Private school5.4K

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

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BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

25-40 Students

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BA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BFA Acting for Stage and Screen

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveStudy AbroadTransfer In Friendly

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BFA Comedy Writing and Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

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BA Theatre Arts: Production and Practice

Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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BA Theatre Arts: Production and Practice

Directing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BA Theatre Arts: Production and Practice

Playwriting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BA Theatre Arts: Production and Practice

Stage Management

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BA Theatre Arts: Production and Practice

Design and Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BA Comedy Writing and Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BA Acting for Stage and Screen

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

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BMus Performance and Songwriting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Quick Links

BA Music Production

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Training

•Hands-on learning with versatile performer training across acting, singing, and dance

•Students perform in up to 40 productions annually; new students encouraged to audition immediately

•Faculty are working professionals with experience across Chicago, New York, and beyond

Notable Alumni

•Chase Infiniti '22 — feature film debut alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another; appeared on Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent

•Rob Colletti '11 — Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon; lead in School of Rock national tour

•Aaron J. Nelson '12 — Broadway performer in The Lion King

Facilities

•State-of-the-art Getz Theatre Center with four professional-quality stages

•Full scene shop, costume shop, and makeup/prosthetics lab

Location

•Located in Chicago's vibrant theatre district with innovative storefront theaters and nationally recognized companies

School Info

Snapshot

3.52

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

52%

Grad Rate

5.4K

Enrollment

$42K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$37,390

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$66,290

Before aid

Average Net Price

$26,598

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated Jul 6, 8:57 PM

Program Highlights

Training

•Hands-on learning with versatile performer training across acting, singing, and dance

•Students perform in up to 40 productions annually; new students encouraged to audition immediately

•Faculty are working professionals with experience across Chicago, New York, and beyond

Notable Alumni

•Chase Infiniti '22 — feature film debut alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another; appeared on Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent

•Rob Colletti '11 — Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon; lead in School of Rock national tour

•Aaron J. Nelson '12 — Broadway performer in The Lion King

Facilities

•State-of-the-art Getz Theatre Center with four professional-quality stages

•Full scene shop, costume shop, and makeup/prosthetics lab

Location

•Located in Chicago's vibrant theatre district with innovative storefront theaters and nationally recognized companies

Program Highlights

Training

•Hands-on learning with versatile performer training across acting, singing, and dance

•Students perform in up to 40 productions annually; new students encouraged to audition immediately

•Faculty are working professionals with experience across Chicago, New York, and beyond

Notable Alumni

•Chase Infiniti '22 — feature film debut alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another; appeared on Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent

•Rob Colletti '11 — Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon; lead in School of Rock national tour

•Aaron J. Nelson '12 — Broadway performer in The Lion King

Facilities

•State-of-the-art Getz Theatre Center with four professional-quality stages

•Full scene shop, costume shop, and makeup/prosthetics lab

Location

•Located in Chicago's vibrant theatre district with innovative storefront theaters and nationally recognized companies

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

These Fall 2026 enrollment dates have passed — dates for the next cycle aren't available yet.

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Deadline

Priority Action DateMar 15, 2026

Regular DecisionRolling

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Cycle

Next cycle TBA

Deadline

BFA/BMus Materials DeadlineDec 1, 2025

Official Source

Prescreen Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Songs

Two Songs

•Submit two contrasting songs from the musical theatre canon

•One song should be a ballad and one should be up-tempo

•One song should be written before 1970 and the other after 1970

•Each song file should run 60-90 seconds including the slate

•Film the songs in a three-quarter shot from the top of the head to the knees

Song and Monologue

•Submit one musical theatre song and one contemporary monologue

•Choose the song that showcases you best

•Sing with musical accompaniment; no a cappella singing

Monologues

Prescreen Monologue

•Submit one contemporary monologue from a play or musical

•Do not use television, film, or dialect material

•Keep the piece age-appropriate

•Limit the file to 60 seconds including the slate

Dance

Both Provided Combinations

•Submit Combo 1 "The Wiz" and Combo 2 "Pirates"

•Tutorial videos are available on the Columbia admissions page

One Provided Plus One Additional

•Submit one provided combination

•Add one additional combination showing your strongest style or technique

•Extra style may be Hip-Hop, Tap, Acrobatics, West African, African-Caribbean, Latin, Ballroom, or similar

•Do not include barre work

Statement Video (30 Sec)

•Submit a 30-second personal artistic statement video

•May address areas of interest such as performance, teaching, choreography, or actor/musicianship

•May also share what makes you unique as an artist who would flourish at Columbia

Additional Materials

Resume

•Full resume of theatrical history including name of show, role played, and venue

Headshot

•Full-color headshot

Official Source

Callback Requirements

Additional Materials

Live Audition

•Group audition includes acting, music, and dance sections plus a group discussion

•The vocal portion includes a group vocal exercise

•Keep your sheet music available in case faculty ask you to sing

•Wear clothes you can move in

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Must submit application to the college prior to uploading portfolio/audition materials

•Common App users: allow 24 hours for processing before accessing Columbia Connect

•BFA programs are only available to fall applicants

Important Notes

•Submission will also be considered for Faculty Recognition Award

Transfer Pathway

Columbia College Chicago publishes its transfer requirements alongside the BFA artistic submission deadline. BFA Musical Theatre transfer applicants complete the same prescreen and audition as other applicants, and the college evaluates outside coursework case by case (confirm specifics with admissions). A separate, more flexible BA in Musical Theatre also exists for students who want to preserve more transfer credits.

Official Source

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Submit all prescreen materials by December 1

•Selected applicants are invited to continue in January

•Virtual or on-campus options are available for the live round

Audition Expectations

•Group audition includes brief acting, music, and dance sections plus a group discussion

•Be prepared to move in clothes you feel comfortable in

•Keep your sheet music available in case faculty ask you to sing

Scholarship Info

Faculty Recognition Award

•Columbia College Chicago's talent-based scholarship program for new, incoming students

•Awards range from $500 to full-tuition

•Up to five full-tuition awards available annually

•Renewable each year up to 120 credit hours or four years (requires full-time enrollment, 2.0 GPA, 67% completion rate)

•Applied toward tuition only

•Submission will automatically be considered for this award

School Info

Snapshot

3.52

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

52%

Grad Rate

5.4K

Enrollment

$42K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$37,390

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$66,290

Before aid

Average Net Price

$26,598

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•Hands-on learning with versatile performer training across acting, singing, and dance

•Students perform in up to 40 productions annually; new students encouraged to audition immediately

•Faculty are working professionals with experience across Chicago, New York, and beyond

Notable Alumni

•Chase Infiniti '22 — feature film debut alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another; appeared on Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent

•Rob Colletti '11 — Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon; lead in School of Rock national tour

•Aaron J. Nelson '12 — Broadway performer in The Lion King

Facilities

•State-of-the-art Getz Theatre Center with four professional-quality stages

•Full scene shop, costume shop, and makeup/prosthetics lab

Location

•Located in Chicago's vibrant theatre district with innovative storefront theaters and nationally recognized companies

Updated Jul 6, 8:57 PM

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