1. School of Theatre and Dance
  2. Applications, Interviews and Auditions

Applications, Interviews and Auditions

In addition to applying to NIU, admission to the School of Theatre and Dance may involve attending an interview or audition, depending on your intended program.

For questions, contact Jazzie Eleazar-Schaefer (jeleazar@niu.edu, 815-753-0956, virtual card)

Tour the NIU School of Theatre and Dance

Interviews and Auditions

Make an appointment to attend an audition, interview and/or portfolio review.

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.

On-Campus BFA Acting Auditions

Don't see an on-campus date that works for you? Contact Bethany Mangum-Oles at bmangum1@niu.edu to set up an audition appointment. 

National Unified Auditions

$20 NUA audition fee, payable by cash or check on the day of your audition

  • New York City: Pearl Studios, Saturday, January 24, 2026
  • Chicago: Palmer House Hilton, Monday, February 2 - Wednesday, February 4, 2026
  • Los Angeles: Westin LAX, Saturday, February 7, 2026

Not attending NUA? Please contact Bethany Mangum-Oles at bmangum1@niu.edu to set up an audition appointment. 

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

If you are unable to make any of the above dates, please contact Bethany Mangum-Oles at bmangum1@niu.edu to set up an audition appointment, either in-person or virtually. 

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

More NIU Scholarships

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.

Contact Us

School of Theatre and Dance

Stevens Building Room 221
815-753-3020
theatreinfo@niu.edu

Sign up for a tour 

Box Office: 815-753-1600; sotdboxoffice@niu.edu