Theatre - Acting Admissions

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. You will select your audition time within the application for admission. Start your application today!

2024-2025 Audition Dates

Saturday, December 7, 2024  (Illinois State) 
Friday, February 1, 2025  (Illinois State)
Saturday, February 22, 2025  (Illinois State)
Saturday, April 5, 2025  (Illinois State) 

Audition and Enrollment Process

1. Apply to Illinois State University
2. Choose an audition/interview date
3. Receive a confirmation email from School of Theatre, Dance, and Film
4. Attend audition/interview
5. Receive a decision within two weeks
6. Submit your enrollment deposit and become a Redbird

Scholarship notification will take place the first week of March.

If you would like to audit a class or meet with faculty, or if you have a question about the enrollment process, email Cristen Monson.

Acting Audition

There will be a brief meeting of all those auditioning. Faculty and administration will introduce themselves and answer questions.

You will go to a waiting room where current students will talk about the program and answer questions while individual auditions take place. Auditions will be in the order the application is received.

During your audition, you'll perform your pieces and be given feedback.

Materials for Acting Consideration

Required: Two contrasting monologues 60 seconds each

Audition Tips

Choice of Material

• Choose something you like.
• Choose age-appropriate material.
• Avoid self-written monologues.
• Make sure the character is in conflict!
• Cut material to fit easily into the two-minute time limit (including transitions between monologues).
• Examples of contrasting monologues are: dramatic and comic, contemporary and classic, sophisticated and unsophisticated, urban/rural, manic/depressed, etc.
• A classical piece is not required.
• Know the character you are playing. For example Laura in The Glass Menagerie is not extroverted; Oscar in The Odd Couple is a slob.
• Choose material in your vocal range and that allows you to connect personally to the character.

Avoid

• Yelling
• Screaming
• Using dialects
• Phone call monologues
• Climax of the play
• Sexually explicit or extremely offensive material
• For musical theatre auditions, avoid overly done material or pieces associated with particular artists

Appearance

• Dress comfortably, but strive to make a good impression.
• Keep hair away from your face.
• Wear sensible shoes. No flip flops or extremely high heels!
• Avoid jewelry that is distracting, such as clanging earrings or bracelets.

Performing Your Monologues

• Remember that your audition begins with your entrance.
• Use the introduction to let us get to know you—speak clearly and take command of the room!
• Place your imaginary scene partner directly downstage from you, over our heads.
• Don't speak to a chair—it will cause you to focus on the floor.
• Don't rush the audition transitions. Allow yourself time to transition—after the introduction, between the pieces, and before you say "Thank you."
• Concentrate on pursuing what you want from your imaginary scene partner.             
• Finally, do not try to make an impression or give us what you think we want. Be yourself!

Deadlines and Review Dates

Students are accepted into the Acting major within the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film on a rolling basis, contingent on admission by Illinois State University. Normally students are notified within two weeks whether or not they have passed their audition via email.

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. You will select your audition time within the application for admission. Start your application today!

2024-2025 Audition Dates

Saturday, December 7, 2024  (Illinois State) 
Friday, February 1, 2025  (Illinois State)
Saturday, February 22, 2025  (Illinois State)
Saturday, April 5, 2025  (Illinois State) 

Audition and Enrollment Process

1. Apply to Illinois State University
2. Choose an audition/interview date
3. Receive a confirmation email from School of Theatre, Dance, and Film
4. Attend audition/interview
5. Receive a decision within two weeks
6. Submit your enrollment deposit and become a Redbird

Scholarship notification will take place the first week of March.

If you would like to audit a class or meet with faculty, or if you have a question about the enrollment process, email Cristen Monson.

Acting Audition

There will be a brief meeting of all those auditioning. Faculty and administration will introduce themselves and answer questions.

You will go to a waiting room where current students will talk about the program and answer questions while individual auditions take place. Auditions will be in the order the application is received.

During your audition, you'll perform your pieces and be given feedback.

Materials for Acting Consideration

Required: Two contrasting monologues 60 seconds each

Audition Tips

Choice of Material

• Choose something you like.
• Choose age-appropriate material.
• Avoid self-written monologues.
• Make sure the character is in conflict!
• Cut material to fit easily into the two-minute time limit (including transitions between monologues).
• Examples of contrasting monologues are: dramatic and comic, contemporary and classic, sophisticated and unsophisticated, urban/rural, manic/depressed, etc.
• A classical piece is not required.
• Know the character you are playing. For example Laura in The Glass Menagerie is not extroverted; Oscar in The Odd Couple is a slob.
• Choose material in your vocal range and that allows you to connect personally to the character.

Avoid

• Yelling
• Screaming
• Using dialects
• Phone call monologues
• Climax of the play
• Sexually explicit or extremely offensive material
• For musical theatre auditions, avoid overly done material or pieces associated with particular artists

Appearance

• Dress comfortably, but strive to make a good impression.
• Keep hair away from your face.
• Wear sensible shoes. No flip flops or extremely high heels!
• Avoid jewelry that is distracting, such as clanging earrings or bracelets.

Performing Your Monologues

• Remember that your audition begins with your entrance.
• Use the introduction to let us get to know you—speak clearly and take command of the room!
• Place your imaginary scene partner directly downstage from you, over our heads.
• Don't speak to a chair—it will cause you to focus on the floor.
• Don't rush the audition transitions. Allow yourself time to transition—after the introduction, between the pieces, and before you say "Thank you."
• Concentrate on pursuing what you want from your imaginary scene partner.             
• Finally, do not try to make an impression or give us what you think we want. Be yourself!

Deadlines and Review Dates

Students are accepted into the Acting major within the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film on a rolling basis, contingent on admission by Illinois State University. Normally students are notified within two weeks whether or not they have passed their audition via email.

Minimum GPA

2.00

Middle 50% GPA

2.82 - 3.64

Required Courses

None

Recommended Courses

To find the course equivalencies at an Illinois community college, please review our Course Articulation Guides.

• Acting I & II (THE 110 & THE 113)
• Fundamentals of Theatre I & II (THE 103 & THE 104)
• Introduction to Costume (THE 130)
• Stage Make-Up (THE 237)

Additional Information

Sequence requires an audition.

Academic Advising

Middle 50% GPA

2.82 - 3.64

Application Period

Applications are always accepted.

Application Information

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Major Requirements

Sequence requires an audition.

Academic Advising