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
Click below on your desired program of study to make an appointment to attend an audition, interview and/or portfolio review, if applicable.
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 AUDITIONS: BFA ACTING
Corner Theatre, Stevens Building on the NIU Campus in DeKalb
Friday, January 25, 2027: 10am - 3pm
Monday, February 18, 2027: 11am - 4pm
Friday, February 29, 2027: 10am - 3pm
Friday, March 26, 2027: 10am - 3pm
Friday, April 19, 2027: 10am - 3pm
Don't see an on-campus date that works for you? Please contact Bethany Mangum-Oles at bmangum1@niu.edu to set up a private in-person or virtual audition appointment.
NATIONAL UNIFIED AUDITIONS (NUA): BFA ACTING
To schedule your audition slot for any NUA dates, please contact Bethany Mangum-Oles at bmangum1@niu.edu.
$25 NUA audition fee, payable by cash or check on the day of your audition. These auditions are in-person only, no virtual option available.
New York City: Pearl Studios, Saturday, January 24, 2027
Chicago: Palmer House Hilton, Monday, February 1 - Wednesday, February 3, 2027
Los Angeles/Anaheim: Hilton Anaheim, Saturday, February 6, 2027
Not attending NUA? Please contact Bethany Mangum-Oles at bmangum1@niu.edu to set up a private in-person or virtual audition appointment.
PRIVATE AUDITIONS (in-person or on Zoom): BFA ACTING
If you are unable to make any of the above dates or locations, please contact Bethany Mangum-Oles at bmangum1@niu.edu to set up a private in-person or virtual audition appointment.
NIU BFA ACTING AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Allow 20 minutes of time for your live audition and interview. We do not accept self-tapes.
Prepare one monologue from a published play. Material from TV and/or film scripts are not accepted. 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 a photo of yourself on the day of your audition along with a Theatrical Resume.
Do not hesitate to reach out to Bethany Mangum-Oles at bmangum1@niu.edu for any audition questions you may have.
Wishing you the best audition season - go get 'em!
On-campus auditions will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026
Our 2026 NIU Dance Scholarship Requirements video outlines the requirements for your submission
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.
Stevens Building Room 221
815-753-3020
theatreinfo@niu.edu
Box Office: 815-753-1600; sotdboxoffice@niu.edu