Admissions
Northwestern MFA in Acting: Audition and Application Process
All applicants seeking consideration for Northwestern’s MFA in Acting program must complete a live acting audition through the University Resident Theatre Association (URTA). Northwestern conducts its initial MFA Acting screenings through URTA auditions, both in person and virtually.
URTA events may reach capacity and close before the published registration deadline. Applicants are responsible for completing URTA registration early enough to secure an available audition opportunity. Applicants relying on the Live-Virtual Acting Audition should be especially mindful of registration availability, as URTA does not offer walk-in or day-of registration for live-virtual auditions.
Important Information: Do not submit a Northwestern application unless you have received an invitation and instructions to do so. Submitting a Northwestern application does not fulfill the MFA Acting program’s live-audition requirement, does not register you for URTA, does not reserve a place at a URTA audition, and does not guarantee availability at a URTA audition. Participation in a URTA audition does not guarantee a callback, further recruitment, or admission to Northwestern’s MFA Acting program.
Please read below carefully for our three-step application process.
Three-Step Application Process
Step 1: Register for URTAs
Visit (https://urta.com) for current registration information, requirements, availability, deadlines, and any subsequent schedule changes. Follow the website’s instructions to register for one of the Acting Audition dates. URTA Acting registration deadline is December 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. URTA advises that individual events may reach capacity and close before the published deadline. Register early and confirm availability to ensure that you remain under consideration for Northwestern’s program.
Step 2: Complete the Audition
Northwestern’s MFA in Acting Program will attend URTA audition events in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Fullerton, and the Live-Virtual Audition. You must audition at one of these events to be considered for admission to our program. Applicants who advance through the URTA audition round will be contacted by Northwestern faculty regarding a callback/interview during or after the event.
Step 3: Final Callback and Submit the Northwestern Application
Following the URTA auditions, applicants who advance in our selection process will be contacted by the Theatre Department and invited to participate in a final callback/ interview. At this time, these selected candidates will be given instructions about how and when to submit a formal application to the MFA in Acting program through Northwestern’s Graduate School portal. Participation in a callback and/or interview is by invitation only and is not guaranteed. Our program follows URTA and Northwestern Graduate School policies regarding admissions notification timelines.
2027 URTA Acting Auditions
Applicants should consult (https://urta.com) for the most current registration information, requirements, availability, and schedule changes.
Atlanta, Georgia | January 16, 2027 | Hybrid Auditions | URTA Auditions and Guest Auditions are combined. Candidates audition in person. A livestream component is available for participating Guest programs and member programs unable to attend in person.
Chicago, Illinois | January 24–27, 2027 | In-Person Auditions | URTA Auditions and Guest Auditions.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | January 30–February 1, 2027 | In-Person Auditions | URTA Auditions and Guest Auditions.
Live-Virtual | February 3, 2027 | Live-Virtual Auditions | URTA Auditions and Guest Auditions are combined. Candidates and recruiters participate remotely in a live online audition. This is the required live-audition pathway for applicants who are unable to travel. There are no walk-in or day-of registrations.
Fullerton, California | February 6–7, 2027 | Hybrid Auditions | URTA Auditions and Guest Auditions are combined. Candidates audition in person. A livestream component is available for participating Guest programs and member programs unable to attend in person.
Important Notice for International Applicants and Applicants Unable to Attend In-Person Auditions: Applicants who cannot travel should register early for URTA’s Live-Virtual Acting Audition. This is the live-audition pathway available to applicants unable to attend an in-person event. URTA does not offer walk-in or day-of registration for the Live-Virtual Audition.
Baseline Admissions Criteria
Educational background
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree.
Professional experience
Applicants must have at least two years of post-college professional acting experience with three or more years of experience preferred. Other experience may be considered if it clearly demonstrates a serious commitment to pursuing an acting career, including internships, acting classes, intensive training, or comparable post-collegiate experience.
US Degree Equivalency (International only)
To help you determine if your degree is the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, please reference this list on the TGS Website. When determining if your degree is the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, reference the information under the country where your degree was earned. If your country where the degree was earned is not listed, TGS strongly recommends using a credential evaluation service to confirm degree equivalency. The Graduate School strongly recommends (ECE) or (WES).
English Proficiency Test Score Minimums
TOEFL = 80
IELTS = 7
MET = 54
Academic Statement
Personal Statement
Program-Specific Essay (Vision/Project Statement)
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your artistic journey that shifted your perspective as an actor. What aspect of your craft do you most want to develop during your time in our MFA Acting Program, and what kind of support or experiences do you imagine would help you achieve that growth? Additionally, imagine yourself three years after completing the program—what kind of work are you doing, and how has your training shaped the artist you’ve become?”
3 Letters of Recommendation
Resume