Theatre Scholarships


Interested in majoring in Theatre? Scholarships for incoming Theatre Majors and Minors are awarded through a scholarship audition process. Find out more about dates and audition preparation requirements.

Interested in a Music Scholarship?
Phantom of the Opera performance at Northwestern

Scholarships for incoming Theatre Majors and Minors are awarded through a scholarship audition process. The upcoming in-person audition dates for the Traditional Students arriving on campus in Fall 2024 are November 11, 2023 and February 24, 2024. Applicants have a choice to audition in-person on the previously mentioned dates or submit virtually to be reviewed as soon as possible. Auditions on November 11, 2023, and February 24, 2024, will be held throughout the day, and applicants and their guests will be invited to a complimentary performance of Anastasia or You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, respectively. Applicants can choose between a Performance Audition or a Technical/Design Portfolio/Interview.

Applicants who submit before November 1, 2023 will have their application fee waived. We encourage students to apply and audition as early as possible.

Application: Coming Soon

Performance Audition Preparation

Choose one of the following:

  • Two monologues (one classic, one modern, opposite styles), or
  • Two musical theatre selections (one upbeat, one ballad, 18-33 bars/measures) AND one modern monologue. Accompanist provided.

Technical/Design Portfolio/Interview Preparation

  • Applicants should present a hard copy portfolio during their technical interview (the applicant retains the hard copy portfolio at the conclusion of the interview).
  • Applicants should refine their portfolios so that they can discuss each entry and move through the entire collection within 10 minutes (Faculty discussion of the work will likely extend the interview by an additional 10 minutes).
  • Applicants should include a variety of materials that best highlight their technical and design work over the last four years.
  • The portfolio should showcase the artist’s intention and native talent.
  • Design & Production Portfolios should demonstrate the broadest range of theatrical and artistic expression. Anything that suggests the applicant’s ability to communicate using the tools of the visual artist can be included, such as actual theatre renderings, related painting or graphics, working drawings, ground plans, lighting plots, props, masks, photography, and photographs of sculpture, murals, or other non-transportable works.
  • Stage Management Portfolios should contain prompt books, calling scripts, scope of productions and programs. Applicants should come prepared to discuss other activities in the theatre as well.

Application: Click HERE!

For In-Person Auditions: Please bring an up-to-date headshot and resume to your audition. Also, please set aside the rest of the day following your audition for a tour of our theatre spaces, a meet and greet with theatre majors, faculty, and staff, and a complimentary performance of our current production.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you!