New Freshmen
Power to shape society, spark innovation and move culture.
That’s what Peck School of the Arts offers every student artist. Attending an arts school embedded in a major research university means every student receives the support needed to positively affect, and engage, the wider community and the world. As entrepreneurs, students are challenged to explore sustainable solutions to current issues through innovation, artistry and community engagement.
Applying to the Peck School of the Arts is a two-step process. First, complete and submit your UW-Milwaukee application. Second, complete your Peck School of the Arts application. An audition or interview is required for our dance, music and theatre majors. Program specifics listed below.
Step 1: Apply to UW-Milwaukee
To receive communications through the Admissions process from Peck School of the Arts, make sure you select a program from our degree list when applying to the university.
Step 2: Apply to Peck School of the Arts
After being admitted to UWM, no further steps are required to be eligible for acceptance into the Department of Art & Design. However, admitted students interested in applying for scholarship aid should do so by December 15 for priority consideration.
Contact
art-admission@uwm.edu
To be considered for the Dance BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts and complete a successful audition. Applicants interested in department-level scholarships must complete requirements by March 1 for priority consideration.
NOTE: Applicants may submit twice per year. Transfer students must complete half their required dance credits in the Peck School of the Arts to earn their BA or BFA from UW-Milwaukee.
Application
Applications are still being accepted for possible Fall 2021 entrance. Faculty will review materials and respond within 1-2 weeks. Please be patient as our faculty are also engaged in their professional work at this time. This may or may not require a virtual interview as well.
Statement of Intent (minimum 300 words)
Upload a one-page pdf that describes how your interests and past experiences relate to your intended college choice and career path.
Digital Audition
Audition performances are currently only being accepted digitally and must be pre-recorded and included with your application submission. Videos should be recorded in a studio or gym, not a residential space like a living room or bedroom (if at all possible). The videos can be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or a file sharing site like Google Drive or Dropbox. The links, plus related explanations and/or passwords, if not publicly shared, should also be included.
Solo Performance video URL (Duration: one minute)
Performance in any dance style
Technique/Style/Movement video URL (Duration: five to 10 minutes each)
Two to three samples of technique/style/movement – i.e. warmup, barre, jumps, freestyle, center, across the floor, improvisation, etc.
Plan ahead – uploading 20 – 25 minutes worth of content will take time and may even take several days. Do not edit footage or sound.Film in an appropriate location – reserving time at a dance studio or gym is best, but any open space will work. Use landscape format if you’re filming on a cell phone. We want to see your whole body and all the movements as much as possible.
Be yourself! – The faculty wants to see you – and it’s hard to do that on camera – so select a solo and samples that tell us as much as possible about who you are. This is a great place to show some of your own choreography and/or your unique qualities.
Virtual Interview
Applicants may be asked to meet with faculty for a virtual meeting over the summer.
Contact
dance-admission@uwm.edu
After being admitted to UWM, no further steps are required to be eligible for acceptance into the Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres. However, admitted students interested in applying for scholarship aid should do so by December 15.
Contact
film-admission@uwm.edu
To be considered for the music BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts and complete a successful audition on principal instrument or voice. Applicants interested in department-level scholarships must complete requirements by March 1 for priority consideration. Upon acceptance to the university, students may declare a Music Minor without a formal audition or interview.
Application
Applications are still being accepted for possible Fall 2021 entrance. Faculty will review materials and respond within 1-2 weeks. Please be patient as our faculty are also engaged in their professional work at this time. This may or may not require a virtual interview as well.
Statement of Intent
Upload a 100-word statement describing your desired musical career and how studying at UWM will help prepare you.
Placement Exams
- Music Theory Placement Exam
All intended music majors are required to take an online theory placement exam (sample exam). Although it is a requirement, this exam is for placement and will not impact your audition results. Instructions on how to access the exam will be emailed to you. The exam is not required for music minors. However, music minors with theory experience are encouraged to take the exam for possible advanced theory course placement. - Piano Placement
If you have prior piano experience, you have the opportunity to perform a short composition to help place you in the appropriate course level. Compositions should be recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Videos should include two segments:- One piece hands together—classical in style, i.e., no original compositions, jazz, or pop music; no memory required
- Two scales—one major and one minor scale hands together, two octaves, with correct fingerings
Digital Audition
Audition performances are currently only being accepted digitally and must be pre-recorded and included with your application submission at least one week prior to your Virtual Interview day.. Videos should be uploaded to YouTube. The links, plus related explanations and/or passwords, if not publicly shared, should also be included.
Video Submission
Please see the Music Audition requirements for each principal instrument or voice.
Plan ahead – Uploading video can take some time, so give yourself plenty of time to get your performance recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Please do not edit your performance. You may, however, turn the camera off between pieces.
Use the best equipment possible – Good quality video is possible using a phone or a laptop camera, but use a higher quality camera if you have access to one. And use the best microphone available to you
Make a test video – Try out your setup and settings to make sure that your video and audio are clear and distortion-free.
Play or sing with energy and commitment – We want to hear you at your best, so don’t hold back! Remember that we’re looking for energy, commitment, and a musical spark in addition to technical competence. Be as uninhibited and tension-free as possible and let us hear you bring your selections to life!
Virtual Interview
Applicants may be asked to meet with faculty for a virtual meeting over the summer.
Contact
music-admission@uwm.edu
Admission into the Theatre BA or BFA Major is a two-step process. Intended majors must both: 1) apply and be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, and 2) apply and complete a successful audition and/or interview with Theatre. Applicants may declare a Theatre Minor without audition or interview.”
| Resume & Statement of Intent | Letter(s) of Rec. | Digital Audition | Virtual Interview | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA: Theatre Practices | Y | N | N | Y |
| BA: Theatre Education | Y | N | N | Y |
| BFA: Acting | Y | 1 to Bill Watson, bwatson@uwm.edu | Y | Y |
| BFA: Musical Theatre | Y | 1-2 to Sheri Williams Pannell, pannell@uwm.edu | Y | Y |
| BFA: Production | Y | 1-2 to Chris Guse, cjg0001@uwm.edu | N | Y |
Application
Applications are still being accepted for possible Fall 2021 entrance. Faculty will review materials and respond within 1-2 weeks. Please be patient as our faculty are also engaged in their professional work at this time. This may or may not require a virtual interview as well.
Letters of Recommendation (acting, musical theatre, and production majors)
Instructors and/or employers familiar with your theatre or teaching experience and/or academic ability should email confidential letters of recommendation to the faculty advisor listed above.
Placement Exams (musical theatre majors only)
Piano Placement – Those with prior piano experience have the opportunity to perform a short composition to help place you in the right level course. Compositions should be recorded and uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or a file sharing site like Google Drive or Dropbox. Videos should include 1 piece hands together, no memory required. Classical style only, please; no original compositions, jazz, or popular style pieces. 1 major and 1 minor scale hands together, 2 octaves with correct fingerings.
Theory Placement – If you have music theory experience it is recommended that you take the online theory exam for course placement (sample exam). This exam is for placement and will not impact your audition results. There will be an opportunity to do placement tests for Musical Theatre classes prior to start of semester.
Resume & Statement of Intent
Upload a one-page resume detailing your performance/production or teaching experiences and extracurricular activities along with a one-page statement that describes how your interests and past experiences relate to your intended college choice and career path.
Digital Audition
Audition performances are currently only being accepted digitally and must be pre-recorded and included with your application submission. Videos should be recorded in a studio or gym if at all possible. (Don’t stress out about this – we’ve seen wonderful work done in places like a bathtub with the shower curtain pulled). Video files should include your name and can be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or a file sharing site like Google Drive or Dropbox. The links, plus related explanations and/or passwords, if not publicly shared, should also be included.
Monologue Video URL
- Acting: Performance of one 90-second memorized monologue of choice
- Musical Theatre: Performance of a one-minute memorized monologue from a contemporary play
Vocal Excerpt Video URLs
- Musical Theatre: Performance of two contrasting 32-bar vocal excerpts from standard musical theatre repertoire. You may sing a cappella, with an accompanist, or to a karaoke backing track; use a recording with pre-recorded vocals only if you have no other alternative.
Dance Solo Video URLs
- Musical Theatre: Performance of a one-minute dance solo from musical theatre, ballet, jazz or tap genres.
Virtual Interview
Applicants may be asked to meet with faculty for a virtual meeting over the summer.
Individual Student Meetings
- BA: Theatre Practices, BA: Theatre Education, BFA: Production – 30-90 minutes. During the interview, you will meet with the respective Area Head to discuss the program in detail. You may also be asked to meet at a future date to discuss how your specific path of study may be constructed.
- BFA: Acting – 15-30 minutes. Meet with Acting Faculty to discuss your reasons for pursuing this course of study and to ask any questions you might have. You may be asked to repeat your monologue.
- BFA: Musical Theatre – 15-30 minutes. Meet with Musical Theatre Faculty to discuss your reasons for pursuing this course of study and to ask any questions you might have. You may be asked to repeat your monologue or songs.
Contact
theatre-admission@uwm.edu
Transfer
UWM is the top transfer destination in the University of Wisconsin System.
Applying to the Peck School of the Arts is a two-step process. First, complete and submit your UW-Milwaukee application. Second, complete your Peck School of the Arts application. An audition or interview is required for our dance, music and theatre majors. Program specifics listed below.
If you attended a UW System school or Wisconsin Technical College, and would like to begin to evaluate how your courses may transfer, you can use the Transfer Information System or utilize the Transfer Equivalency Database. More information available on UWM’s transfer page.
Step 1: Apply to UW-Milwaukee
Congratulations on taking this next step toward a rewarding career in the arts! As a transfer student, you should apply to UWM by using the UW System application at the link below.
To receive communications through the Admissions process from Peck School of the Arts, make sure you select a program from our degree list when applying to the university.
Step 2: Apply to Peck School of the Arts
After being admitted to UWM, no further steps are required to be eligible for acceptance into the Department of Art & Design. However, admitted students interested in applying for scholarship aid should do so by December 15 for priority consideration.
Contact
art-admission@uwm.edu
To be considered for the Dance BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts and complete a successful audition. Applicants interested in department-level scholarships must complete requirements by March 1 for priority consideration.
NOTE: Applicants may submit twice per year. Transfer students must complete half their required dance credits in the Peck School of the Arts to earn their BA or BFA from UW-Milwaukee.
Application
Applications are still being accepted for possible Fall 2021 entrance. Faculty will review materials and respond within 1-2 weeks. Please be patient as our faculty are also engaged in their professional work at this time. This may or may not require a virtual interview as well.
Statement of Intent (minimum 300 words)
Upload a one-page pdf that describes how your interests and past experiences relate to your intended college choice and career path.
Digital Audition
Audition performances are currently only being accepted digitally and must be pre-recorded and included with your application submission. Videos should be recorded in a studio or gym, not a residential space like a living room or bedroom (if at all possible). The videos can be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or a file sharing site like Google Drive or Dropbox. The links, plus related explanations and/or passwords, if not publicly shared, should also be included.
Solo Performance video URL (Duration: one minute)
Performance in any dance style
Technique/Style/Movement video URL (Duration: five to 10 minutes each)
Two to three samples of technique/style/movement – i.e. warmup, barre, jumps, freestyle, center, across the floor, improvisation, etc.
Plan ahead – uploading 20 – 25 minutes worth of content will take time and may even take several days. Do not edit footage or sound.Film in an appropriate location – reserving time at a dance studio or gym is best, but any open space will work. Use landscape format if you’re filming on a cell phone. We want to see your whole body and all the movements as much as possible.
Be yourself! – The faculty wants to see you – and it’s hard to do that on camera – so select a solo and samples that tell us as much as possible about who you are. This is a great place to show some of your own choreography and/or your unique qualities.
Virtual Interview
Applicants may be asked to meet with faculty for a virtual meeting over the summer.
Contact
dance-admission@uwm.edu
After being admitted to UWM, no further steps are required to be eligible for acceptance into the Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres. However, admitted students interested in applying for scholarship aid should do so by December 15.
Contact
film-admission@uwm.edu
To be considered for the music BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts and complete a successful audition on principal instrument or voice. Applicants interested in department-level scholarships must complete requirements by March 1 for priority consideration. Upon acceptance to the university, students may declare a Music Minor without a formal audition or interview.
Application
Applications are still being accepted for possible Fall 2021 entrance. Faculty will review materials and respond within 1-2 weeks. Please be patient as our faculty are also engaged in their professional work at this time. This may or may not require a virtual interview as well.
Statement of Intent
Upload a 100-word statement describing your desired musical career and how studying at UWM will help prepare you.
Placement Exams
- Music Theory Placement Exam
All intended music majors are required to take an online theory placement exam (sample exam). Although it is a requirement, this exam is for placement and will not impact your audition results. Instructions on how to access the exam will be emailed to you. The exam is not required for music minors. However, music minors with theory experience are encouraged to take the exam for possible advanced theory course placement. - Piano Placement
If you have prior piano experience, you have the opportunity to perform a short composition to help place you in the appropriate course level. Compositions should be recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Videos should include two segments:- One piece hands together—classical in style, i.e., no original compositions, jazz, or pop music; no memory required
- Two scales—one major and one minor scale hands together, two octaves, with correct fingerings
Digital Audition
Audition performances are currently only being accepted digitally and must be pre-recorded and included with your application submission at least one week prior to your Virtual Interview day.. Videos should be uploaded to YouTube. The links, plus related explanations and/or passwords, if not publicly shared, should also be included.
Video Submission
Please see the Music Audition requirements for each principal instrument or voice.
Plan ahead – Uploading video can take some time, so give yourself plenty of time to get your performance recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Please do not edit your performance. You may, however, turn the camera off between pieces.
Use the best equipment possible – Good quality video is possible using a phone or a laptop camera, but use a higher quality camera if you have access to one. And use the best microphone available to you
Make a test video – Try out your setup and settings to make sure that your video and audio are clear and distortion-free.
Play or sing with energy and commitment – We want to hear you at your best, so don’t hold back! Remember that we’re looking for energy, commitment, and a musical spark in addition to technical competence. Be as uninhibited and tension-free as possible and let us hear you bring your selections to life!
Virtual Interview
Applicants may be asked to meet with faculty for a virtual meeting over the summer.
Contact
music-admission@uwm.edu
Admission into the Theatre BA or BFA Major is a two-step process. Intended majors must both: 1) apply and be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, and 2) apply and complete a successful audition and/or interview with Theatre. Applicants may declare a Theatre Minor without audition or interview.”
| Resume & Statement of Intent | Letter(s) of Rec. | Digital Audition | Virtual Interview | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA: Theatre Practices | Y | N | N | Y |
| BA: Theatre Education | Y | N | N | Y |
| BFA: Acting | Y | 1 to Bill Watson, bwatson@uwm.edu | Y | Y |
| BFA: Musical Theatre | Y | 1-2 to Sheri Williams Pannell, pannell@uwm.edu | Y | Y |
| BFA: Production | Y | 1-2 to Chris Guse, cjg0001@uwm.edu | N | Y |
Application
Applications are still being accepted for possible Fall 2021 entrance. Faculty will review materials and respond within 1-2 weeks. Please be patient as our faculty are also engaged in their professional work at this time. This may or may not require a virtual interview as well.
Letters of Recommendation (acting, musical theatre, and production majors)
Instructors and/or employers familiar with your theatre or teaching experience and/or academic ability should email confidential letters of recommendation to the faculty advisor listed above.
Placement Exams (musical theatre majors only)
Piano Placement – Those with prior piano experience have the opportunity to perform a short composition to help place you in the right level course. Compositions should be recorded and uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or a file sharing site like Google Drive or Dropbox. Videos should include 1 piece hands together, no memory required. Classical style only, please; no original compositions, jazz, or popular style pieces. 1 major and 1 minor scale hands together, 2 octaves with correct fingerings.
Theory Placement – If you have music theory experience it is recommended that you take the online theory exam for course placement (sample exam). This exam is for placement and will not impact your audition results. There will be an opportunity to do placement tests for Musical Theatre classes prior to start of semester.
Resume & Statement of Intent
Upload a one-page resume detailing your performance/production or teaching experiences and extracurricular activities along with a one-page statement that describes how your interests and past experiences relate to your intended college choice and career path.
Digital Audition
Audition performances are currently only being accepted digitally and must be pre-recorded and included with your application submission. Videos should be recorded in a studio or gym if at all possible. (Don’t stress out about this – we’ve seen wonderful work done in places like a bathtub with the shower curtain pulled). Video files should include your name and can be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or a file sharing site like Google Drive or Dropbox. The links, plus related explanations and/or passwords, if not publicly shared, should also be included.
Monologue Video URL
- Acting: Performance of one 90-second memorized monologue of choice
- Musical Theatre: Performance of a one-minute memorized monologue from a contemporary play
Vocal Excerpt Video URLs
- Musical Theatre: Performance of two contrasting 32-bar vocal excerpts from standard musical theatre repertoire. You may sing a cappella, with an accompanist, or to a karaoke backing track; use a recording with pre-recorded vocals only if you have no other alternative.
Dance Solo Video URLs
- Musical Theatre: Performance of a one-minute dance solo from musical theatre, ballet, jazz or tap genres.
Virtual Interview
Applicants may be asked to meet with faculty for a virtual meeting over the summer.
Individual Student Meetings
- BA: Theatre Practices, BA: Theatre Education, BFA: Production – 30-90 minutes. During the interview, you will meet with the respective Area Head to discuss the program in detail. You may also be asked to meet at a future date to discuss how your specific path of study may be constructed.
- BFA: Acting – 15-30 minutes. Meet with Acting Faculty to discuss your reasons for pursuing this course of study and to ask any questions you might have. You may be asked to repeat your monologue.
- BFA: Musical Theatre – 15-30 minutes. Meet with Musical Theatre Faculty to discuss your reasons for pursuing this course of study and to ask any questions you might have. You may be asked to repeat your monologue or songs.
Contact
theatre-admission@uwm.edu
Graduate
A graduate education at UWM is more than just a degree. It’s an experience.
Whether you are interested in a professional master’s degree or advancing your career with a certification, you can be confident in knowing that we are just as committed to your education as you are.
Prospective graduate students must complete and submit an application to UWM’s Graduate School.
Have questions about the admission process?
Contact: Nicole Ridgway, ridgwayn@uwm.edu or (414) 229-6053
Prospective graduate students must complete and submit an application to UWM’s Graduate School.
Have questions about the admission process?
Contact: Maria Gillespie, gillespi@uwm.edu, or (414) 251-8716
Prospective graduate students must complete and submit an application to UWM’s Graduate School by January 15th.
The most substantive parts of the application include work samples (see below), a written statement of intent, and curriculum vitae.
- Time-Based Maker Work Samples
Submit URLs and passwords (if password protected) for two time-based work samples. If a work is longer than 20 minutes, please submit a URL for an excerpt of 5–10 minutes along with a URL to the full piece. With each URL, please include title of sample, total running time, year of production, and a clear indication of your role in the work. - Multi-Media Maker Work Samples
Submit a URL to one time-based work, and documentation for two additional works (installation, sculpture, performance, etc.). For each non-time-based work, please submit at least one still image. However, if the work is better represented by multiple stills, you may add up to 10 per work. With each work, please include title of sample, total running time, year of production, and a clear indication of your role in the work.
Have questions about the admission process?
Contact: Jesse McLean, mcleanj@uwm.edu
Before beginning your application to UWM’s Graduate School, please review your specific major’s audition and admission requirements below:
Have additional questions about the admission or audition process?
Contact: Tim Noonan, tpnoonan@uwm.edu or (414) 229-2286
Certification
Do you already hold a bachelor’s degree, but want to complete an additional undergraduate certification program?
Peck School of the Arts offers certification in three areas: Art Education (EC-A), Music Education (EC-A), and Theatre Education (EC-A). The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program is available for those who already hold an undergraduate degree in the corresponding content-specific area, and graduated with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. If you do not hold the corresponding content-specific undergraduate degree, you must instead apply as a second-degree seeking student.
All interested applicants are required to meet face-to-face with their future department area head prior to submitting the university application. To apply, first review the list of required materials below.
Important Deadlines:
Dec 15 for admission the following Spring/Summer
July 15 for admission the following Fall
Step 1: Peck School of the Arts Evaluation
Schedule Interview
Art Education | Email Liz Rex at rex@uwm.edu
-Requires visual arts undergraduate degree
-Portfolio review and discussion of prior undergraduate studies
Music Education | Email Sheila Feay-Shaw at feayshaw@uwm.edu
-Requires music undergraduate degree
-Primary instrument, piano, and sight-singing auditions
Theatre Education | Email Ralph Janes at janes@uwm.edu
-Requires theatre undergraduate degree or equivalent (subject to transcript review)
-Review related professional and educational experiences
Mail Official Transcript
Obtain official transcripts from all institutions of higher education, technical colleges, schools, and programs (except UWM) and send to the address below. The transcripts should bear an official embossed seal and remain unopened/untampered in the institution’s original envelope. If you attended UWM, you may submit unofficial transcripts.
UWM Peck School of the Arts
Assistant Dean, Student Services
Theatre Building Rm 120
2400 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
Submit Interview Materials
Portfolio (Art & Design only)
Upload a single PDF including 10-15 examples of your artwork representative of the breadth and depth of prior undergraduate studies. Identify each image by media, size, and year of completion.
Resume
Upload a resume that includes your educational background, work experience, special talents/skills, and other relevant experience with children. Do not exceed two pages.
Unofficial Transcript
Upload copies of unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher education, including technical colleges, schools, and programs (except UWM).
Education License (if applicable)
Upload copies of Wisconsin or Out-of-State Education License(s).
Stipulations Letter (if applicable)
Upload any documentation that you may have received from DPI concerning any stipulations or license renewals that may pertain to your application or program requirements.