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DePaul University

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program Recognition

Midwest's oldest theatre conservatory — founded in 1925 as the Goodman School of Drama, celebrating 100 years of training

Highly selective: ~2,000 applicants compete for 134 spots across all Theatre School programs

Rooted in the Chicago theatre tradition — physicality, truth in action, collaboration, spontaneity

Training

First year builds a broad technical foundation; years 2–4 refine individual artistic voice and add advanced skills

Prepares actors for both stage and screen with conservatory-level rigor

Faculty of ~30 full-time and ~65 adjunct professional artists — all courses faculty-taught

Performance & Productions

30+ productions per year (~300 performances, ~28,000 audience members annually)

Three performance venues: 250-seat Watts Stage (thrust), 100-seat Healy Theatre (flexible black box), and studio spaces

Notable Alumni

Gillian Anderson — Emmy winner (The X-Files, The Crown)

John C. Reilly — Oscar nominee (Chicago, Step Brothers)

Judy Greer — Archer, 13 Going on 30, Ant-Man

Sean Gunn — Gilmore Girls, Guardians of the Galaxy

Michael Rooker — The Walking Dead, Guardians of the Galaxy

David Dastmalchian — The Dark Knight, The Suicide Squad

Professional Development

Internships at Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Public Theater, Kennedy Center, and more

Greece Summer Acting Intensive on the island of Hydra

Location

Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood — direct access to one of the country's most active professional theatre scenes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2027: 30 students

Class of 2026: 32 students

School Info

Snapshot

3.78

Avg GPA (W)

76%

Admit Rate

school-wide

68%

Grad Rate

14.1K

Enrollment

$69K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$51,303

Before aid

Average Net Price

$30,902

After aid

Undergraduate Tuition And Fees · depaul.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 26, 2:07 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Midwest's oldest theatre conservatory — founded in 1925 as the Goodman School of Drama, celebrating 100 years of training

Highly selective: ~2,000 applicants compete for 134 spots across all Theatre School programs

Rooted in the Chicago theatre tradition — physicality, truth in action, collaboration, spontaneity

Training

First year builds a broad technical foundation; years 2–4 refine individual artistic voice and add advanced skills

Prepares actors for both stage and screen with conservatory-level rigor

Faculty of ~30 full-time and ~65 adjunct professional artists — all courses faculty-taught

Performance & Productions

30+ productions per year (~300 performances, ~28,000 audience members annually)

Three performance venues: 250-seat Watts Stage (thrust), 100-seat Healy Theatre (flexible black box), and studio spaces

Notable Alumni

Gillian Anderson — Emmy winner (The X-Files, The Crown)

John C. Reilly — Oscar nominee (Chicago, Step Brothers)

Judy Greer — Archer, 13 Going on 30, Ant-Man

Sean Gunn — Gilmore Girls, Guardians of the Galaxy

Michael Rooker — The Walking Dead, Guardians of the Galaxy

David Dastmalchian — The Dark Knight, The Suicide Squad

Professional Development

Internships at Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Public Theater, Kennedy Center, and more

Greece Summer Acting Intensive on the island of Hydra

Location

Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood — direct access to one of the country's most active professional theatre scenes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2027: 30 students

Class of 2026: 32 students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Midwest's oldest theatre conservatory — founded in 1925 as the Goodman School of Drama, celebrating 100 years of training

Highly selective: ~2,000 applicants compete for 134 spots across all Theatre School programs

Rooted in the Chicago theatre tradition — physicality, truth in action, collaboration, spontaneity

Training

First year builds a broad technical foundation; years 2–4 refine individual artistic voice and add advanced skills

Prepares actors for both stage and screen with conservatory-level rigor

Faculty of ~30 full-time and ~65 adjunct professional artists — all courses faculty-taught

Performance & Productions

30+ productions per year (~300 performances, ~28,000 audience members annually)

Three performance venues: 250-seat Watts Stage (thrust), 100-seat Healy Theatre (flexible black box), and studio spaces

Notable Alumni

Gillian Anderson — Emmy winner (The X-Files, The Crown)

John C. Reilly — Oscar nominee (Chicago, Step Brothers)

Judy Greer — Archer, 13 Going on 30, Ant-Man

Sean Gunn — Gilmore Girls, Guardians of the Galaxy

Michael Rooker — The Walking Dead, Guardians of the Galaxy

David Dastmalchian — The Dark Knight, The Suicide Squad

Professional Development

Internships at Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Public Theater, Kennedy Center, and more

Greece Summer Acting Intensive on the island of Hydra

Location

Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood — direct access to one of the country's most active professional theatre scenes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2027: 30 students

Class of 2026: 32 students

Expert Tips

Be your true self in your introduction video!

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App· Only option

Deadline

BFA Acting University Application DeadlineDec 1, 2026

Undergraduate · theatre.depaul.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Apply

School Website

Fee

Audition Fee

$65

Deadline

Prescreen/ApplicationDec 1, 2026

Callback RegistrationFeb 1, 2027

Auditions

Callback Audition (Chicago)

Jan 16 & 30, 2027Feb 1 & 13, 2027

Callback Audition (New York)Jan 23–24, 2027

Callback Audition (Los Angeles)Feb 6, 2027

Callback Audition (Virtual)Feb 12 & 19, 2027

Auditions And Interviews · theatre.depaul.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Monologues

Required Monologues

Two monologues, approximately 1 minute each

One monologue must be contemporary and written after 2000

The second selection may be contemporary or classical or heightened text

Material Selection

Contemporary material is encouraged for both pieces

Choose characters whose age and experience are close to your own

Selections must come from plays, not film or television scripts

Read the entire play to understand the context

Additional Materials

Slate Video

Slate with your name, character names, play titles, and playwright names

Slate video prompt: briefly answer what you are passionate about outside theatre or performance, or what you are deeply curious about and why

Headshot

Photograph used solely for identification; professional headshot not required

Transcript

Official high school transcript sent directly to Theatre School Admissions

Letters of Recommendation

Submit one letter of recommendation

How To Apply · theatre.depaul.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Requirements

One Prepared Monologue

Perform one of your two prescreen monologues in front of other students and faculty

May reuse a monologue from your prescreen video

Additional Materials

Callback Requirements

Complete questionnaire in Blue Demon Domain (required before registering for callback)

Dress in comfortable clothing appropriate for physical movement

Must be present for the entire callback session (approximately 3 hours)

Callback Format

Brief information session and faculty introductions

Sample class led by faculty (may include improv, acting exercises, vocal expression, or movement work)

Perform one prepared monologue

Assigned scene partner for open-text scene work under faculty direction

1-2 questions about your audition submission and collaboration process

How To Apply · theatre.depaul.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit audition fee, photo, and prescreen video through the Blue Demon Domain

University application via Common App or DePaul Transfer Application

Enrollment

Fall enrollment only — cannot apply undecided to The Theatre School

Fee waiver available for financial need — contact theatreadmissions@depaul.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Invitation-only — must pass prescreen to register

Complete questionnaire in Blue Demon Domain, then use callback email link to register for a session

Group format lasting approximately 3 hours — must stay for entire session

Dress in comfortable clothing appropriate for physical movement

• Session includes

Brief information session and faculty introductions

Sample class (improv, acting exercises, vocal expression, or movement work)

Perform one prepared monologue (may reuse from prescreen)

Open-text scene work with assigned partner under faculty direction

1–2 questions about your submission and collaboration process

Audition Expectations

Submit DePaul application naming BFA Acting as intended major by December 1

Within ~24 hours, gain access to the Blue Demon Domain

Upload audition fee, photograph, and prescreen video to the Blue Demon Domain by December 1

Callback decisions emailed on a rolling basis, typically within 2 weeks of receiving materials

Decisions

All applicants receive a final admission decision by mid-March

Three outcomes: admit, waitlist, or deny

Admitted students must respond by May 1

Scholarship Info

Theatre School Merit Scholarship

Every admitted Theatre School student receives a renewable merit-based scholarship ($15,000–$30,000)

Based on combination of academic record and audition/interview performance

Automatically considered — no separate scholarship application required

Renewable up to four years provided student remains in good standing

FAFSA not required for Theatre School Scholarship (but recommended for additional need-based aid)

Scholarship amount and renewal requirements communicated in admission decision letter

School Info

Snapshot

3.78

Avg GPA (W)

76%

Admit Rate

school-wide

68%

Grad Rate

14.1K

Enrollment

$69K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$51,303

Before aid

Average Net Price

$30,902

After aid

Undergraduate Tuition And Fees · depaul.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Midwest's oldest theatre conservatory — founded in 1925 as the Goodman School of Drama, celebrating 100 years of training

Highly selective: ~2,000 applicants compete for 134 spots across all Theatre School programs

Rooted in the Chicago theatre tradition — physicality, truth in action, collaboration, spontaneity

Training

First year builds a broad technical foundation; years 2–4 refine individual artistic voice and add advanced skills

Prepares actors for both stage and screen with conservatory-level rigor

Faculty of ~30 full-time and ~65 adjunct professional artists — all courses faculty-taught

Performance & Productions

30+ productions per year (~300 performances, ~28,000 audience members annually)

Three performance venues: 250-seat Watts Stage (thrust), 100-seat Healy Theatre (flexible black box), and studio spaces

Notable Alumni

Gillian Anderson — Emmy winner (The X-Files, The Crown)

John C. Reilly — Oscar nominee (Chicago, Step Brothers)

Judy Greer — Archer, 13 Going on 30, Ant-Man

Sean Gunn — Gilmore Girls, Guardians of the Galaxy

Michael Rooker — The Walking Dead, Guardians of the Galaxy

David Dastmalchian — The Dark Knight, The Suicide Squad

Professional Development

Internships at Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Public Theater, Kennedy Center, and more

Greece Summer Acting Intensive on the island of Hydra

Location

Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood — direct access to one of the country's most active professional theatre scenes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2027: 30 students

Class of 2026: 32 students

Updated Aug 26, 2:07 PM