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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Stage Management

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Training

Blend of training in management, design, and technical aspects of theatre, simulating professional stage management

Students participate in The Theatre School's 30+ productions per year as assistant stage manager or stage manager

Professional internship required; past sites include Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Metropolitan Opera

Program head Christine D. Freeburg — professional stage manager in Chicago and regionally for 25+ years

Brings guest lecturers from across the industry and opportunities to observe rehearsals at major Chicago theaters

Notable Alumni

Theatre School graduates work as stage managers at leading regional theatres, touring Broadway productions, opera companies, and in film and television across the country

Professional Development

Combined Bachelor's and Master's degree option available

Study abroad: Design/Technical students may spend fall quarter of final year at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama (University of London)

Located in Chicago, one of the country's most active theatre cities

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.78

Admit rate

76%

school-wide

Grad rate

68%

Enrollment

14.1K

Earnings

$69K

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 Oct 21, 8:03 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Blend of training in management, design, and technical aspects of theatre, simulating professional stage management

Students participate in The Theatre School's 30+ productions per year as assistant stage manager or stage manager

Professional internship required; past sites include Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Metropolitan Opera

Program head Christine D. Freeburg — professional stage manager in Chicago and regionally for 25+ years

Brings guest lecturers from across the industry and opportunities to observe rehearsals at major Chicago theaters

Notable Alumni

Theatre School graduates work as stage managers at leading regional theatres, touring Broadway productions, opera companies, and in film and television across the country

Professional Development

Combined Bachelor's and Master's degree option available

Study abroad: Design/Technical students may spend fall quarter of final year at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama (University of London)

Located in Chicago, one of the country's most active theatre cities

Program Highlights

Training

Blend of training in management, design, and technical aspects of theatre, simulating professional stage management

Students participate in The Theatre School's 30+ productions per year as assistant stage manager or stage manager

Professional internship required; past sites include Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Metropolitan Opera

Program head Christine D. Freeburg — professional stage manager in Chicago and regionally for 25+ years

Brings guest lecturers from across the industry and opportunities to observe rehearsals at major Chicago theaters

Notable Alumni

Theatre School graduates work as stage managers at leading regional theatres, touring Broadway productions, opera companies, and in film and television across the country

Professional Development

Combined Bachelor's and Master's degree option available

Study abroad: Design/Technical students may spend fall quarter of final year at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama (University of London)

Located in Chicago, one of the country's most active theatre cities

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App· Only option

Deadline

BFA Stage Management 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

Interview Fee

$65

Deadline

Prescreen/ApplicationDec 1, 2026

Auditions

Interview (Chicago or Virtual)Jan 15, 2027

In-Person Interview (Chicago)Jan 16 & 30, 2027

Interview RegistrationFeb 1, 2027

How To Apply · theatre.depaul.edu Auditions And Interviews · theatre.depaul.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Additional Materials

Resume

Letters of Recommendation (2 Required)

From a teacher, director, or employer — not family members or personal friends

Photograph

For identification purposes; does not need to be an official headshot

Stage Management Portfolio

Your portfolio must include examples of your stage management paperwork. Your paperwork should demonstrate your organizational and management skills and should include samples of the following: prompt book pages, blocking notes, call sheets, rehearsal reports, and tracking documents to help demonstrate your stage management practice. You may also choose to include additional items such as a video, artwork, or examples of other technical theatre involvement, but the focus of your portfolio should be on stage management.

Please also be aware that while the content of your portfolio is important, how you organize and present your work within the portfolio is equally important. We expect stage managers to be organized, thorough, and clear in how they represent themselves as artists and present their work.

Stage Management Essay

1 page · One statement, 2 guiding questions

What are the skills and qualities of a successful stage manager?
What is it about managing that you most enjoy?

Submit in Blue Demon Domain.

Prescreen Notes

Prescreen decisions are emailed by mid-December

How To Apply · theatre.depaul.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Must submit complete application and all supplemental materials by December 1 (earlier than most Theatre School programs)

Cannot register for interview until prescreen is passed

Enrollment

Cannot apply undecided to The Theatre School

Cannot submit more than one application at a time to DePaul University

What's The Process

Audition Process

Submit the completed DePaul application and all Stage Management materials by December 1

Materials include the $65 interview fee, resume, writing sample, Stage Management portfolio, transcript, two letters of recommendation, and any required test or English-proficiency scores

Applicants who pass the prescreen are prompted to register for an interview

Audition Expectations

Interview is the final required step for admission consideration

Interviews are offered in person in Chicago or virtually via Zoom

Fall 2027 interview days listed for BFA Stage Management: Friday, January 15 (Chicago or virtual); Saturday, January 16 (Chicago); Saturday, January 30 (Chicago)

Virtual interviews are available November 15 through February 20

Decisions

Admission decisions are released by mid-March with Theatre School Scholarship and financial aid information

Deadline to respond to an offer of admission is May 1

Scholarship Info

Theatre School Scholarship — automatically considered for all applicants who complete the audition or interview process; scholarship amount and requirements to maintain it are included in the decision letter

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.78

Admit rate

76%

school-wide

Grad rate

68%

Enrollment

14.1K

Earnings

$69K

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

Training

Blend of training in management, design, and technical aspects of theatre, simulating professional stage management

Students participate in The Theatre School's 30+ productions per year as assistant stage manager or stage manager

Professional internship required; past sites include Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Metropolitan Opera

Program head Christine D. Freeburg — professional stage manager in Chicago and regionally for 25+ years

Brings guest lecturers from across the industry and opportunities to observe rehearsals at major Chicago theaters

Notable Alumni

Theatre School graduates work as stage managers at leading regional theatres, touring Broadway productions, opera companies, and in film and television across the country

Professional Development

Combined Bachelor's and Master's degree option available

Study abroad: Design/Technical students may spend fall quarter of final year at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama (University of London)

Located in Chicago, one of the country's most active theatre cities

Updated Oct 21, 8:03 PM