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Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveStudy Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveStudy Abroad

Browse programs

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 Abroad

Training

Applied project work in theatre, film, and TV with over 50 productions annually

Professional soundstages for on-camera experience

Collaboration with Columbia's film program on student-directed films

Notable Alumni

Joseph Sikora '98 — star of Power and Power Book IV: Force; Honorary Doctorate recipient '25

Aayisha Ruby Gold '13 — recurring role on NBC's Chicago P.D

Shea Couleé '11 — drag superstar, Marvel's Ironheart cast member, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars winner

Professional Development

Internship opportunities with top Chicago theaters

Semester options in Los Angeles or at Chicago's Second City

Study abroad opportunities in London

96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within a year

Facilities

Four professional stages, fully stocked scene and costume department

Makeup and prosthetics lab

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

2026 27 Undergradnew · colum.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 26, 3:10 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Applied project work in theatre, film, and TV with over 50 productions annually

Professional soundstages for on-camera experience

Collaboration with Columbia's film program on student-directed films

Notable Alumni

Joseph Sikora '98 — star of Power and Power Book IV: Force; Honorary Doctorate recipient '25

Aayisha Ruby Gold '13 — recurring role on NBC's Chicago P.D

Shea Couleé '11 — drag superstar, Marvel's Ironheart cast member, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars winner

Professional Development

Internship opportunities with top Chicago theaters

Semester options in Los Angeles or at Chicago's Second City

Study abroad opportunities in London

96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within a year

Facilities

Four professional stages, fully stocked scene and costume department

Makeup and prosthetics lab

Program Highlights

Training

Applied project work in theatre, film, and TV with over 50 productions annually

Professional soundstages for on-camera experience

Collaboration with Columbia's film program on student-directed films

Notable Alumni

Joseph Sikora '98 — star of Power and Power Book IV: Force; Honorary Doctorate recipient '25

Aayisha Ruby Gold '13 — recurring role on NBC's Chicago P.D

Shea Couleé '11 — drag superstar, Marvel's Ironheart cast member, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars winner

Professional Development

Internship opportunities with top Chicago theaters

Semester options in Los Angeles or at Chicago's Second City

Study abroad opportunities in London

96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within a year

Facilities

Four professional stages, fully stocked scene and costume department

Makeup and prosthetics lab

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Opens

Common Application opens for Fall 2027Aug 1, 2026

Fall 2027 Columbia application opensSep 8, 2026

Deadline

Priority application deadline (priority admission and scholarship review)Nov 1, 2026

Final university application deadline — university app required before your prescreen deadline (Columbia Connect portfolio upload opens only after you apply)Dec 1, 2026

Timeline · colum.edu Portfolio And Audition Requirements · colum.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Deadline

Final prescreen/portfolio and college application deadline (11:59 p.m. CST)Dec 1, 2026

Portfolio And Audition Requirements · colum.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Monologues

Requirements

Two Contrasting Monologues totaling no more than three minutes

Wildcard / Special SkillOptional

Wild Card Video—This media can be anything you want: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passionate speech, an instrument that you play, etc. 'What do you want us to know about you?' and 'What makes you unique?'. This submission should be no longer than 90 seconds.

Additional Materials

Resume

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

Headshot

Full-color headshot

Statement (Required)

500 words maximum describing your reasons for pursuing a BFA in Acting

Portfolio And Audition Requirements · colum.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Live Audition

Be ready to perform either of the two monologues from your prescreen submission

Faculty may ask you to revisit one selection and work on it during the audition

Portfolio And Audition Requirements · colum.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit the college application before uploading portfolio/audition materials

Common App users should allow 24 hours after submitting Common App before Columbia Connect access is activated

Important Notes

Fall 2026 applications are closed

Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 applications open September 8, 2026

Current 2027 portfolio and audition guidelines are published on Columbia's official requirements page

Priority application deadline: November 1, 2026

Final deadline for this program: December 1, 2026; applications are not accepted after this date

BFA and BMus programs are available only to fall applicants

What's The Process

Audition Process

Submit two contrasting monologues and supporting materials by the published BFA deadline

Selected applicants are invited to continue after prescreen review

Audition Expectations

Virtual or on-campus audition options are available

Faculty hold a short conversation about who you are, why you want to study acting, and how you want to grow at Columbia

Be prepared to work briefly on one of the monologues from your prescreen submission

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

Your submission will automatically be considered for the Faculty Recognition 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

2026 27 Undergradnew · colum.edu College Scorecard

Training

Applied project work in theatre, film, and TV with over 50 productions annually

Professional soundstages for on-camera experience

Collaboration with Columbia's film program on student-directed films

Notable Alumni

Joseph Sikora '98 — star of Power and Power Book IV: Force; Honorary Doctorate recipient '25

Aayisha Ruby Gold '13 — recurring role on NBC's Chicago P.D

Shea Couleé '11 — drag superstar, Marvel's Ironheart cast member, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars winner

Professional Development

Internship opportunities with top Chicago theaters

Semester options in Los Angeles or at Chicago's Second City

Study abroad opportunities in London

96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within a year

Facilities

Four professional stages, fully stocked scene and costume department

Makeup and prosthetics lab

Updated Aug 26, 3:10 PM