Why choose The Theatre School at DePaul?
The Theatre Studies department offers five highly specialized Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs: Comedy Arts, Dramaturgy/Criticism, Playwriting, Theatre Arts, and Theatre Management. Each major is a four-year professional training program designed to provide students with the skills and experiences necessary to prepare them for their careers.
Individual Attention – Small program sizes mean you are known. You receive personalized instruction, close mentorship, and train in a collaborative ensemble environment.
Highly Structured & Forward-Thinking Curriculum – A structured four-year conservatory model builds skill and responsibility each year. You graduate prepared for today’s evolving entertainment industry.
Learn by Doing – You gain real-world experience through 30+ productions each year of varying scale and style, performing, directing, designing, managing, and producing. Nearly every role is filled by students, letting you practice your craft in a professional setting. Many majors also include internships, creating a direct bridge between training and career opportunities across theatre, film, live events, immersive experiences, and more.
Working Professionals in Chicago – You learn from active industry artists in one of the country’s most vibrant theatre communities. Chicago provides access to internships, entrepreneurial opportunities, and a direct path into the entertainment pipeline.
Career Preparation – Your training opens doors beyond traditional theatre, including film and television, concerts and festivals, live events and immersive experiences, fashion and cosplay, circuses and theme parks, exhibitions and museums, clubs and attractions, and beyond. You enter the entertainment pipeline as a trained professional with adaptable skills ready to meet the needs of audiences around the world.
Featured Theatre Studies Faculty
Learn from the best in the business. Our Theatre Studies faculty are distinguished scholars, comedians, dramaturgs, and playwrights whose work shapes the conversation around theatre and performance. Meet the educators who will deepen your understanding of dramatic literature, theatre history, and critical theory while preparing you to engage thoughtfully with the art form.