Offered in: Chicago

The BFA in Acting is a pre-professional degree program designed to develop a strong and flexible foundation in the skills required for a career in stage, film, and television acting. The program provides intensive training in a range of acting pedagogies. Acting technique is grounded in Konstantin Stanislavski’s system and draws on the teachings of Michael Chekhov, Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, and Anne Bogart and Tina Landau (Viewpoints), among others.

Students develop vocal technique through the Voice and Speech sequence and cultivate physical awareness through movement and laboratory classes. Training in the first two years establishes foundational skills that are further developed through advanced coursework in Shakespeare and heightened language, on-camera acting, period styles, circus arts, stage combat, and voiceover.

Acting majors also receive training in dance and private instruction in singing voice. In addition to performing in Conservatory productions, students may pursue opportunities with many of Chicago’s professional theatres.

Throughout the curriculum, the program emphasizes social awareness and artistic responsibility. Students examine how social and cultural frameworks shape identity and performance and are encouraged to consider how their work as artists can contribute to the broader cultural conversation.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in the Acting major should have prior experience and a strong interest in acting and performance. Formal training or coursework in the performing arts is beneficial but not required.

Please consult the CCPA Admission and Audition Information web page for the BFA in Acting audition requirements.

Residency Requirement

A student must complete at least 60 credit hours at Roosevelt University

Grade Requirement

A student must earn at least C- in all Theatre Conservatory coursework and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all major subject area coursework, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 across all core, elective, and general education courses.

Requirements

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Theatre Electives should be chosen in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor, and may not include TVOI applied lessons.

Your degree map is a general guide outlining the recommended courses to complete each term along the academic pathway to your degree. It reflects the most current scheduling information provided by your academic program.

Degree maps are reviewed annually and updated as scheduling patterns evolve. Students who remain continuously enrolled retain the degree requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment.

Students should work closely with their Academic Advisor to understand curriculum requirements and course sequencing, as individual academic plans may vary.