The Theatre School :: FAQs

Undergraduate Conservatory

Graduate Conservatory

Special Programs

	Contact us Find us Site Map FAQs

Admissions Does The Theatre School have a Musical Theatre program? How competitive is admission to The Theatre School? What is the ratio of applicants to admitted students? What are the academic requirements for admission to The Theatre School? Do I have to submit separate applications for DePaul University and The Theatre School? Does The Theatre School have ‘Early Action’ or ‘Rolling’ Admissions? Can I transfer/apply for the Winter or Spring Quarters? Can I apply for more than one program at The Theatre School? Can I apply to The Theatre School and another college at DePaul University at the same time? What if I’m a current DePaul University student? Is the admissions process different for me? How do I apply for Talent or Academic scholarships? What do I need to do to apply for Need-Based Financial Aid? When will I receive an admissions decision? I hear you use a ‘waitlist’. How does that work? Can I transfer into The Theatre School? Visiting Campus Can I come and see the school? How do I schedule a visit? Do you offer Open House programs? Can I stay overnight on campus? Can I observe a class and/or speak to a faculty member? Can I see a show when I visit? Are there places to stay near campus? Where are you located and how do I get there? Scheduling an Audition or Interview Where and when can I audition/interview for The Theatre School? How can I make an audition/interview appointment? What do I need to prepare for my audition/interview? What should I wear for my audition/interview? Can I interview over the phone? Can I send a taped audition? What advice do you have about selecting a monologue? What should be included in a portfolio? Is there a benefit to auditioning/interviewing earlier or later in the season? Would auditioning in Chicago improve my chances of being admitted? Programs I hear that DePaul University is on a ‘quarter system’. What is that? As a Theatre School student can I double major in another area? Can I minor in theatre? Can I minor in another area while in a BFA program at The Theatre School? What is the difference between a BFA and a BA? What kind/amount of non-theatre course work would I be required to take as a Theatre School student? Do you cast freshmen (first year) actors in productions? How can I audition for The Theatre School’s productions? What theatre spaces would I get to work in? Can I do an internship while at school? Are there opportunities to study abroad? What are some other schools with similar programs? I hear you ‘cut’ Acting students. How does the Invitation to Return or ‘Cut’ policy work? Student Life Will I be safe going to school in a big city? How do I get around the city? Will I be required to live on campus? What are the dorms like? Are theatre students housed together? How much interaction will I get to have with students outside of The Theatre School? What are the faculty like? What resources are available to students for academic guidance? What is the Chicago theatre community like? Because DePaul University is a Catholic institution, what effect does that have on students of other faiths? Admissions Does The Theatre School have a Musical Theatre program? We do not offer a program that focuses exclusively in Musical Theatre. Our Acting program includes some course work in musical theatre and we generally do a few musicals as a part of our production season each year. Some of our students who have a specific interest in musical theatre take private voice or dance lessons with The Theatre School faculty or with one of the many teachers or studios in the city. Back to FAQs How competitive is admission to The Theatre School? Because of the conservatory nature of our training, we have strict capacities for each program which makes admission highly competitive. The admission rate (those admitted versus the number who apply) depends on the major to which you are applying but in general The Theatre School has an average 18% admissions rate. Back to FAQs What is the ratio of applicants to admitted students? The ratio varies from program to program. We have about 1100 applicants each year and we accept a total of 116 incoming students. Different programs have different ratios. For example, we have about 700 applicants each year to the BFA Acting program and accept 42. Most Design/Technical areas have capacities of about 4 or 5 per program. The Theatre Studies department (including dramaturgy/criticism, playwriting, theatre arts and theatre management) has a combined total incoming class of 28. Back to FAQs What are the academic requirements for admission to The Theatre School? Undergraduate applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA and either an ACT score of 20 or SAT score of 970 (combined critical reading and math) respectively. For academic scholarship consideration undergraduate applicants must have at least a 3.5 GPA and either an ACT score of 27 or SAT score of 1220 (combined critical reading and math subscores). Transfer students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA at their previous college or university. Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university (or on track for conferral prior to entering The Theatre School) with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The GRE is not required for admission but may strengthen application consideration if your undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0. Back to FAQs Do I have to submit separate applications for DePaul University and The Theatre School? No. Simply fill out the online or hard copy application to DePaul University. Send all of your application requirements and supplementary materials directly to The Theatre School Admissions Office. You will receive your decision directly from The Theatre School. How to Apply application checklists for each major are available on our website The online application is available at: http://www.depaul.edu/apply Back to FAQs Does The Theatre School have ‘Early Action’ or ‘Rolling’ Admissions? In order to ensure every applicant receives full consideration we wait until we have completed all auditions and interviews before we make any admissions decisions. Decision letters are sent at the same time for all programs and are mailed in mid-March. Back to FAQs Can I transfer/apply for the Winter or Spring Quarters? All of The Theatre School programs admit students for the Fall quarter only. Back to FAQs Can I apply for more than one program at The Theatre School? You may apply to only one major in The Theatre School. It is not possible to apply for multiple degrees or majors at the same time. Back to FAQs Can I apply to The Theatre School and another college at DePaul University at the same time? You cannot have more than one active application to DePaul. If you are considering applying to The Theatre School and another college at DePaul you need to complete the application (and audition or interview) process with The Theatre School first. If you do not get accepted into your selected program at The Theatre School you will be given the opportunity to be reconsidered for another college within DePaul University at that time. You will still receive full consideration for admission, scholarships and housing and will not be penalized for having had to wait for our decision. Reconsideration is not available for the School of Music; if you are interested in applying to both The Theatre School and School of Music, please contact us to explore your options. Back to FAQs What if I’m a current DePaul University student? Is the admissions process different for me? As a current DePaul University student you do not need to reapply to DePaul University. You simply need to provide The Theatre School Admissions Office any additional application materials (i.e. letters of recommendation, writing samples) and complete an audition or interview. You will receive a decision letter at the same time as all other applicants. If you are accepted you will be given instructions on how to initiate an inter-college transfer. It is important to keep in mind that in most situations our BFA programs are 4-year programs regardless of transfer status. Back to FAQs How do I apply for Talent or Academic scholarships? By auditioning or interviewing you are automatically considered for these scholarships. If you receive one or both of these scholarships, the information about the scholarship will be included in your decision letter. Back to FAQs What do I need to do to apply for Need-Based Financial Aid? The only financial aid application that DePaul University requires is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The results of your FAFSA are most important in the determination of your eligibility for financial assistance. FAFSA's may be completed and submitted electronically using FAFSA on the Web, www.fafsa.ed.gov. (This is a much faster and more convenient process than filing by mail.) If you complete a paper FAFSA, be sure to write "DePaul University" and our school code, "001671", in the list of schools.The FAFSA is available from We suggest that you complete the FAFSA by February 15 to ensure that you receive your financial aid information as quickly as possible after you have been admitted. Back to FAQs When will I receive an admissions decision? We mail all of our decision letters in the middle of March. Admissions decisions are made in writing and sent through the mail. Admissions decisions cannot be discussed over the phone or email. Back to FAQs I hear you use a ‘waitlist’. How does that work? Because all of our programs have strict capacities we utilize a waitlist in order to ensure that each incoming class meets our capacity . As admitted students accept or decline our offers of admission, we admit students from the waitlist to fill the slots that have become vacant. We use our waitlist every year to fill our class. Students who receive a waitlist offer have an excellent chance of being admitted. Waitlisted applicants receive a final decision letter – either offering admission or informing them that the class has been finalized. Back to FAQs Can I transfer into The Theatre School? Because of the conservatory structure of The Theatre School and our progression-based curriculum, most undergraduate transfer applicants who are admitted to the school are admitted to a four-year program, even if the applicant has previous college credit. Transfer credit will be given for any liberal studies (academic) courses that meet transfer requirements but will not shorten the four-year training process of The Theatre School. In some rare instances, transfer applicants to BFA design, technical or theatre studies majors may be admitted into the second year of the training process if the applicant’s previous college credits are similar enough to first-year training at The Theatre School. That determination cannot be made until after the admission interview and a review of official transcripts from all previous colleges. Transfer applicants to the BFA Acting program and all three MFA programs are never admitted with a shortened completion plan. Back to FAQs Visiting Campus Can I come and see the school? How do I schedule a visit? Yes. To schedule a visit to The Theatre School you can call The Theatre School Admissions Office at (773)325-7999. Generally, we schedule visits for 10am or 2pm Monday through Friday. Visits are scheduled by major on a first come, first served basis. At the campus visit, you will meet with an admissions counselor, take a tour of The Theatre School with a current student, and tour the rest of the Lincoln Park Campus. Back to FAQs Do you offer Open House programs? Yes. On two weekends (one in November and one in January) we offer a program for high school seniors called ‘Theatre Debut DePaul’. This is a two-day program of special events, workshops, Q&A sessions, overnight stays on campus and the opportunity to audition or interview for admission to the program. This allows applicants to make one trip to Chicago to both visit campus and complete their audition or interview. When announced, the dates for ‘Theatre Debut DePaul’ can be found at: http://www.depaul.edu/about/visit_depaul/index.asp Back to FAQs Can I stay overnight on campus? Yes. By calling The Theatre School Admissions Office at (773)325-7999 you can arrange on campus overnight stay. Overnight stays are generally available while classes are in session (September through May, excluding breaks). Prospective students are paired with Theatre School students and spend a night in the dorms. Unfortunately, parent housing is not available. Back to FAQs Can I observe a class and/or speak to a faculty member? Unfortunately we generally cannot allow prospective students to observe classes and visit with individual faculty members. The very personal nature of the work and the small class size means that visitors could compromise the experience of current students. Instead we offer individualized appointments with theatre-specific admissions counselors, visits with current students, and special programs like ‘Theatre Debut DePaul’ where students can meet and work with the faculty in workshop-style classes. Back to FAQs Can I see a show when I visit? Yes! Just call The Theatre School Admissions Office at (773)325-7999 and let us know when you’re coming. We can reserve complimentary tickets (as available) for you and any family or friends that might also be visiting. Our current production calendar can be found at: http://theatreschool.depaul.edu/showmain.php Back to FAQs Are there places to stay near campus? There are many places to stay near campus both in Lincoln Park and in the Loop. Specific hotels can be found here: http://www.depaul.edu/placestostay Back to FAQs Where are you located and how do I get there? The Theatre School is located in the heart of Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Our address is 2135 N. Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614. We are located one-half block south of Webster Ave on Kenmore. For detailed directions, please visit: http://theatreschool.depaul.edu/find_us.php#theatreschool Back to FAQs Scheduling an Audition or Interview Where and when can I audition/interview for The Theatre School? The Theatre School holds auditions/interviews on several dates throughout the country from November through February annually. On campus auditions/interviews are held at The Theatre School on select Saturdays. Regional auditions/interviews are held in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Denver, and Las Vegas. The exact date and location for auditions/interviews in each city is subject to change from year to year. Dates and locations for each application year are announced on our website in September. Back to FAQs How can I make an audition/interview appointment? Auditions and interviews can be scheduled on our website beginning in September of each application year. Using the online scheduler, you can see which days and locations are available and register for your appointment. Please be aware that some dates fill up more quickly than others and space is limited. If you have any questions or trouble registering online, you can call The Theatre School Admissions Office at (773)325-7999. Back to FAQs What do I need to prepare for my audition/interview? Each program has specific requirements for the audition or interview. The links below will guide you to the ‘How to Apply’ checklist for the program you are interested in: BFA Acting Costume Design Costume Technology Dramaturgy/Criticism Lighting Design Sound Design Playwriting Scenic Design Stage Management Theatre Arts Theatre Management Theatre Technology MFA Acting MFA Arts Leadership MFA Directing Back to FAQs What should I wear for my audition/interview? Those interviewing should feel free to wear what makes you comfortable. For acting auditions we encourage you to wear comfortable clothing appropriate for physical activity throughout the audition. However, if you feel the need to wear other different clothing for your monologue and for the class portion of the audition there will be time provided to make the change. Back to FAQs Can I interview over the phone? We encourage all students to visit The Theatre School and interview in person. We also provide regional interview opportunities for students who may not be able to travel to Chicago. However, if one of these options is not possible, we are happy to schedule a phone or videointerview. Back to FAQs Can I send a taped audition? We do not accept taped auditions or interviews. Back to FAQs What advice do you have about selecting a monologue? Please review the ‘How to Apply’ checklist for details about monologue selection. They available at the following links: BFA Acting MFA Acting MFA Directing Back to FAQs What should be included in a portfolio? The main purpose of your portfolio is to spark discussion between yourself and the audition committee about where you want your education to go and what you have achieved in your work so far. The ‘How to Apply’ checklist links below will offer more specific requirements for each major: Costume Design Costume Technology Dramaturgy/Criticism Lighting Design Sound Design Playwriting Scenic Design Stage Management Theatre Arts Theatre Management Theatre Technology MFA Directing Back to FAQs Is there a benefit to auditioning/interviewing earlier or later in the season? The Theatre School does not have an early action admissions program or rolling admissions, meaning that each student is given equal consideration for the program regardless of where and when s/he auditions/interviews. In order to allow each applicant the same amount of consideration, decision letters are sent out mid-March each year after all on-campus and regional auditions/interviews have been completed. Back to FAQs Would auditioning in Chicago improve my chances of being admitted? The audition process is the same regardless of the audition location and equal consideration is given to students auditioning in every regional location. The only advantage to auditioning on campus is the perspective gained by the auditionee regarding DePaul’s facilities, campus and student life, however we offer many ways to visit campus that are not in conjunction with the auditions/interviews. To Schedule a campus visit call The Theatre School Admissions Office at (773)325-7999. Back to FAQs Programs I hear that DePaul University is on a ‘quarter system’. What is that? Rather than a semester schedule, DePaul University uses a quarter system. This means that students have a Fall, Winter, and Spring set of classes that each last 10 weeks. The Theatre School also uses time during the winter and spring breaks to rehearse productions for the coming quarter. This means that Theatre School students potentially will not have the same breaks as the rest of the university community. However, The Theatre School has no programming or classes during the summer break. More information about our academic calendar can be found at: http://oaa.depaul.edu/what/calendar.jsp Back to FAQs As a Theatre School student can I double major in another area? Students in some of our programs do find ways to double major or minor in another area. For example, our BFA in Theatre Arts is very flexible, and students in this program have found ways to pursue studies outside of The Theatre School. Other programs, such as our BFA in Acting, are very rigidly structured and do not offer students that flexibility. In all cases, minors or double majors require approval of the student’s academic advisor. Back to FAQs Can I minor in theatre? Yes. The Theatre School offers a minor in Theatre Studies for students majoring in other programs at DePaul University. More information can be found at: http://theatreschool.depaul.edu/undergraduate_application_theatre_studies_minor.php. Back to FAQs Can I minor in another area while in a BFA program at The Theatre School? Yes, it is possible for a student to major in a program in The Theatre School and minor in something else. However, just like double majoring, the course load combined with certain theatre majors can be very difficult and may not always be recommended or available. Students should consult with their academic advisor when considering an minor. Back to FAQs What is the difference between a BFA and a BA? Generally speaking, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program is comprised of structured, intensive, and focused conservatory training. Students must audition or interview for admission and typically receive continual evaluation and review by the faculty. Students, however, still need to fulfill liberal studies requirements for the completion of their degree, however the number of liberal studies requirements are typically smaller in a BFA program. All programs at The Theatre School are BFA degrees. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) program is for students who are committed to studying theatre and the performing arts, but may want to build a broader range of theatre skills or are interested in pursuing different academic studies in addition to theatre. The Theatre School does not offer a BA program. Our BFA in Theatre Arts is the most similar program to a BA that we offer. Back to FAQs What kind/amount of non-theatre course work would I be required to take as a Theatre School student? All Theatre School students must complete Liberal Studies requirements in order to receive their degree. These classes are designed to offer students a broad range of academic experiences and create a well rounded undergraduate experience. Details about these requirements can be found at: http://theatreschool.depaul.edu/undergraduate_admissions_liberal_studies.php Back to FAQs Do you cast freshmen (first year) actors in productions? Because the focus of the first year of training is on personal discovery and expanding the actors access to her/his imagination we do not cast our actors in a production in their first year. Instead, actors work on an intensive, process-focused exploration of the craft of acting while working on production crews for shows in our season. Acting students then receive 9 guaranteed casting assignments over the final three years of the program. Back to FAQs How can I audition for The Theatre School’s productions? Only BFA and MFA Acting majors are eligible to be cast in productions at The Theatre School. These productions are graded coursework and are critiqued by a panel of the faculty. Back to FAQs What theatre spaces would I get to work in? The Theatre School owns the Merle Reskin Theatre, a 1,325 seat Broadway-style proscenium theatre that is located in downtown Chicago. This beautiful historic space is in Chicago’s loop and near the busy commercial theatre district. Theatre School students also work in professional theatre spaces throughout Chicago including the Athenaeum Theatre and Greenhouse Theater Center. Additional workshop productions are performed in our classroom black box space and other classroom spaces in The Theatre School building. Back to FAQs Can I do an internship while at school? Depending on your major, internship opportunities may be available or even required. Internships can be arranged by you and in collaboration with your advisor could be locally in Chicago or in another city or state. The requirements of the BFA Acting program make an internship during the school year impossible. Back to FAQs Are there opportunities to study abroad? DePaul University offers a number of study abroad programs. These programs are listed at: http://studyabroad.depaul.edu Students interested in doing some of their course work as a part of one of these programs should consult with their academic advisor about coordinating these studies. In some cases (the BFA Acting program for example) the decision to study abroad will delay graduation. In other cases it may be possible to spend the time abroad and still graduate at the end of four years. Back to FAQs What are some other schools with similar programs? Every program is different. The unique combination of location, faculty, curriculum, and fellow students make one to one comparisons challenging. We always encourage prospective students to ask us lots of questions, visit campus if possible, and discover if The Theatre School feels like a fit for you. Back to FAQs I hear you ‘cut’ Acting students. How does the Invitation to Return or ‘Cut’ policy work? Each year students receive personalized quarterly evaluation and feedback from the faculty. Student evaluations are based on discipline, collaboration, professional potential, and progress in the program. Most programs expect to graduate the same number of students that are admitted into each class. The BFA Acting program is the only one with a mandatory decrease in students for the second year. The BFA Acting program is divided into two phases – the Probationary Phase (first year) and Production Phase (second, third and fourth years). First year acting students receive an Invitation to Return into the Production Phase of the program. The first year of the acting program has a capacity of 42 students. At the end of the first year, 26 students receive an Invitation to Return into the Production Phase. Students not invited to return that are in otherwise good academic standing can transfer into another college at DePaul University. A transfer into another Theatre School major may also be possible through consultation with an advisor. Back to FAQs Student Life Will I be safe going to school in a big city? In any city there are precautions to be taken. Being on campus surrounded by fellow students it is easy to feel safer than one may actually be. However, as long as a student is aware of their surroundings, Lincoln Park and Chicago in general can be very safe. As an extra safety precaution, DePaul Public Safety is available to escort students from one campus building to another between 6pm and 6am. There are also Emergency Call Boxes spread across campus that immediately contact DePaul Public Safety. The Theatre School also provides free bus service to and from off-site theatre spaces before and after rehearsals and performances. Additionally, The Theatre School and The Theatre School Annex both operate on a code entry system during off hours to prevent unauthorized entry. Any crime reported in the neighborhood around DePaul University is immediately posted as an Alert in Campus buildings. For more information about DePaul University’s Public Safety initiatives please visit: http://publicsafety.depaul.edu/ Back to FAQs How do I get around the city? Walking is the most common form of transportation. As a full-time student you also receive a CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) U-Pass that is good for unlimited rides on the “El” (Chicago’s elevated subway system) and all CTA buses while classes are in session. The “El” is easy to navigate and is conveniently located near DePaul University’s Lincoln Park and Loop campuses. Chicago has many streets with bike-only lanes, therefore many students also bike or rollerblade. Very few students keep cars on campus however campus parking permits are available for an additional fee. Back to FAQs Will I be required to live on campus? No. DePaul University does not require that freshman or other incoming students live on campus. However, The Theatre School does guarantee housing for first year theatre students. You can find out more information about living on campus at: http://housing.depaul.edu Back to FAQs What are the dorms like? The dorms vary from traditional dorm style, suite style, to apartment living. There can be six people living in an apartment, or someone can be in a single room. Each dorm is secured by a card access system and all have similar amenities. For more information, please visit http://housing.depaul.edu. Back to FAQs Are theatre students housed together? The Theatre School students receive their housing assignment as part of the regular DePaul housing process. There is not a theatre-specific or arts-specific residence hall. Being part of the larger DePaul on campus resident community is one way our students get to know other students outside of The Theatre School community. Sometimes theatre students may have another theatre student as a roommate though not necessarily someone in your same program. An actor may be placed with a set designer or a stage manager can be roomed with a theatre arts major, etc. A variety of roommates can provide an opportunity to meet and know the larger DePaul University community. Back to FAQs How much interaction will I get to have with students outside of The Theatre School? Students can have as much interaction with students outside of The Theatre School as they choose. Of course, many of your classes are with other theatre students, but Liberal Studies classes include students from many other programs. In addition, students can take other elective courses or take part in outside activities that are not a part of The Theatre School. Back to FAQs What are the faculty like? The Theatre School’s faculty is made up of professional artists and educators from a variety of backgrounds and expertise. Some have spent a lifetime training the next generation of artists. Others are professionals teaching a single class in their area of expertise. All understand the intense nature of the demands of a conservatory training program and are dedicated to individual and challenging training. The Theatre School employs 28 full-time tenure-track faculty and around 50 adjunct or part-time faculty. All of The Theatre School’s courses are faculty taught. More information about individual faculty members is available at: http://theatreschool.depaul.edu/people.php Back to FAQs What resources are available to students for academic guidance? Each student is assigned an academic advisor to assist them in course selections and degree progress. Back to FAQs What is the Chicago theatre community like? Ranging from storefront theatre to the largest of Broadway touring houses, Chicago’s theatre community is as diverse as DePaul University itself. Often, there are over 100 shows playing at a time. Victory Gardens, The Apollo Theatre, Steppenwolf, and Emerald City Theatre are literally only blocks away from campus. The Goodman Theatre, Chicago Theatre, and Cadillac Palace Theatre are only a few “El” stops away. Because of our professional faculty, many working alumni and reputation in the community, Theatre School students are often invited for free or discounted performances of a variety of shows. Visit www.chicagoplays.com for more information. Back to FAQs Because DePaul University is a Catholic institution, what effect does that have on students of other faiths? Guided by its Vincentian heritage of inclusion and compassion, DePaul University celebrates all faiths. There are a variety of religious celebrations on campus each week. In addition, The Theatre School selects productions and scripts solely based on their artistic merit and potential educational value. DePaul University does not discriminate on the basis of any religion, race, or sexual orientation. There is more information about our diversity programming at: http://www.depaul.edu/about/diversity/index.asp Back to FAQs