Theatre Arts

The Theatre School's Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in theatre arts is our most flexible program and allows students to study and experience a variety of theatrical disciplines. The program is tailored toward students interested in pursuing careers in areas as diverse as directing, arts writing, educational outreach, literary management, or arts administration.

BFA Theatre Arts Curriculum

First Year
The first-year curriculum is taken in collaboration with other theatre studies students and is an immersion into the culture of theatrical production and literature. Coursework includes script analysis, theatre history, and performance to facilitate critical thinking and an experiential understanding of the theatrical process. Students also participate in three crew assignments in various areas of production.
Second Year
In the second year, students continue their core theatre studies coursework including workshop courses in performance, design and technical areas, and dramatic theory. In collaboration with their advisor, students also identify their concentration and begin coursework in that area. Students take elective coursework in theatrical and other areas of study to support their own educational goals. Production assignments are arranged in consultation with the student’s advisor and are in support of the concentration.
Third Year
Fourth Year
The fourth year is a deep dive into students’ individual practice and preparation to enter the profession. Coursework includes continued elective studies and a capstone course designed to prepare students to enter the profession in their chosen field. Students receive experience and exposure to their profession though a professional internship of their choosing. Students also practice networking, and participate in a wide range of opportunities to share their work.

Choose a Concentration

BFA Theatre Arts students must declare a concentration which will influence the focus of their coursework, production work, and internship experiences over the final two years of the program.

Directing Concentration - Includes expanded coursework in directing; assistant directing opportunities in our production season; and directing assignments in the annual Wrights of Spring Festival, Theatre Studies Lab series, and other independent projects. Learn more.

Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) Concentration - Includes the study of dramatic literature for young audiences, educational outreach, artists as teachers, and educational practice. This concentration prepares students for working in education departments of theatres and in social institutions/programs. Learn more.

Standard Concentration - Students pursue coursework from a variety of theatrical areas, as chosen by the student and their advisor.

Featured Faculty

Students learn from a distinguished and award-winning faculty of professional directors, arts administrators, playwrights, and arts writers both in the classroom and through individual guidance and advising.

Coya Paz Brownrigg

Theatre Studies

Associate Dean for Curriculum and Instruction; Head of Theatre Arts

cbrownri@depaul.edu

Liberal Studies

In addition to the major's requirements, students complete 52 quarterly credit hours (13 courses) in the university's Liberal Studies Program. Courses are taken in theatre history, writing, quantitative reasoning and technological literacy, philosophical inquiry, religious dimensions, scientific inquiry, understanding the past, multiculturalism in the United States, and electives. These liberal studies courses are scheduled during the first three years of the program.

Theatre Arts

BFA Theatre Arts Curriculum

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Choose a Concentration

Featured Faculty

Liberal Studies

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