Roosevelt University’s Interdisciplinary Conservatory offers a Master of Arts in Theatre Directing, a graduate program tailored for early-career directors and theatre educators. This 18-month program is offered over two intensive six-week summer residencies and one asynchronous online course during the fall semester. Throughout the program, student-directors work closely with theatre professionals and educators from Chicago and beyond, gaining hands-on experience and industry insight.
After their final summer session, students apply their training in a thesis production during the fall or spring semester. With guidance from the program director, this culminating project may involve directing their own production or serving as an Assistant Director with a professional director.
Applicants should meet at least two of the following qualifications:
The Fast Track faculty includes Theatre Conservatory professors and working professionals from the Chicago theatre community.
The program stresses practical training for the secondary educator in tandem with special workshops and lectures with professionals in the field.
Students develop camaraderie by working together the entire summer.
Location: Chicago
Start Term: Summer
All applicants must submit a Roosevelt University application and all required supplemental items by the priority deadline of February 1 to be considered for admission. For more information, please see our admission requirements page. Applications for entry continue to be accepted and reviewed (if space is still available) until March 15.
Once the initial Roosevelt University application has been submitted, the next step is to complete the CCPA supplementary application through GetAcceptd.com. This is also where you will go to pay the $50 application fee.
In completing your secondary application on GetAcceptd.com you must submit the following:
Once all application materials have been received, applicants will be contacted to set up an interview.
The Fast Track tuition is charged by the credit hour, which is found under the Graduate Section on the tuition page. Tuition for the summer is due by the first week of class. A limited amount of University scholarships are available and students can also apply for loans through the Financial Aid Office. Some graduate students have been able to secure support and grants from their teaching institution/local areas as well as scholarships from private organizations.
The program focuses on refining directorial and performance skills, developing new approaches in teaching, design and production preparation, and working collaboratively with other teachers/students who are dedicated to creating theatre with young adults. The curriculum is designed specifically for the classroom theatre teacher and director/acting coach utilizing the expertise and experience of the individual students. All students experience the same classes together each summer.
View the course catalog for the Fast Track MA in Theatre Directing.
Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, CCPA is just steps away from Chicago's bustling theatre district that includes the Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare.
As an integral component of the Fast Track program, students are taken to various Chicago area theatres to view productions as an extension of the classroom experience. Opportunities to meet the actors, directors and others involved in the productions are included as a part of the theatre-going experience when possible.
Jim Iorio, Director of the Master of Arts in Theatre Directing Program
jiorio01@roosevelt.edu
—Elizabeth Henley
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