Offered in: Chicago

The BFA in Acting is a pre-professional degree program designed to develop a strong, flexible 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 a variety of pedagogies.  Acting technique is based in Stanislavski’s system and also draws from the teachings of Michael Chekhov, Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, Anne Bogart and Tina Landau (Viewpoints), among others.  Students explore vocal development in our Voice and Speech series as well as physical awareness in our movement and lab classes.  The skills acquired in the first two years are then deepened and refined by adding more technically demanding elements in Shakespeare and heightened language, on-camera classes, period styles, circus arts, stage combat, and voiceover.  Acting Majors also receive training in dance and private lessons in singing voice as part of their curriculum.  Along with opportunities to perform in Conservatory productions, Acting majors have opportunities to become involved with some of Chicago’s most prestigious theatres.  Our focus on social justice -- from the first year of training in which we examine how social tenets have shaped our identities to the final year in which we ask students what they want to contribute to or change with their talents -- encourages the development of independent, creative artists.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in the Acting major should already have a strong background and interest in performance and acting.  Performing arts education/coursework is a plus but not required.

Please consult the CCPA Admission and Audition Information web page for the BFA in Acting audition requirements.

Residency Requirement

A student must complete at least 60 credit hours at Roosevelt University

Grade Requirement

A student must earn at least C- in all Theatre Conservatory coursework. and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in all of their subjects within their major subject area.

Requirements

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Theatre Electives should be chosen in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor, and may not include TVOI applied lessons.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.