Musical Theatre Admissions

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today !

2026-2027 Audition Dates and Information

Saturday, December 5, 2026 (Illinois State)
Friday, January 8, 2026 at Illinois High School Theatre Festival (Must be registered with your school to attend)
February (Dates TBD), 2027 (Chicago National Unified Auditions)
Saturday, February 27, 2027 (Illinois State)
Upload a recorded audition

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.

Musical Theatre 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.

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

Materials for Musical Theatre Consideration

Required:

1. Two contrasting songs from American Musical Theatre Repertoire, 60-90 seconds each, 1 up-tempo and 1 ballad.
2. A piano accompanist will be provided, please have your music clearly marked in the correct key, or you may provide your own recorded accompaniment or musical track that you will play on a provided Bluetooth speaker. Our preferred method is having piano accompaniment.
3. One 60 second contemporary monologue.

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!

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today !

2026-2027 Audition Dates and Information

Saturday, December 5, 2026 (Illinois State)
Friday, January 8, 2026 at Illinois High School Theatre Festival (Must be registered with your school to attend)
February (Dates TBD), 2027 (Chicago National Unified Auditions)
Saturday, February 27, 2027 (Illinois State)
Upload a recorded audition

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.

Musical Theatre 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.

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

Please bring a current theatrical resume and headshot or recent photo to your audition day. You only need one copy. If you want to also be considered for the Acting major, please prepare an additional one minute monologue. You will attend each audition separately.

Materials for Musical Theatre Consideration

Required:

1. Two contrasting songs from American Musical Theatre Repertoire, 60-90 seconds each, 1 up-tempo and 1 ballad.
2. A piano accompanist will be provided, please have your music clearly marked in the correct key, or you may provide your own recorded accompaniment or musical track that you will play on a provided Bluetooth speaker. Our preferred method is having piano accompaniment.
3. One 60 second contemporary monologue.

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!

Minimum GPA

2.00

Middle 50% GPA

2.52 - 3.43

Required Courses

None. This is a three-year program

Recommended Courses

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

• Acting I (THE 110)
• Acting II (THE 210)
• Intro to Costume (THE 130) or Stagecraft (THE 160)

If your college doesn't offer the recommended courses for this major, you may wish to consider transferring earlier to stay on track to complete your degree in a timely manner. Please reach out to Admissions at (309) 438-2181 or Admissions@IllinoisState.edu for additional questions.

Academic Advising

Middle 50% GPA

2.52 - 3.43

Application Period

Applications are always accepted.

Application Information

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

Major Requirements

Application and audition required.

Academic Advising