Private school5.4K

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 Students

Browse programs

Theatre

Dance

Music performance

Composition & music studies

Music technology

Quick links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 Students

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

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

Avg GPA (W)

3.52

Admit rate

89%

school-wide

Grad rate

52%

Enrollment

5.4K

Earnings

$42K

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 Oct 1, 1:31 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

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

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 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

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 song and one contemporary monologue

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

Video Specifications

Video Requirements

Each song file should be 60-90 seconds. This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece.

Songs should be filmed in a ¾ shot, which means the top of the head to your knees should be visible in the frame.

Monologues should be filmed in a "close-up" shot, which means the top of the head to the middle of your chest should be visible in the frame.

Dance portion: submit two combinations with a total running time of no more than 2 minutes

Each piece can be filmed and uploaded as a separate file or as one continuous video

Total running time for all pieces should not exceed five minutes

Portfolio And Audition Requirements · colum.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition 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

Portfolio And Audition Requirements · colum.edu

University Essays

Writing Sample

100–250 words

Please provide a short personal statement that outlines your goals for your enrollment at Columbia College Chicago. You may choose to write about development of your creative practice, progress toward your career objectives, improving specific skills, or your own personal growth.

Freshman · colum.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit the college application before uploading portfolio/audition materials

Common App users: Columbia begins receiving Common App data in late August and emails Columbia Connect activation instructions once it has your data; you cannot upload portfolio/audition materials until you activate your Columbia Connect account

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 all prescreen materials by the published BFA deadline

Selected applicants are invited to continue after prescreen review

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

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 be considered for this award

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.52

Admit rate

89%

school-wide

Grad rate

52%

Enrollment

5.4K

Earnings

$42K

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

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

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 Oct 1, 1:31 PM