Training
•Bullet: Highly selective program with small class sizes enabling close, individualized actor training for stage and film
•Bullet: Conservatory-style training within a liberal arts setting — students develop critical thinking skills beyond the performing arts
•Bullet: Undergraduate-only program: students are never taught by or compete with graduate students
•Bullet: Weekly master class in Monologue Presentation for Audition for all four years
•Bullet: Faculty/staff regularly attend ITF, SETC, USITT, College Audition Project, Illinois High School Theatre Festival, and Missouri Thespians State Conference
Performance & Productions
•Bullet: Active season featuring six high-caliber productions plus workshop and performance opportunities on stage and on camera
•Bullet: Multiple opportunities to act in original short films directed by faculty and submitted to film festivals throughout the US and internationally
•Bullet: Graduates receive a professional demo-reel showcasing diverse film roles
Notable Alumni
•Bullet: Richard Jenkins '69 — Emmy winner (Olive Kitteridge), two-time Oscar nominee (The Visitor, The Shape of Water), HBO's Six Feet Under •Bullet: Frankie R. Faison '71 — Tony nomination for original Broadway Fences; all four Hannibal Lecter films, HBO's The Wire •Bullet: Melanie Keller — BFA '97 — Jeff Award for Best Actress (2012); Chicago Fire (TV) •Bullet: Mariann Mayberry BFA '86 — Steppenwolf Theatre; originated role in August: Osage County on Broadway Professional Development
•Bullet: Annual Professional Senior Showcase features work on stage and film
•Bullet: Upper-level students assisted through the professional audition process
•Bullet: Study abroad opportunities at programs in London, UK and Dublin, Ireland
