Production Design and Technology 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!

2024-2025 Audition Dates and Information

Saturday December 7, 2024 (Illinois State)
Saturday 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, meet with faculty, or if you have a question about the enrollment process, email Cristen Monson.

Program Requirements

A portfolio review is required for acceptance into the Production Design and Technology major within the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film.

The School of Theatre, Dance, and Film applies the same academic standards as those required for admission to Illinois State University. There is no separate SAT/ACT or GPA requirement for admission to the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film.

Students who seek entrance into the Production Design and Technology sequence must present a portfolio of their work for review by members of the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film faculty. Portfolio materials vary greatly depending upon the applicant’s experience and intended area of interest. Students are encouraged to assemble evidence of their work on prior productions or related projects. Items that may be included are sketch books, paintings, evidence of organization and management, photographs, production programs, drafting, prompt books, and more. Please consider that the faculty is assessing your potential for success in the field as well as your passion for the art. We invite you to share your experience thus far in the admission interview using your portfolio as a guide in that journey. Your interview will also count as your interview for scholarship consideration.

Quality is more important than quantity. Be prepared to discuss one or two items from your portfolio with the Production Design and Technology faculty for five minutes at your interview. The remainder of the interview will be reserved for discussion and questions.

Requirements for Production Design & Technology Program Consideration

• Recent production resume
• Recent photo or headshot

Preparing Your Portfolio Review

When you come for your portfolio review and interview, please bring:

• a resume detailing your theatre production experience
• a recent photo of yourself
• a "portfolio" of your work, including
  • production photos
  • drawings
  • drafting
  • sketches
  • organizational forms
  • any other audio/visual materials that illustrate your skills.

Quality is more important than quantity. Be prepared to discuss your portfolio with the Production Design and Technology faculty at your interview.

You will also be required to interview with faculty to discuss your portfolio and experience.

Deadlines and Review Dates

Students are accepted into the Production Design and Technology 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 portfolio review via email. 

School of Theatre, Dance, and Film scholarship awards are announced after March 1.

Audition Information

On audition day, you will interview with Design and Production faculty.

There will be a brief meeting of all those auditioning/interviewing where faculty and administration will introduce themselves and answer questions. While you wait for your audition/interview time, you will be sent to a waiting room where current students will talk about the program and answer questions. Individual interviews take place in the order application is received.

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!

2024-2025 Audition Dates and Information

Saturday December 7, 2024 (Illinois State)
Saturday 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, meet with faculty, or if you have a question about the enrollment process, email Cristen Monson.

Program Requirements

A portfolio review is required for acceptance into the Production Design and Technology major within the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film.

The School of Theatre, Dance, and Film applies the same academic standards as those required for admission to Illinois State University. There is no separate SAT/ACT or GPA requirement for admission to the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film.

Students who seek entrance into the Production Design and Technology sequence must present a portfolio of their work for review by members of the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film faculty. Portfolio materials vary greatly depending upon the applicant’s experience and intended area of interest. Students are encouraged to assemble evidence of their work on prior productions or related projects. Items that may be included are sketch books, paintings, evidence of organization and management, photographs, production programs, drafting, prompt books, and more. Please consider that the faculty is assessing your potential for success in the field as well as your passion for the art. We invite you to share your experience thus far in the admission interview using your portfolio as a guide in that journey. Your interview will also count as your interview for scholarship consideration.

Quality is more important than quantity. Be prepared to discuss one or two items from your portfolio with the Production Design and Technology faculty for five minutes at your interview. The remainder of the interview will be reserved for discussion and questions.

Requirements for Production Design & Technology Program Consideration

• Recent production resume
• Recent photo or headshot

Preparing Your Portfolio Review

When you come for your portfolio review and interview, please bring:

• a resume detailing your theatre production experience
• a recent photo of yourself
• a "portfolio" of your work, including
  • production photos
  • drawings
  • drafting
  • sketches
  • organizational forms
  • any other audio/visual materials that illustrate your skills.

Quality is more important than quantity. Be prepared to discuss your portfolio with the Production Design and Technology faculty at your interview.

You will also be required to interview with faculty to discuss your portfolio and experience.

Deadlines and Review Dates

Students are accepted into the Production Design and Technology 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 portfolio review via email. 

School of Theatre, Dance, and Film scholarship awards are announced after March 1.

Audition Information

On audition day, you will interview with Design and Production faculty.

There will be a brief meeting of all those auditioning/interviewing where faculty and administration will introduce themselves and answer questions. While you wait for your audition/interview time, you will be sent to a waiting room where current students will talk about the program and answer questions. Individual interviews take place in the order application is received.

Minimum GPA

2.00

Middle 50% GPA

2.53 - 3.57

Required Courses

None

Recommended Courses

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

• Acting I (THE 110)
• Fundamentals of Theatre I & II (THE 103 & THE 104)
• Introduction to Costume (THE 130)
• Stagecraft (THE 160)

Additional Information

Sequence requires portfolio review and interview.

Academic Advising

Middle 50% GPA

2.53 - 3.57

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 a Portfolio Review/Interview.

Academic Advising