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Entrance Auditions & Interviews
In order to be admitted into the BFA Acting, BFA Musical Theatre, and BFA Theatre Technology and Design, and BA/BS Dance programs at Northern Michigan University, students must complete an entrance audition or interview. The Department of Theatre and Dance awards program admittance and scholarships based on auditions/interviews.
Students applying to the BA/BS Theatre and Entertainment Arts program must complete an interview for scholarship consideration but do not have to complete an audition/interview for entrance into the program.
The NMU Department of Theatre and Dance holds live auditions and interviews each year and also accepts video submissions and virtual interview requests.
REGISTER HERE FOR YOUR AUDITION/INTERVIEW*:
https://nmu.edu/admissions/performingartsevent
*Once you have registered for your audition date, the NMU Theatre and Dance Office will respond to you with your scheduled audition time. Incoming students are invited and encouraged to audition before being accepted to NMU.
PLEASE NOTE: While prior theatre/dance training/experience is preferred, it is certainly not required to audition or interview for our department. We understand that not all students have had access to these opportunities and will consider students of all backgrounds and experience levels who demonstrate facility and potential for our programs and scholarships.
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2024-2025 Live Audition and Interview Dates
Early Acceptance (all programs): NMU
Saturday, October 28
Marquette, MI
By appointment only: Appointments can be scheduled by emailing Carolyn Robertson at carobert@nmu.edu.
Location #1: Eisenhower Dance Detroit: See and Be Seen (Dance only)
Sunday, October 8
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Location #2: Texas Thespian Festival (All Programs)
November 11-13, 2023
San Antonio, TX
November 15-18, 2023
Grapevine, TX
Location #3: Oakland Dance Festival (Dance only)
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Farmington Hills, MI
Location #4: Michigan Thespian Festival (All Programs)
December 8 and 9, 2023
Lansing, MI
Location #5: Northern Michigan University (All Programs- Last Scholarship Audition)
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Marquette, MI
10:00-10:30AM EST: Welcome, introductions, and brief tour of NMU Theatre and Dance facilities
10:30AM-10:45AM EST: Dancer/Actor self-warm-up, Tech/Design interview prep
10:45AM EST: Auditions and Interviews begin
- BFA Tech and Design: TFA 222
- BFA Musical Theatre and BFA Acting: McClintock 117
- BA/BS Dance: Panowski Dance Studio, McClintock 125Q (lower hallway)
- BA/BS Theatre and Entertainment Arts: TBA (an interview is only required for this program if you would like to be considered for scholarships)
Location #6: Northern Michigan University Wildcat Weekend (All Programs- Last Call Audition)
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Marquette, MI
10:00-10:30AM EST: Welcome, introductions, and brief tour of NMU Theatre and Dance facilities
10:30AM-10:45AM EST: Dancer/Actor self-warm-up, Tech/Design interview prep
10:45AM EST: Auditions and Interviews begin
- BFA Tech and Design: TFA 222
- BFA Musical Theatre and BFA Acting: McClintock 117
- BA/BS Dance: Panowski Dance Studio, McClintock 125Q (lower hallway)
- BA/BS Theatre and Entertainment Arts: TBA (an interview is only required for this program if you would like to be considered for scholarships)
Live Audition and Interview Requirements
The Department of Theatre and Dance at Northern Michigan University offers rolling admission for all programs. For maximum scholarship consideration, students are encouraged to audition/interview as early as possible. Please read the below carefully and email our Executive Administrative Assistant, Carolyn Robertson, at carobert@nmu.edu with any questions.
BFA Acting Auditions
Please prepare the following:
1. Slate - state your full name and the names of the pieces you will be performing
2. One short contemporary monologue
3. One short classical monologue
Your total audition should not exceed 2 minutes. Your audition time starts when you begin your first piece. A short interview with our faculty may also be required after your audition. Please be prepared to discuss your interest in the BFA Acting program at NMU as well as any past experience.
Required additional materials:
- Resume/description of experience (please include previous training and performance experience)
- Headshot
Please stay tuned for a link to upload your additional materials. You do not need to bring a physical resume and headshot to your audition.
BFA Musical Theatre Auditions
Please prepare the following:
1. Slate - state your full name and the names of the pieces you will be performing
2. One short monologue
3. One 16-32 bar cutting of a song in the musical theatre style
Your total audition should not exceed 2 minutes. Your audition time starts when you begin your first piece. A speaker and aux cord will be available; students should bring their phone or computer with an instrumental track. A short interview with our faculty may also be required after your audition. Please be prepared to discuss your interest in the BFA Musical Theatre program at NMU as well as any past experience.
Required additional materials:
- Resume/description of experience (please include previous training and performance experience)
- Headshot
Please stay tuned for a link to upload your additional materials. You do not need to bring a physical resume and headshot to your audition.
BFA Theatre Technology and Design Interviews
Interviews will be held with the NMU Theatre and Dance tech and design faculty. Each interview will last between ten to fifteen minutes. Please be prepared to talk about your interest in the BFA Theatre Technology and Design program at NMU, as well as your specific technical interests and any past technical and/or design experience.
Required additional materials:
- Resume/description of experience (please include previous training and production experience)
- Portfolio/pictures of past work
Please stay tuned for a link to upload your additional materials. You do not need to bring a physical resume and portfolio to your audition.
BA/BS Dance Auditions
Please prepare the following:
1. Slate - state your full name, the name of the piece you will be performing, and the choreographer of the piece.
2. One solo dance piece in the style of your choice. The piece must be at least 90 seconds and no more than 3 minutes in length. Dancers should be dressed professionally and appropriately for the style they will be performing.
A short interview with our faculty may be required after your movement audition. Please be prepared to talk about your interest in the BA/BS Dance program at NMU as well as any past dance experience.
Required additional materials:
- Resume/description of experience (please include previous training, teaching/assisting, choreography, and performance experience)
- Headshot
Please stay tuned for a link to upload your additional materials. You do not need to bring a physical resume and headshot to your audition.
BA/BS Theatre and Entertainment Arts Interviews
Interviews will be held with the NMU Theatre and Dance faculty. Each interview will last between ten to fifteen minutes. Please be prepared to talk about your interest in the BA/BS Theatre and Entertainment Arts program at NMU, as well as your specific interests and any past experience.
Video Auditions and Virtual Interviews
The Department of Theatre and Dance at Northern Michigan University offers rolling admission for all programs. For maximum scholarship consideration, students are encouraged to audition/interview as early as possible. Please read the below carefully and email our Executive Administrative Assistant, Carolyn Robertson, at carobert@nmu.edu with any questions.
PLEASE NOTE: It is preferred that you complete your audition/interview in person during one of our audition/interview weekends, listed at the top of the page.
BFA Acting Video Auditions
Please prepare the following:
1. Slate - state your full name and the names of the pieces you will be performing
2. One short contemporary monologue
3. One short classical monologue
Your total audition should not exceed 2 minutes. Your audition time starts when you begin your first piece. Please film yourself from the waist up in a quiet location free from distraction or background noise. If possible, please film yourself in front of a plain wall or background. Please film yourself in a well-lit location. Please stay tuned for a link to submit your registration, audition video, and additional materials.
Required additional materials:
- Resume/description of experience (please include previous training and performance experience)
- Headshot
Additional materials must be uploaded through your registration form.
BFA Musical Theatre Video Auditions
Please prepare the following:
1. Slate - state your full name and the names of the pieces you will be performing
2. One short monologue
3. One 16-32 bar cutting of a song in the musical theatre style
Your total audition should not exceed 2 minutes. Your audition time starts when you begin your first piece. Please film yourself from the waist up in a quiet location free from distraction or background noise. If possible, please film yourself in front of a plain wall or background. Please film yourself in a well-lit location. Please stay tuned for a link to submit your registration, audition video, and additional materials.
Required additional materials:
- Resume/description of experience (please include previous training and performance experience)
- Headshot
Additional materials must be uploaded through your registration form.
BFA Theatre Technology and Design Virtual Interviews
Interviews will be held via Zoom with the tech and design faculty of the NMU Theatre and Dance Department. Each interview will last between ten to fifteen minutes. Please be prepared to talk about your interest in the BFA Theatre Technology and Design program at NMU, as well as your specific technical interests and any past technical and/or design experience. Please stay tuned for a link to submit your registration, audition video, and additional materials.
Required additional materials:
- Resume/description of experience (please include previous training and production experience)
- Portfolio/pictures of past work
Additional materials must be uploaded through your registration form.
BA/BS Dance Video Auditions
Please prepare the following:
1. Slate - state your full name, the name of the piece you will be performing, and the choreographer of the piece
2. One solo dance piece in the style of your choice. The piece must be at least 90 seconds and no more than 3 minutes in length.
Please film yourself in a well-lit, quiet location free from distraction or background noise. A short interview with our faculty may be required after your movement audition. Please be prepared to talk about your interest in the BA/BS Dance program at NMU as well as any past dance experience. Interviews will be held via Zoom. Please stay tuned for a link to submit your registration, audition video, and additional materials.
Questions about the dance program can be directed to Jill Grundstrom at jgrundst@nmu.edu.
Required additional materials:
- Resume/description of experience (please include previous training, teaching/assisting, choreography, and performance experience)
- Headshot
Additional materials must be uploaded through your registration form.
Dance Placement
If you are not a dance major and wish to enroll in dance classes beyond the beginning level, you will need to submit placement materials to Dance Program Director, Jill Grundstrom.
Materials include:
- One solo dance piece in the style of your choice. The piece must be at least 90 seconds and no more than 3 minutes in length. You should be the only one performing.
- Resume/description of experience (please include previous training, teaching/assisting, choreography, and performance experience)
BA/BS Theatre and Entertainment Arts Virtual Interviews
Interviews will be held via Zoom with the NMU Theatre and Dance faculty. Each interview will last between ten to fifteen minutes. Please be prepared to talk about your interest in the BA/BS Theatre and Entertainment Arts program at NMU, as well as your specific interests and any past experience.