for the "Overdone, songs that should be avoided" document.
-
Dancing: The dance audition will be taught as a class, with warm up, followed by ballet and jazz combinations. Bring appropriate attire for dance, especially shoes.
BA in Theatre Arts
-
Resume and Photo: Applicants must submit a recent photograph or head shot and a resume of theatre work.
-
Application: Applicants must submit a completed copy of the BA Application for review.
-
Interview: All BA applicants must schedule an on-campus interview with the Director of the School of Theatre Arts and Head of the BA program. Auditions and interviews are held on campus during audition days.
- Talent Audition: Students wishing to audition for a talent award or talent scholarship may present either the acting or the portfolio, as outlined on the previous areas requirements.
Admission Deadlines & Notification
Admission to Illinois Wesleyan University is selective, and auditions are an integral part of the admission decision. Prospective students in Theatre and Music Theatre must complete both their application to the University and their audition for the School of Theatre Arts before their application will be reviewed for admission. We recommend you complete your application and audition prior to the final on campus audition date. Review of applications begins in December with notification of decisions being mailed January 1 through April 1. In addition, prospective students must submit an application to the University, along with transcripts and test scores. To contact IWU's Admission office, click here.
Also see our Campus Visit page.
To arrange an Audition or a Portfolio Presentation, please call or write Cristen Susong in the Theatre Admission Office, Illinois Wesleyan University, P.O. Box 2900, Bloomington, IL 61702-2900 (309) 556-3944. E-mail: theatre@iwu.edu
Meet the staff in the Theatre Arts recruiting Office:
Emilie BA '13 Allie BFA Acting '13 Ian BFA MT '15 Cristen Susong
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School of Theatre Arts
Illinois Wesleyan University
P.O. Box 2900, Bloomington, Illinois 61702-2900
Telephone: 309.556.3944
Fax: 309.556.3411
Theatre Box Office: 309.556.3232
Disclaimer