BFA Auditions – Interviews – Portfolio Reviews

FALL 2024/SPRING 2025 AUDITION/INTERVIEW DATES (for those wishing to start in Fall of 2025)

BELOW YOU WILL FIND THE NEW DATES FOR THE FALL 2024/SPRING 2025 CYCLE

STUDENTS WISHING TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION STARTING IN THE FALL OF 2025 SHOULD FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOUND IN EACH AREA OF STUDY LISTED BELOW

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION-

THEATREFEST APPLICANTS:  For anyone who is auditioning/interviewing/presenting portfolios at Theatrefest, they will need to register with Theatrefest to secure an audition time- our registration link below, on this U of I website,  just allows us to know to look for you. IT DOES NOT REGISTER YOU FOR THEATREFEST AUDITIONS/PORTFOLIO REVIEWS. YOU MUST DO THAT DIRECTLY WITH THEATREFEST. Follow this link for Theatrefest specific information: https://www.illinoistheatre.org/ihstf

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT DAYS DO FILL UP AND REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE WHEN WE HAVE EXCEEDED MAXIMUM CAPACITY. YOU ARE ADVISED TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR PREFERRED DATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

DATES (LISTED BY AREA OF STUDY)

ACTING APPLICANTS

  ON CAMPUS AUDITIONS WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• Conversations with Departmental Leadership
• Conversations with Acting Faculty
• Conversations with Current Illinois Theatre Students
• Tour of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (https://krannertcenter.com/)
• Interactive Workshops with Faculty
• Monologues (and/or Song) Auditions

The Acting Program at the University of Illinois is committed to providing a dynamic training experience for actors. There are three options for auditioning for a BFA in Acting at Illinois Theatre: Unified Auditions in Chicago, Theatrefest (housed at U of I this year), or through our on-campus auditions. The Unified Auditions in Chicago and through Theatrefest will not include the interactive workshops our ON CAMPUS auditions offer.

Our on-campus audition days offer an opportunity to experience our program and include meetings with faculty, students, and department leaders, as well as interactive workshops with faculty. Our hope is that on-campus audition days will provide you with the opportunity to get to know us better as you make this important decision. We look forward to supporting you in learning about US as much as we want to learn about YOU.

International students and other applicants for whom attending in person auditions marks prohibitive travel from great distances or the need for specific financial considerations should contact Prof. Cindy Kocher at ckocher@illinois.edu

ACTING AUDITION DATES:

Dec. 7th, 2024 **U of I ON CAMPUS (Urbana/Champaign, Illinois)** CHOOSE THIS DATE IF YOU DESIRE EARLY ACTION CONSIDERATION CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Jan. 10th, 2025 (AT ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL, CHOOSE THIS DATE IF YOU DESIRE EARLY ACTION CONSIDERATION, YOU MUST ALSO BE REGISTERED THROUGH THEATREFEST AT https://www.illinoistheatre.org/ihstf) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Jan. 25th, 2025 **U of I ON CAMPUS (Urbana/Champaign, Illinois)** CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Feb. 1st, 2025 **U of I ON CAMPUS (Urbana/Champaign, Illinois)** CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Feb. 3rd-5th, 2025 **Unified Auditions in Chicago, Illinois (Palmer House Hotel)**

Monday, Feb. 3rd CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Tuesday, Feb. 4th CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Wednesday, Feb. 5th  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Acting Applicants should prepare the following:

1. HEADSHOT
2. RESUME
3. AUDITION : Prepare 2 contrasting monologues of your choice, not exceeding 2 minutes in length each. The selected monologues should be from different plays. Choose characters similar to your own age and experience. Contemporary characters without dialects are best. If you feel comfortable presenting material from Shakespeare or another classical playwright, you are welcome to do so, but one selection should be from a contemporary text.
4. Bring movement appropriate clothing (including closed toed shoes)
5. Be prepared to have your monologues coached and explored

DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY, & MANAGEMENT APPLICANTS

  PORTFOLIO REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• Conversations with Departmental Leadership
• Conversations with Area Faculty
• Conversations with Current Illinois Theatre Students
• Portfolio Review and Interview with Area Faculty
• On Campus dates will include a tour of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (https://krannertcenter.com/)

PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND INTERVIEW DATES:

Nov. 16th, 2024 **Virtual** THIS DATE IS NOW FULL. PLEASE SELECT ANOTHER DATE. THE REGISTRATION LINK FOR THIS DATE HAS BEEN CLOSED.

(CHOOSE THIS DATE IF YOU DESIRE EARLY ACTION CONSIDERATION, PORTFOLIO  MUST BE UPLOADED BY NOV. 9th AT NOON CENTRAL TIME, SEE SUBMISSION BOX BELOW) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Dec. 7th, 2024 **U of I ON CAMPUS** (Urbana/Champaign, Illinois) CHOOSE THIS DATE IF YOU DESIRE EARLY ACTION CONSIDERATION CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Jan. 10th, 2025 (AT ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL, CHOOSE THIS DATE IF YOU DESIRE EARLY ACTION CONSIDERATION, YOU MUST ALSO BE REGISTERED THROUGH THEATREFEST AT https://www.illinoistheatre.org/ihstf) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Feb. 1st, 2025 **U of I ON CAMPUS (Urbana/Champaign, Illinois)** CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Feb. 3rd-5th, 2025 **Unified Auditions in Chicago, Illinois (Palmer House Hotel)**

Monday, Feb. 3rd CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Tuesday, Feb. 4th CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Wednesday, Feb. 5th  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Feb. 8th, 2025 **Virtual** (PORTFOLIO MUST BE UPLOADED BY FEB. 1st AT NOON CENTRAL TIME, SEE SUBMISSION BOX BELOW) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Design, Technology, & Management Applicants should prepare the following:

1. RESUME: Provide a list of your theatre experiences, educational background, and other appropriate interests, such as hobbies, special skills, and employment history. A simple listing with this information and your name and address will be sufficient.
2. PORTFOLIO: Provide examples of the work you’ve done. This may include sketches, drawings, or drafting; photos of costumes, scenery, or sets you’ve built or helped prepare; marketing material; art projects; or photography, video, or audio files. The faculty recognizes that many students have not been able to document their experiences extensively. We encourage students to convey this information during the interview accompanying your portfolio review. Passion, commitment, intelligence, and imagination can be as important as experience.
   IN ADDITION FOR STAGE MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIOS: Provide examples of your stage management experiences as part of your portfolio. This can include a prompt script, production photos, and/or any show-related paperwork that you have created or helped prepare. In addition to stage management documentation, the faculty is interested in examples of any design/tech/crew work you’ve done. Non-theatre examples of organization, communication, and people management are also welcome.

Apply THEATRE STUDIES: PLAYWRITING, DIRECTING, DRAMATURGY INFO

For Theatre Studies: Playwriting, Directing, and Dramaturgy Program applicants, an interview is required, at which time you should bring a writing portfolio that includes:

(1) a resume of your theatre experience

(2) a statement of purpose on what you would like to do in Theatre Studies and why you are interested in our program.

(3) a short creative piece (stage script, film script, poetry, director’s notebook, review, etc.)

(4) a research paper or essay. May be on any topic.

The interview will focus on your interest to exploring a variety of subjects within theatre. If you have a specific area of interest, be prepared to discuss your experience and potential in that area. Students interviewing for Theatre Studies are expected to have strong academic records and a desire to study and participate in the total theatre experience.

PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND INTERVIEW DATES:

Nov. 16th, 2024 **Virtual** (CHOOSE THIS DATE IF YOU DESIRE EARLY ACTION CONSIDERATION, PORTFOLIO MUST BE UPLOADED BY NOV. 9th AT NOON CENTRAL TIME, SEE SUBMISSION BOX BELOW) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Dec. 7th, 2024 **U of I ON CAMPUS** (Urbana/Champaign, Illinois) CHOOSE THIS DATE IF YOU DESIRE EARLY ACTION CONSIDERATION CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Jan. 10th, 2025 (AT ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL, CHOOSE THIS DATE IF YOU DESIRE EARLY ACTION CONSIDERATION, YOU MUST ALSO BE REGISTERED THROUGH THEATREFEST AT https://www.illinoistheatre.org/ihstf) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Feb. 1st, 2025 **U of I ON CAMPUS (Urbana/Champaign, Illinois)** CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Feb. 3rd-5th, 2025 **Unified Auditions in Chicago, Illinois (Palmer House Hotel)**

Monday, Feb. 3rd CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Tuesday, Feb. 4th CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Wednesday, Feb. 5th  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Feb. 8th, 2025 **Virtual** (PORTFOLIO MUST BE UPLOADED BY FEB. 1st AT NOON CENTRAL TIME, SEE SUBMISSION BOX BELOW) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Theatre Studies Applicants should prepare the following:

1. RESUME
2. ESSAY/CREATIVE WRITTEN WORK EXAMPLE: Provide a short essay or paper on theatre or another short, creative written work. This may include a play or draft of a work in process.
3. PORTFOLIO: Provide examples of the work you have done. This may include writing samples, directing prompt books, or materials used in support of your theatre endeavors (marketing, programs, rehearsal schedules, etc.). The faculty recognizes that many students have not been able to document their experiences extensively. We encourage students to convey this information during the interview accompanying your portfolio review. Passion, commitment, intelligence, and imagination can be as important as experience.