Northwestern University Mock Trial

Who are we?

Northwestern University Mock Trial is a nationally competitive team of students within the American Mock Trial Association. NUMT provides a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in acting, public speaking, and law. Each year, we are given a different fictional civil or criminal case project and we act as attorneys and witnesses while arguing the case in front of judges. Our program, which was founded in 1985, is one of the top teams in the nation. We finished in 10th place at nationals during our fully virtual 2020-2021 season and 9th at the two national competitions prior. We are just one of three schools to qualify two teams to nationals in back-to-back years. Most importantly, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive environment where all members feel aptly supported to pursue their passion for competing while building a network with their peers and community.

What is our project? 

In order to compete at and host the regional level of competition, NUMT must purchase materials. Though our tournament is being held virtually, we still incur significant costs for materials to ensure each member of our program can compete at the highest level. These materials include high quality webcams and microphones for many competitors, laptop stands, ring lights, and more. Many members of our program also portray character witnesses, who often need to dress the part. For example, for students portraying characters who are detectives or doctors, wearing a badge or stethoscope adds to the level of authenticity. Furthermore, we often need to create and screenshare demonstrative aids throughout a given trial. The software to edit and share these demonstratives is costly, and often falls on individual members who take on the role of creating these visual aids. 

Our program wants to ensure no financial burden falls too heavily on team captains or tournament directors, and so the program covers the cost of these materials. However, with uncertainties associated with COVID-19, our costs have skyrocketed in comparison to last season. Assistance in purchasing these materials would allow Northwestern University Mock Trial to compete at and host the regional competition and succeed in qualifying for sectional and national championships. Without financial support, our program would have no choice but to limit the number of students who are given the opportunity to compete in NUMT or limit access to only those who can afford to pay for their own materials. Either of these scenarios is something we want to avoid at all costs, but we need your help to make sure this doesn’t happen. 

How can you help? 

    Make a gift! Even $10 goes a long way.

    Share our cause on social media!