BFA Auditions – Interviews – Portfolio Reviews

FALL 2023/SPRING 2024 DATES

The following list includes dates for our 2023/2024 Audition/Interview Days. Please select your desired date and follow the links for signing up. Also- please note- those auditioning at Theatrefest will need to register with Theatrefest to secure an audition time- our form on this website just allows us to know to look for you.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT DAYS DO FILL UP AND REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE WHEN WE HAVE EXCEEDED MAXIMUM CAPACITY. YOU ARE ADVISED TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR PREFERRED DATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

A brief description of your options:

PAST: Nov. 4^th, 2023: VIRTUAL (ONLINE ONLY) AUDITION/INTERVIEW DAY

An all-online option for those unable to travel to an in-person, on campus interview. Prospective students interested in EARLY ACTION consideration MUST sign up for Nov 4 or Dec 2 dates.  ALL MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SATURDAY, OCT. 28th at NOON. Please see Uploading Instructions and Zoom Interview information below.

Dec. 2^nd, 2023: IN PERSON, ON CAMPUS AUDITION/INTERVIEW DAY

Auditions and Portfolio Reviews in the morning. Interviews in the afternoon.  Prospective students interested in EARLY ACTION consideration MUST sign up for Nov. 4th, Dec. 2nd, or Dec. 3rd dates.

Dec. 3^rd, 2023: IN PERSON, ON CAMPUS AUDITION/INTERVIEW DAY

Auditions and Portfolio Reviews in the morning. Interviews in the afternoon.  Prospective students interested in EARLY ACTION consideration MUST sign up for Nov. 4th, Dec. 2nd, or Dec. 3rd dates.

Jan. 12^th, 2024: ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL AUDITION/INTERVIEW DAY

We don’t schedule this audition date for you- that must be done via Illinois High School Theatrefest and your high school instructor- more information may be found at Theatrefest. Additional information should be sent to you directly from the Theatrefest Auditions Coordinators at some point in January.

Jan. 20^th, 2024: VIRTUAL (ONLINE ONLY) AUDITION/INTERVIEW DAY

An all-online option for those unable to travel to an in-person, on campus interview. ALL MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SATURDAY, JAN. 13^th at NOON. Please see Uploading Instructions and Zoom Interview information below.

Jan 27^th, 2024: IN PERSON, ON CAMPUS AUDITION/INTERVIEW DAY

Auditions and Portfolio Reviews in the morning. Interviews in the afternoon.

Feb. 3^rd, 2024: VIRTUAL (ONLINE ONLY) AUDITION/INTERVIEW DAY

An all-online option for those unable to travel to an in-person, on campus interview. ALL MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SATURDAY, JAN. 27^th at NOON. Please see Uploading Instructions and Zoom Interview information below.

Feb. 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 2023: CHICAGO UNIFIEDS

Audition in person with us in Chicago. We will be at the Palmer House Hilton as part of the UNIFIED audition process.

FOR THOSE SELECTING THE VIRTUAL AUDITION DAY ON NOV. 4th, 2023, JAN. 20th, 2024, OR FEB. 3rd, 2024:

ALL APPLICANTS ATTENDING ONLINE

• Be sure to fill out the contact information on the web form located below these instructions
• Applicants will meet one-on-one via Zoom with area-specific faculty to discuss program-specific questions and have resume/portfolio reviews.
• Applicants will also have one-on-one meetings via Zoom with departmental administration to further explore support for their desired artistic and educational goals.

Interviews

On your virtual audition/interview day we will have several opportunities to interact with you via the following schedule:

10 am (central time)—Welcome via Zoom: Welcome for all including applicants, applicants’ family/support, current faculty, and current students

10:30 am (central time)—Interviews via Zoom breakout roomsWhile waiting for area-specific interviews applicants will have a chance to meet and discuss the program with current students.

Students will be moved to individual Zoom interviews with area-specific faculty for audition/portfolio review based on previously submitted materials.

Applicants to the Acting BFA may be asked to work their audition pieces on camera during their one-on-one meeting with Acting faculty. All those auditioning should be prepared to work their pieces in real-time with the auditor.

Upon completion of area-specific meetings, applicants will be moved to individual Zoom meetings with departmental administration to further explore support for each student’s learning goals and answer any questions.

There will be a Zoom breakout room for family/support individuals to answer questions regarding the college application process.

We anticipate that Zoom interviews and breakout rooms should be concluded by 3 pm central time (and perhaps sooner).

Please upload the following materials for the relevant program. Audition/portfolio materials must be submitted prior to attending the listed audition/interview dates.

ACTING APPLICANTS

1. HEADSHOT
2. RESUME
3. AUDITION VIDEO: Prepare and film 2 contrasting monologues of your choice, not exceeding 2 minutes in length each. The selected monologues should be from different plays. Choose characters similar to your own age and experience. Contemporary characters without dialects are best. If you feel comfortable presenting material from Shakespeare or another classical playwright, you are welcome to do so, but one selection should be from a contemporary text. REMINDER- All those auditioning should be prepared to work their pieces in real-time with the auditor during their Zoom meeting.

DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY, & MANAGEMENT APPLICANTS

1. RESUME: Provide a list of your theatre experiences, educational background, and other appropriate interests, such as hobbies, special skills, and employment history. A simple listing with this information and your name and address will be sufficient.
2. PORTFOLIO: Provide examples of the work you’ve done. This may include sketches, drawings, or drafting; photos of costumes, scenery, or sets you’ve built or helped prepare; marketing material; art projects; or photography, video, or audio files. The faculty recognizes that many students have not been able to document their experiences extensively. We encourage students to convey this information during the interview accompanying your portfolio review. Passion, commitment, intelligence, and imagination can be as important as experience.
   IN ADDITION FOR STAGE MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIOS: Provide examples of your stage management experiences as part of your portfolio. This can include a prompt script, production photos, and/or any show-related paperwork that you have created or helped prepare. In addition to stage management documentation, the faculty is interested in examples of any design/tech/crew work you’ve done. Non-theatre examples of organization, communication, and people management are also welcome.

THEATRE STUDIES APPLICANTS (DIRECTING, PLAYWRITING, AND DRAMATURGY)

1. RESUME
2. ESSAY/CREATIVE WRITTEN WORK EXAMPLE: Provide a short essay or paper on theatre or another short, creative written work. This may include a play or draft of a work in process.
3. PORTFOLIO: Provide examples of the work you have done. This may include writing samples, directing prompt books, or materials used in support of your theatre endeavors (marketing, programs, rehearsal schedules, etc.). The faculty recognizes that many students have not been able to document their experiences extensively. We encourage students to convey this information during the interview accompanying your portfolio review. Passion, commitment, intelligence, and imagination can be as important as experience.