School of Theatre & Dance

Theatre

Dance

Theatre

Dance

Theatre

Theatre Productions

Any Illinois State student enrolled for 6 or more hours may audition for School of Theatre and Dance productions after achieving second semester freshman status (9 or more completed hours).

Auditions for Theatre productions are held at the beginning of each semester.

Additionally, auditions are held throughout the year for various Freestage, improv, and independent productions. Find them on social media!

Students can earn course credit while participating in a variety of activities in theatre and dance productions through Theatre Practicum. This course involves hands-on practical work in a variety of areas including costume crew, set crew, light crew, box office, and ushering. After registering for Practicum, students must sign up for a particular assignment during the first week of classes. Contact the School of Theatre office at 309-438-8783 for more details.

Dance Productions

Illinois State Dance Theatre is the pre-professional concert dance company organized through the School of Theatre and Dance. Their mission is to provide students with professional-level dance performance experience and the opportunity to work in a company atmosphere.

Any Illinois State University student may audition to be part of the Illinois State Dance Theatre, regardless of his or her major. Those auditions take place during the first week of classes during the fall and spring semesters. Students selected for the company will be cast in the Faculty/Guest Artist concert for that particular semester, in addition to other local and regional performance opportunities. Those selected for Dance Theatre are required to enroll in at least one dance technique course in addition to attending the weekly Company Class, held each Friday.  Dance productions are held in the Center for the Performing Arts and Westhoff Theatre.   For questions regarding auditions for Illinois State Dance Theatre contact Sara Semonis.

Audition Information Fall 2021 and Spring 2022

Thank you for your interest in the School of Theatre and Dance. Please review the requirements below for admission to your major.

Due to the recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control, we require guests to wear a face covering that adequately covers both nose and mouth while indoors on campus. Guests should maintain six feet of physical distance from others when possible and practice proper hand hygiene throughout their time on campus by washing hands or using hand sanitizer.  

Students are required to wear masks throughout the entirety of their audition performance.    

If you are feeling ill leading up to your scheduled audition, we kindly ask you to reschedule.    

Visit Coronavirus.IllinoisState.edu to learn more about the University's efforts to keep our community healthy.  

Auditions and Scholarship Interviews

• Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance, and Dance Teacher Education majors are required to audition.
• Production Design and Technology majors are required to attend an interview/portfolio review.
• Theatre Teacher Education, Theatre Studies, and Film and Digital Media majors are not required to audition, but may interview to be eligible for a scholarship.
• For more information, please contact Cristen Monson, academic advisor.

2021-2022 Prospective Student Audition Dates

November 6, 2021 Canceled due to unforeseen circumstances	Theatre and Dance	ISU
January 7, 2022	Illinois High School Theatre Festival (Theatre Only) Not for scholarship consideration	Register for the festival
January 29, 2022	Theatre Only	ISU
February 12, 2022	Theatre and Dance	ISU
February 26, 2022	Theatre Only	ISU

Audition and Enrollment Process

Step One: Apply to Illinois State University

Step Two: Choose an audition/interview date

Step Three: Upload any required materials to your application

Step Four: Receive confirmation email from School of Theatre and Dance

Step Five: Attend audition/interview

Step Six: Receive decision within two weeks

Step Seven: Submit your enrollment deposit and become a Redbird!

Program Requirements

Follow the links below for each program's entry requirements.

Acting Production Design and Technology Dance Dance Teacher Education

Film and Digital Media   Theatre Studies     Theatre Teacher Education

Scholarships

Notification of scholarship awards will take place the first week of March 2022.

Look for on campus visit opportunities as they arise. If you would like to audit a class or meet with faculty, or if you have a question about the enrollment process, please contact Cristen Monson directly to set up an appointment.

Current Student Auditions

Current Illinois State University students are encouraged to audition for upcoming performances produced by the School of Theatre and Dance. Please refer to page 17 of the Production Handbook regarding audition eligibility.