Offered in: Chicago

The Interdisciplinary Conservatory at Roosevelt University offers a Fast-Track Master of Arts degree in Theatre Directing to serve the needs of highly motivated theatre educators and early-career directors. Traditionally, the degree’s courses are delivered in three intensive summer sessions over a three-year period, with students completing 30 credit hours of required course work followed by a further 3 credit hours of thesis/capstone work to demonstrate the synthesis of their work as a director..

The Fast Track faculty includes Interdisciplinary and Theatre Conservatory professors and working professionals from the Chicago theatre community and beyond. The program stresses practical training for the director in tandem with special workshops and lectures with professionals in the field. Enrollment in the program is limited.

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.

ADMISSION

Requirements for admission to the MA program in theatre directing include a resume, an essay, a mini-portfolio, letters of recommendation, and official undergraduate transcripts. 

Grade Requirements

The minimum passing grade in all  classes for a student pursuing the Master’s degree is B-.

GPA Requirements

Master’s degree students must maintain a cumulative Roosevelt GPA of 3.0 or higher to be in good academic standing.

REQUIREMENTS

For the Fast Track rotation schedule, contact the CCPA Admission Office at (312) 341-6735. 

This degree map charts a suggested pathway through all of your required courses. It is incumbent upon all students to fully comprehend curricular requirements and course schedules, and while it is feasible to chart an alternate pathway, it is highly recommended that you do so in close consultation with your academic advisor so as to determine a degree path appropriately tailored to your needs.

Courses for the MA Theatre Directing degree are currently offered in a rotating cycle from year to year and your specific degree map will vary. Please consult with the Program Director and your Academic Advisor for the schedule of offerings and your specific degree map.

For example, students beginning in Summer 2026 would follow the below degree map: