Auditions are held on campus in the Harmon Fine Arts Center on the following days. Please register by the Monday prior to your preferred audition event. An accompanist will be provided. 

Please note: students pursuing a B.A. Degree in Theatre are not required to audition for their program.

• November 20, 2026
• February 5, 2027

You can select your preferred date while completing the Theatre Audition Registration Form.

A typical schedule is below:

• 7:30-8:00 AM - Check-in / Greetings
• 8:00-10:00 AM - Auditions / Portfolio Reviews / Dance Call
• 8:30-9:30 AM - Admissions session for parents and family
• 10:00-11:00 AM- Q&A with theatre faculty and students
• 11:00 AM-12:00 PM - Lunch at The Hubb
• 12:00-12:30 PM - Admissions Overview Q&A with a campus tour to follow

*Schedule is subject to change due to number of auditions*

National Unified Auditions - Chicago, IL

Through National Unified Auditions, students can audition for multiple schools in one place rather than traveling to multiple schools. If this sounds like something you'd prefer, you can find Drake University at the Chicago National Unified Auditions.

• Date: February 1-3, 2027
• Registration Deadline: Students must register 72 hours before the event date or sign up at the event upon arrival.
• Room Location: Sandburg 6.
• A piano accompanist will not be provided. Please bring your accompaniment track(s) on your phone or other playback device.

Sign up for a time here

Note: Some Musical Theatre students may be invited for a group dance call-back later in the day.

Students who are unable to attend one of the scheduled On-Campus Audition Days above may submit recorded audition materials through the Acceptd platform. If you are considering this option, please keep in mind:

• You will still need to follow the steps outlined above above on how to audition before making an account on the Acceptd platform.
• The Acceptd platform is typically opened for recorded submissions in late September.
• Use of the Acceptd platform will incur a $35 application fee.

Acceptd Platform

Need help? If you need technical support while using the Acceptd platform, please visit this page.

1. Perform one 60-second monologue from a published play. Something contemporary and realistic is strongly recommended.
2. Sing two selections: Two contrasting vocal selections (no longer than one minute each)—one ballad, one up-tempo. If you plan to use our accompanist, you must bring sheet music in the correct key.
   
   If you plan to sing with a track, you must bring the pre-recorded accompaniment on an MP3 player. We will provide speakers and an auxiliary plug for your device.

What to bring to your audition:

• A copy of your resume detailing your production and theatre experience
• A copy of your sheet music, clearly marked and in the correct key (preferably in a 3-ring binder)
• A headshot, if you have one (not required)
• Appropriate audition attire
• Dance Call (or video submission), you will have time to change into dance attire

• Prepare on monologue (memorized).
  • Actors need to perform one monologue from a play. Do not audition with monologues from film scripts, movies, television shows, or musicals. Auditions are timed and monologues should not exceed 90 seconds. Actors have a total of 90 seconds for the audition. The timing starts with the first word of the monologue. This does not include the introduction of the monologue.
• Prepare one song (memorized).
  • Actors must sing to accompaniment and are required to bring sheet music. Do not sing to prerecorded music. Make sure the sheet music is in the correct key. The accompanist will not transpose any music. The song should be no longer than 90 seconds. Actors have a total of 90 seconds for the audition. The timing begins with the first piano note. This does not include the introduction of the song.
• The dance audition portion is optional for minors.

Perform two contrasting monologues, the total of which should be no longer than 2 minutes. Something contemporary and realistic is strongly recommended. If possible, the second monologue may come from Shakespeare.

What to bring to your audition:

• A copy of your resume detailing your production and theatre experience
• A headshot, if you have one (Not required)
• Appropriate audition attire

Note: If you wish to be considered for both the B.F.A. in Acting and the Musical Theatre Program, please prepare the Musical Theatre audition package.

• Drawings
• Sketches
• Paintings
• Stage management paperwork
• Photographs
• Programs/Playbills
• Theatrical performance posters

All work submitted in your portfolio must be created by you. Plagiarized work will not be accepted.

Drake University's Department of Theatre faculty prefer to meet with prospective BFA students in Theatre Design and Technology in person during the Drake Theatre Audition Days to present their work. If that is not possible, then a copy of your portfolio should be mailed to the department, and a phone interview will be scheduled.

Drake University
Harmon Fine Arts Center, 273A
1310 25th St.
Des Moines, IA 50311

Q.) How hard is it to double-major?
A.) For students pursuing the BFA degree, a second major is challenging, but doable. It requires hard work and careful planning to accomplish in four years. The BA degree, however, is specifically designed for students who wish to double-major in theatre and another area of interest.

Q.) Do you have a cap on enrollment?
A.) Given recent increases in the number of students auditioning for the program, the Department has instituted an unofficial cap of 20 BFA students (comprised of 16 performance majors: Acting, Theatre Education and Musical Theatre, and 4 Design/Technology majors) each academic year. This is done to ensure we recruit only the very best students, keep class sizes low and maintain an effective teacher/student ratio.

Q.) Does the Department hold/attend a "showcase"?
A.) No. Instead, we encourage students to attend local, regional and national auditions including UPTA and MWTA. In their senior year, for example, many of our students attend the Unified Professional Theatre Auditions (UPTA's), the region’s largest audition. In preparation for this audition, a Drake alum (and resident company member at Memphis Playhouse on the Square where the UPTA auditions are held every year) coaches our students on their audition material. This opportunity has led to students finding work on Broadway National Tours, regional theatre productions as well as booking agents.

Q.) What unique opportunities are available for students?
A.) Besides being able to advance your career by getting involved in the Des Moines theatre community, Drake Theatre is also closely connected to the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Our students have the opportunity to spend a semester exchange at the O'Neill center.

Q.) Can I audition for Main Stage shows as an incoming freshman?
A.) Yes! Main Stage auditions are open to all Drake Students. You are eligible to be cast in a Main Stage production in your first semester at Drake.

Q.) What is the policy for working in shows off campus?
A.) All BFA majors are required to audition for Drake Theatre’s shows first and are required to work on 2 Drake shows a semester. After casting is over and the commitments for 2 shows are filled, we encourage our students to audition for or work on other productions in the community.

Q.) Are there opportunities to work on theatrical productions off campus?
A.) Absolutely! Des Moines has a number of local professional and community theatre companies including:

• Iowa Stage Theatre Company
• Des Moines Community Playhouse
• Des Moines Performing Arts
• Pyramid Theatre Company
• Des Moines Young Artists Theatre
• Tallgrass Theatre Company

Our students have acted, directed, stage managed, designed and worked crew for all of these area theatres. Our students have also been hired to teach, direct and choreograph at local schools as well.

Q.) Are all students that are accepted into the theatre program given a Fine Arts Scholarship?
A.) No. Not every student who is accepted into the program will receive a scholarship from the Department. Only selected, B.F.A. Theatre majors are awarded a Fine Arts Scholarship.

Q.) Are Fine Arts Scholarships renewable?
A.) Yes. As long as you continue to meet the criteria for maintaining your scholarship, all Fine Arts Scholarship can be renewed each year for four years.

Q.) What other scholarships are available at Drake?
A.) Presidential Scholarships range from $20,000 to $23,000 per year. All prospective students that have applied and been admitted by the priority deadline of March 1 are automatically considered for these awards. Recipients of these tuition scholarships are chosen based on a complete review of the application for admission. The Drake University National Alumni Association awards prestigious scholarships to top students including the National Alumni Scholarship Program. 

Q.) Are there other resources for scholarships?
A.) Yes. There are resources out there for finding additional scholarships. Many of our students have found Fastweb.com a good source of information for scholarship opportunities. We absolutely understand that the cost of higher education can be prohibitive. Please try not to let finances be the only reason not to consider Drake.