News & Events

On July 1st in 1978, the Goodman School of Drama was officially absorbed into DePaul University after being severed from the Art Institute of Chicago. After the school departed from the Institute, the future was uncertain, and thousands of dedicated theatre-goers and Goodman School supporters launched a “save-the-school” letter-writing campaign. Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M., then Executive Vice-President of DePaul University, negotiated the acquisition of the school.

The school was placed in the McGaw Fine Arts Building on the Lincoln Park Campus, and shared space with the School of Music and the Art Department. Students produce their first show, Royal Gambit, in the Cortelyou Commons (pictured above). Children's theatre performances continue to take place at the Goodman Theatre, and other performances take place at various venues. Rea Warg is named acting dean of the Goodman School while it begins a search for a new dean who can transform and revitalize the small but mighty Goodman School.​