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School of Theatre Arts

Applying to SoTA

School of Theatre Arts Tour

Because ours is a highly selective program, IWU students experience close, personal instruction from an outstanding faculty who lead them through rigorous theatrical training.

The School of Theatre Arts sees thousands of candidates from across the country each year and mindfully accepts only a handful.

Applications to the School of Theatre Arts open on August 1. 

 

Application & Audition Requirements by Program

  1. All students applying for the BA in Theatre Arts program must first submit a FREE application to Illinois Wesleyan University.
  2. Admission to the BA in Theatre Arts program is an open enrollment process. Audition and/or design portfolio submissions are required only if you are applying for a talent scholarship. To apply for a talent scholarship, students may present auditions in the area of acting, vocal performance, or directing. Applicants are also welcome to submit portfolios in the areas of design, scholarship, or creative writing. These materials can be presented in person by selecting one of the talent scholarship interview dates below or uploaded via IWU student status portal. To submit auditions or portfolios via your IWU student status portal, click on the edit portfolio link at the bottom of the page. Please include your audition or portfolio materials, headshot, and resume.

2023-2024 BA Interview dates

For assistance with the application process, contact theatre@iwu.edu or (309) 556-3944.

  1. All students applying for the BFA - Theatre Design & Technology program must first submit a FREE application to Illinois Wesleyan University.
  2. After your IWU application has been submitted, you will be able to upload your resume of theatre work, recent headshot and portfolio* via your student status portal (this is where your application checklist is located). Clicking the edit portfolio link at the bottom of the page will take you to instructions for uploading your materials.

    *Examples of Artistry or portfolio should present examples of your work in the form of design drawings or sketches (hand or computer), light and sound plots, paint elevations, scenic models, costume renderings and prompt books from theatrical productions. Other examples include photographs of process work or productions, schedules, paper work, programs/posters, sewing projects, craft and properties projects, design boards, research or other evidence of your artistic abilities such as drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery, graphic design, art photography, metal or jewelry making.
  3. Once these materials have been uploaded, schedule and complete a faculty interview by selecting one of the options below.

2023-24 Theatre Design & Technology Interview options:

For assistance with the application process, contact theatre@iwu.edu or (309) 556-3944.

  1. All students applying for the BFA - Acting program must first submit a FREE application to Illinois Wesleyan University.
  2. After your IWU application has been submitted, you will be able to upload your pre-screen materials via your student status portal (this is where your application checklist is located).* Clicking the edit portfolio link at the bottom of the page will take you to instructions for uploading your pre-screen materials which should include your resume of theatre work, recent headshot and prescreen audition.

    The prescreen audition should include two contrasting monologues that are within your casting age and range. They should be taken from modern plays.  (No Shakespeare, verse or dialects, please). Select active monologues, not passive voice, that you feel express your current strengths as an actor. Each selection should be memorized, thoroughly rehearsed and one to two minutes in length.

    *You may also upload these materials via Acceptd.
  3. Once your application is screened by our faculty, you may be invited to a call-back audition and/or interview on one of the following days:

    2023-2024 BFA Acting Audition/Interview dates:
  4. November 18, 2023 on-campus audition
  5. January 27, 2024 on-campus audition
  6. February 10, 2024 on-campus or live virtual audition option available*
  7. February 24, 2024 on-campus audition
  8. Individual dates available by appointment

    * To be eligible for the Feb. 10 virtual audition, you must have submitted any required pre-screen materials by January 20, 2024.

Note: Faculty attend the International Thespian Festival, Southeastern Theatre Conference, College Audition Project and the Illinois High School Theatre Festival annually. Students called back at any of these events must still complete the full application process.

For assistance with the application process, contact theatre@iwu.edu or (309) 556-3944.

  1. Apply to Illinois Wesleyan University.
  2. Every prospective School of Theatre Arts (SoTA) Music Theatre applicant must also submit a School of Theatre Arts application via Acceptd. You can apply to IWU and the School of Theatre Arts at the same time.
  3. Upload your pre-screen materials via Acceptd. A resume of theatre work and headshot are also required in addition to the pre-screen materials* detailed below. Pre-screen deadline is January 1, 2024.
  4. Once your application is screened by our faculty, if selected, you will be notified by the recruitment office to sign-up for callback on one of the following days:

    2023-24 Audition Schedule:
  5. November 18, 2023 on-campus audition
  6. January 27, 2024 on-campus audition
  7. February 10, 2024 on-campus or live virtual audition option available
  8. February 24, 2024 on-campus audition

Note: Faculty attend the International Thespian Festival, Southeastern Theatre Conference, College Audition Project and the Illinois High School Theatre Festival annually. Students called back at any of these events must still complete the full application process. 

** IWU participates in the Paper Mill Playhouse Common Prescreen, which includes the following materials:

Prescreen Deadline: 1/1/2024

Application Deadline: Rolling

Song Requirements: Option A: 2 Songs; 1 - Pre-1970; 1 - Post-1970

  • One song should be written before 1970. This song can be either the “uptempo” or the “ballad” (student’s choice).
  • One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
  • One of the two songs (student’s choice) should be filmed in a full frame shot to see your full range of expression, and the other one in a close-up shot (top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame).

Monologue Requirements: Option A; 1 Monologue -Contemporary (Typically Post-1950)

  • 1 contemporary monologue (typically written after 1950), 60-90 seconds in length
  • The contemporary monologue should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.

Dance Submission: Required

  • 30-60 seconds of dance in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident. This may include, but is not limited to jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or dance styles beyond American and Euro-western styles.
  • Please do not submit “barre work”. Instead, check to see if the auditioning program offers the optional “Ballet Submission” which is listed below.
  • Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well. To the best of your ability, move your body fully. Please include at least one turn, one jump and one kick (or other suitable rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body).
  • Dance media can be “self-choreographed”, but it must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
  • Framing: All dance media should be filmed in a “full frame” shot taking care to keep the student’s entire person in the frame at all times. (This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 60 seconds).
  • Style: Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be connected to the music where the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose.
  • All choreography must be performed to music; please no “a cappella” dance media.

Ballet Submission: Optional 

Wild Card Submission: Optional 

Digital Prescreen Required? Yes, Required

 

Admission Deadlines & Notification

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling deadline beginning August 1.

BFA Acting and BFA Music Theatre pre-screens will not be reviewed if incomplete, including an IWU application. Please allow 4-6 weeks after submitting your pre-screen for faculty to review your materials and make a call-back decision.

Review of applications begins in September. Admissions decisions will arrive by approximately March 15.

Laura Dolan - Fine Arts Admissions Coordinator

Department - Admissions

(309) 556-3063