How to Apply to the University
You must apply to and be accepted by Ball State University to be considered for admission into the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Apply to Ball State
How to Schedule an Audition or Interview
An audition is required for admission into our bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree programs. An interview is not required for admission into our bachelor of arts/bachelor of science (BA/BS) degree programs, but we strongly encourage you to schedule an interview for scholarship consideration.
Policies and procedures specific to audition and interview days and locations will be provided directly to the applicants in their confirmation email that will come from auditions@bsu.edu 2 weeks prior to the student's scheduled audition/interview.
Fall 2027 Entry Term Applications will be available on August 3, 2026.
You will need to schedule an audition for admission into the program. When you fill out your online application to Ball State, Admissions will notify you via email to access your digital Cardinal Landing portal.
In your portal, you MUST complete the supplemental application ‘Department of Theatre & Dance Audition/Interview Registration’ located on your portal’s Checklist. Select your preferred audition date and location and submit. We will contact you directly.
In order for us to schedule your audition, you MUST complete this step.
Dates
On-Campus:
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Saturday, February 6, 2027
- Saturday, February 20, 2027
Virtual LIVE:
- Saturday, February 13, 2027
Off-Campus:
National Unified Auditions:
- New York Unifieds: Saturday-Sunday, January 23-24, 2027
- Chicago Unifieds: Monday-Wednesday, February 1-3, 2027
- Los Angeles Unifieds: Saturday, February 6, 2027
Moonifieds:
- Dallas, TX: Friday-Saturday, Nov. 20-21, 2026
Digital Video Submissions:
- There are specific requirements for digital auditions. Email auditions@bsu.edu for instructions.
- Digital video submissions open on December 1, 2026 and close at 11:59 PM EST on February 1, 2027.
- We cannot accept new requests after January 29, 2027.
Fall 2027 Entry Term Applications will be available on August 3, 2026.
You will need to schedule an audition for admission into the program. When you fill out your online application to Ball State, Admissions will notify you via email to access your digital Cardinal Landing portal.
In your portal, you MUST complete the supplemental application ‘Department of Theatre & Dance Audition/Interview Registration’ located on your portal’s Checklist. Select your preferred audition date and location and submit. We will contact you directly.
In order for us to schedule your audition, you MUST complete this step.
Dates
On-Campus:
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Saturday, February 6, 2027
- Saturday, February 20, 2027
Off-Campus:
National Unified Auditions:
- New York Unifieds: Saturday-Sunday, January 23-24, 2027
- Chicago Unifieds: Monday-Thursday, February 1-4, 2027
- Los Angeles Unifieds: Saturday, February 6, 2027
Moonifieds:
- Dallas, TX: Friday-Saturday, Nov. 20-21, 2026
Digital Video Submissions:
- There are specific requirements for digital auditions. Email auditions@bsu.edu for instructions.
- Digital video submissions open on November 1, 2026 and close at 11:59 PM EST on January 11, 2027.
- We cannot accept new requests after January 8, 2027.
Fall 2027 Entry Term Applications will be available on August 3, 2026.
You will need to schedule an audition for admission into the program or for a technique placement audition (BA/BS). When you fill out your online application to Ball State, Admissions will notify you via email to access your digital Cardinal Landing portal.
In your portal, you MUST complete the supplemental application ‘Department of Theatre & Dance Audition/Interview Registration’ located on your portal’s Checklist. Select your preferred audition date and location and submit. We will contact you directly.
In order for us to schedule your audition, you MUST complete this step.
Dates
On-Campus:
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Saturday, February 6, 2027
- Friday, February 19, 2027
Off-Campus:
National Unified Auditions:
- Chicago Unifieds: Tuesday, February 2, 2027
CNADM – Chicago National Association of Dance Masters:
- Chicago, IL: Friday, November 6, 2026
Digital Dance Auditions:
- Submission instructions are on program audition webpages (BFA, BA/BS).
Fall 2027 Entry Term Applications will be available on August 3, 2026.
You will need to schedule an interview for admission into the program. When you fill out your online application to Ball State, Admissions will notify you via email to access your digital Cardinal Landing portal.
In your portal, you MUST complete the supplemental application ‘Department of Theatre & Dance Audition/Interview Registration’ located on your portal’s Checklist. Select your preferred interview date and location and submit. We will contact you directly.
In order for us to schedule your interview, you MUST complete this step.
Dates
On-Campus:
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Saturday, February 6, 2027
Virtual LIVE:
- Saturday, February 13, 2027
Off-Campus:
Pittsburgh Unifieds - Virtual Live Tech & Design Portfolio Reviews:
- VIRTUAL LIVE: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Counts as final program decision interviews for BFA Design & Technology. (You MUST register through Pittsburgh Unifieds coordinators as well as your BSU interview registration application).
Fall 2027 Entry Term Applications will be available on August 3, 2026.
Our BA/BS theatre programs have an open admissions policy, so scheduling an interview for admission into the program is not required for admittance. However, it is strongly recommended that you interview with our faculty for departmental scholarship consideration.
In your portal, you may complete the supplemental application ‘Department of Theatre & Dance Audition/Interview Registration’ located on your portal’s Checklist. Select your preferred interview date and location and submit. We will contact you directly.
In order for us to schedule your interview, you MUST complete this step.
Dates
On-Campus:
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Saturday, February 6, 2027
Virtual LIVE:
- Saturday, February 13, 2027
Guidelines and Procedures
Notification
We will make every effort to contact you by phone if you are admitted to the BFA programs (acting, dance, musical theatre, or design and technology) by April 15. We will also do our best to contact you with information regarding scholarships at that time. If you are not accepted to the acting, musical theatre, or dance options, you will be contacted via e-mail. We will make every effort to contact you via email if you are admitted to one of the BA/BS in theatre options or the teaching major in theatre by April 15. We will also do our best to contact you with information regarding scholarships by that time.
Even If You Don’t Get In…
Admission to Ball State does not guarantee admission into the theatre and dance programs. If you are accepted to Ball State but not admitted into the acting or musical theatre options, you may declare a theatre major in the theatre creation option. The theatre creation option offers an exciting broad-based theatre education that includes courses in acting, directing, theatre history, design, dramaturgy, and theatre management, among many others. It allows you the flexibility to take a wide range of electives as well as pursue a second major. Should you choose to do so, you will have the option of re-auditioning for acting or musical theatre after completing at least one semester on campus.