Applications, Interviews and Auditions

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies program does not require an audition or portfolio review for admission. The program does offer scholarships for talented students. In-person interviews for the program will be held Monday, February 16, 2026. 

Please contact Gibson Cima, Ph.D. (gcima@niu.edu) for more information.

Private BFA Acting Auditions (in-person or on Zoom)

Thank you to all who have auditioned this season! We will continue to hold BFA Acting auditions throughout the summer season.

What You Should Prepare

• Please allow 20 minutes of time for this audition and interview. 
• Please prepare one monologue from a published play.  Consider choosing a piece you  feel comfortable in and that represents you and your personality best. This monologue should not exceed two minutes total and should be fully memorized.
• Please also provide us with an 8x10 photo of yourself on the day of your audition. (emailed or hard copy)
• If you have a Theatrical Resume, we'd love to have one of those, too.

Do not hesitate to reach out to Bethany Mangum-Oles at bmangum1@niu.edu for any audition questions you may have!

On-campus auditions will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026

Audition Schedule

• 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. - Registration in Stevens Building lobby
• 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Welcome and orientation in O'Connell Theatre
• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Dance Scholarship Audition in Gabel Hall 113
• 2:20 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Tour of School of Theatre and Dance facilities

Register For Your Audition

Our 2026 NIU Dance Scholarship Requirements video outlines the requirements for your submission

• Fill out and submit your Scholarship Application
• If you haven't done so, be sure to Apply to NIU

More NIU Scholarships

• The Huskie Pledge
• NIU Financial Aid

Sign up for an in-person interview, Monday, February 16. 

Please review the available slots for an interview time with BFA Design and Techology faculty. 

Please bring examples of your work to the interview. These can be photographs, sketches, drawings, or actual items that you have created or contributed to a project thus far in your journey. These items do not need to be limited to theatre, as we are interested in your overall creativity, process, and originality. While we definitely want to see your theatre work, we've also seen leather work, jewelry, ceramics, and other means by which people have expressed their creativity.

For information on the B.F.A. in Design and Technology program, contact Jazzie Eleazar-Schaefer at jeleazar@niu.edu. 

Check back soon for more information about auditions for the M.F.A. in Acting program.

Check back soon for more information about interviews for the M.F.A. in Design and Technology program.