Undergraduate Admission

Application Deadlines & Timeline

Programs

The Theatre School offers two types of undergraduate degrees: a conservatory-based Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a humanities-based Bachelor of Arts (BA).

The school offers fourteen highly specialized BFA majors across three departments: Design and Technology, Performance, and Theatre Studies. Each BFA major is a four-year professional training program that provides students with the skills, hands-on experience, and practical training needed to prepare for careers in the theatre and entertainment industry.

The BA in Theatre is also a four-year degree program but takes a broader, interdisciplinary approach to the study of theatre. Rooted in the humanities, it emphasizes academic exploration and offers students greater flexibility in shaping their educational experience.

What Is the Difference Between a BFA and a BA?

Both the BA and BFA are four-year undergraduate degrees, but they differ in focus and structure.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a conservatory-style program centered on intensive training in a specific area of theatre. Coursework combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning and production experience. Because most courses are within the major, BFA students typically complete fewer general education requirements. The Theatre School's fourteen BFA majors are housed within the Design and Technology, Performance, and Theatre Studies departments.

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre emphasizes the broad, interdisciplinary, and academic study of theatre. It is ideal for students who want to explore multiple aspects of theatre before narrowing their focus or who want to explore the intersectionality between theatre and other academic areas of study. The BA requires fewer theatre-specific courses, allowing students greater flexibility to pursue coursework in other disciplines, add a second major, or customize their academic path.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre

The BA in Theatre is a humanities-based, academically focused program that does not require an interview or audition for admission.

The BA in Theatre offers multiple entry terms:

  • Fall Quarter: Application deadline is February 1
  • Winter Quarter: Application deadline is November 1
  • Spring Quarter: Application deadline is March 1

To apply, submit either the Common Application or the Transfer Application, along with your official transcripts, test scores (optional), proof of English proficiency (required if educated outside the U.S). Within 24 hours of submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email with access to Blue Demon Domain, your personalized application status portal.

  • Official School Transcript(s)

  • SAT or ACT Test Scores (optional for most applicants)

  • Proof of English Language Proficiency (required if educated outside of the U.S.)

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Programs

All applicants to The Theatre School's 14 Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs—including transfer students—follow the same application deadlines and admission timeline. Students admitted to a BFA program begin their studies in the Fall Quarter.

The Theatre School does not offer Early Action or Early Decision for BFA applicants. All applicants receive a final admission decision by mid-March.

If you are considering transferring into The Theatre School, either from a non-theatre program at DePaul University or from another institution, please review our Transfer Student FAQ.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Deadlines & Timeline

August 1Applications Open
December 1

Prescreen/Application Deadline (Acting and Stage Management only)
Applications close for BFA Acting and BFA Stage Management.

  • Actors must have their application, photograph and prescreen video submitted by this date. All supplemental application items must be submitted by February 1.
  • Stage Managers must have their application AND all supplemental application items submitted by this date.
February 1

Application Deadline (all other majors)
Applications close for all remaining Theatre School majors. All application materials must be received by this date.

Interview/Callback Audition Registration Deadline 
Last date to register for an Interview/Callback Audition (in-person or virtual).  Available slots are first-come, first served.  Please register early. 

Mid-March

Admissions decisions are released along with Theatre School Scholarships and need-based financial aid awards.

The Theatre School does not offer Early Action or Early Decision. All applicants to The Theatre School will receive a final decision on their application by mid-March.

May 1Deadline to respond to offer of admission

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Application Process

Step 1: Submit The Common Application or DePaul's Transfer Application
 

Begin by submitting your application and selecting The Theatre School and one of our BFA programs as your intended major. Applicants cannot apply to The Theatre School as undeclared or undecided and may submit only one application to DePaul University at a time.

Within 24 hours of submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email with access to Blue Demon Domain, your personalized application status portal.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required application materials are received by the stated deadline. 

Step 2: Audition or Interview
 

The BFA Acting program requires an audition. All other BFA programs require an interview.  Select your intended major below to learn more about the audition or interview process and any major-specific application materials that must be submitted before registering. 
 

  • BFA Acting (prescreen required)

  • BFA Comedy Arts

  • BFA Costume Design

  • BFA Costume Technology

  • BFA Dramaturgy/Criticism

  • BFA Lighting Design

  • BFA Playwriting

  • BFA Scene Design

  • BFA Sound Design

  • BFA Stage Management (prescreen required)

  • BFA Theatre Arts

  • BFA Theatre Management

  • BFA Theatre Technology

  • BFA Wig and Makeup Design & Technology

Step 3: Submit Additional Application Materials
 

Although the audition or interview (and its associated materials) is the most important part of the admissions process for The Theatre School, there are a couple other materials you will need to submit in order to complete your application: 
 

  • Official School Transcript(s)

  • Letters of Recommendation

  • Photograph

  • SAT or ACT Test Scores (optional for most applicants)

  • Proof of English Language Proficiency (required if educated outside of the U.S.)

Step 4:  Admissions Decisions and Next Steps for Admitted Students 
 

The Theatre School does not offer Early Action or Early Decision.  

  • BFA Acting applicants who submit a prescreen by December 1 will receive either an admission decision (denial) or an invitation to schedule a callback audition. Notifications are sent via email on a rolling basis, approximately two weeks after submission.
  • BFA Stage Management applicants who submit a complete application by December 1 will receive either an admission decision (denial) or an invitation to interview no later than January 1. 
     

BFA Acting and Stage Management applicants who are denied at the prescreen stage are encouraged to reapply to another program at The Theatre School or elsewhere at DePaul University by completing the Reconsideration Request Form available in their Blue Demon Domain account.

Following callback auditions and interviews, all applicants to the BFA programs will receive a final admission decision by mid-March.  Admission decisions are sent directly to applicants via email.  There are three possible outcomes: deny, waitlist, or admit.

If You Are Denied

Students who are denied admission are encouraged to complete the Reconsideration Request Form in their Blue Demon Domain account. The Theatre School offers 14 BFA programs, and DePaul University offers more than 130 undergraduate programs. Reconsideration requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may require additional materials or admission processes. In some cases, consideration may be possible for select BFA programs that have not yet reached capacity. Please refer to the Reconsideration Request Form for a current list of available programs.

If You Are Waitlisted

Students must accept or decline their waitlist position by April 1. Please see our Waitlist FAQ for additional information.

Students who wish to be considered for another major while remaining on the waitlist may complete the Reconsideration Request Form in their Blue Demon Domain account. Submitting a reconsideration request will not affect waitlist status but may expedite admission to another major if admission from the waitlist is not ultimately offered.

If You Are Admitted

Students must accept or decline their offer of admission by May 1 and complete all next steps outlined in their admission materials to secure enrollment.
 

 

  • Getting Started: BlueKey/Campus Connect

  • Reply to DePaul's Offer of Admission

  • Housing & Meal Plan Options

  • Placement Tests

  • AP, IB, CLEP, or A & A/S Level Scores

  • Orientation & Registering for Classes

  • Final Transcript (Official Copy)

  • Health Insurance and Proof of Immunization

 Want to learn more about applying, auditions/interviews, or what it's like to be a student at The Theatre School? Check out our admission "frequently asked questions" page! If you have questions about or need help with your application, please contact the Theatre School Admissions Office at (773) 325-7999 or theatreadmissions@depaul.edu.