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​Bachelor's in Acting (BFA)

Chicago College of Performing Arts

Become the role. Along with opportunities to perform in main stage and black box productions, acting majors intern at some of Chicago's most prestigious theatres including the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, and the Goodman Theatre. Learn from incredible faculty and live in the heart of downtown Chicago!

DifferentiatorsExpectationsFacultyAdmission RequirementsRelated Programs
Roosevelt University's Wabash tower and Auditorium building in Chicago


Location: Chicago
Start Term: Fall
Program Type: Major

The Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) consists of 200 undergraduate students, divided between our acting and musical theatre programs. Students are guaranteed onstage performance credit while they are at CCPA — more time onstage means more training for your future career in the theatre.

Our faculty is comprised of full-time professors as well as many active theatre professionals who lend their unique talents and expertise to the Conservatory. At CCPA, our students learn from and work alongside Chicago's very best, and a low student/faculty ratio results in focused study tailored to each student's needs.

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, CCPA is just steps away from Chicago's bustling theatre district and the Tony award-winning Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre — and our students have graced the stages of them all. An outstanding internship program provides CCPA's students with placements at some of Chicago's best theatres, and upperclassmen in good standing are allowed to audition for productions outside of CCPA, adding valuable professional credits to their resumes prior to graduation.

Kestutis Nakas
, Head of Acting
knakas@roosevelt.edu
312-341-2048

What Differentiates Us

Performance

Performance

Students are guaranteed onstage performance credit while they are at CCPA — more time onstage means more training for your future career in the theatre.

Location

Location

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, CCPA is just steps away from Chicago's bustling theatre district and the Tony award-winning Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre — and our students have graced the stages of them all.

Internships

Internships

An outstanding internship program provides CCPA's students with placements at some of Chicago's best theatres, and upperclassmen in good standing are allowed to audition for productions outside of CCPA, adding valuable professional credits to their resumes prior to graduation.

Expectations & Requirements

Standards

The BFA in Acting is a pre-professional degree program designed to develop a strong foundation in the skills required for a career as an actor on stage, and in film and television. The acting program provides students with intensive training in several techniques including Stanislavski-based work, Viewpoints, period styles, on-camera technique, circus arts, stage combat, and Linklater voice and body technique. Acting majors also receive training in dance and voice lessons as part of their curriculum. Along with opportunities to perform in mainstage and blackbox productions, acting majors also have the opportunity to intern at some of Chicago’s most prestigious theatres including Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theater Company and Goodman Theatre, and dozens of smaller Chicago theatres.

View Academic Catalog
Admission
Theater production

Audition Information

All theatre applicants must audition in person; video auditions are not admissible. After submitting the Performing Arts application, applicants will be emailed information on how to schedule their audition through GetAcceptd.com.

Dates & Locations


On Campus Auditions

CCPA Dance Studios, 218 South Wabash Ave, 3rd Floor Dance Studios, Chicago, IL 60604

January 26, 2019
February 2, 2019
February 16, 2019

National Unified Auditions

*Students auditioning at the Unified Auditions will still schedule their auditions individually with each school they plan to audition for

January 19-20, 2019

New York City: Pearl Studios, 500 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10018

February 3 (Dance Call Only) 4-7, 2019

Chicago: CCPA will not be holding our Chicago Unified auditions at the Palmer House Hilton.  Please see our audition location below:

Roosevelt University, Auditorium Building, 430 S Michigan Ave, 2nd Floor Congress Lounge, Chicago, IL 60605

February 9-10, 2019

Los Angeles: Westin Los Angeles Airport, 5400 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Audition Requirements

Audition (10 min): Two contrasting monologues from contemporary plays (one comedic, one dramatic). Each monologue should be no longer than two minutes. Characters should be close to your age. If you choose an ethnic piece, the contrasting piece should be ethnically non-specific. Monologues should be performed from memory.

If you have any questions, please contact the CCPA Office of Enrollment at ccpaadmissions@roosevelt.edu.

Learn more about CCPA admission