Theatre Degree BA Columbia College Chicago

The Student Experience

The Theatre program is for leaders who want to make theatre happen. You’ll gain a strong foundation in theatre history and theory and develop a professional focus in one of three areas. Through close faculty mentorship and hands-on practice, you’ll prepare for a career in the theatre industry and build a portfolio of professional-quality work.

Develop leadership skills through practiceOur practice-based curriculum is designed to give you experience leading teams and working through real challenges with faculty mentors. Great leaders in theatre are well-rounded. The program brings three key leadership roles together in practice: the writer, the director, and the stage manager.
Explore concentrations
You’ll choose a concentration in your second year of study. No matter which concentration you choose, you’ll start with foundational courses to build context for your artistic practice

a theatre directing student works behind the scenes

Concentrations

Directing

Develop strong leadership and collaborative skills as you guide teams of actors, designers, and technicians and work within budgets to stage theatrical productions.

At least three chances to direct productions, starting with a scene, then a 20-minute one-act play, and finally a full 90-minute production
Develop a professional portfolio of work and take a business course that will provide an overview of directing in all theatre contexts, from professional shows to schools to community engagement.

Playwriting

Learn how to create unique stories and captivating characters for the stage.
Write short scenes, move on to one-act plays, and full-length plays. In the classroom, your scripts will
Submit your scripts to be performed in staged readings and workshop productions for live audiences, which culminates with the fully produced Playwriting Senior Showcase.

Stage Management

Conduct every detail of a production, from casting to rehearsing to running the show.
Coordinate schedules, run rehearsals, track props and blocking, and collaborate closely with directors.
Learn industry standards for paperwork and show calling.
Learn to create a safe, comfortable environment for the entire cast and crew on a number of shows, including large-scale musicals, dance productions, one-acts, and devised theatre.
Watch professional stage managers direct rehearsals and call shows at theaters like Chicago Shakespeare, Steppenwolf, Lyric Opera, and Joffrey Ballet.

Theatre Studies

Explore the scholarly study of theatre.
Emphasis on theatre history and cultural diversity; analysis of dramatic literature; and theatre and performance theory.
Students are prepared to work in the theatre industry as dramaturgs and literary managers; teach theatre as practitioners and scholars; work in arts administration and education; or pursue an MFA or MA/PhD program.

Career Readiness

Through close faculty mentorship and hands-on practice, you’ll prepare for a career in the theatre industry and build a portfolio of professional-quality work.

Real-world experience
Internships and preprofessional experiences are essential for emerging leaders in the theatre world. An internship will immerse you in a professional theater, expand your experience in the industry, and show you firsthand how professional directors, playwrights, and stage managers lead teams. We host two internship fairs each academic year, with attendees ranging from representatives of prominent theaters like Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, and the Goodman to those of small storefronts.
Chicago: a theatre hub
Chicago is one of the greatest theatre cities in the world. You’ll immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant theatre scene and see productions on a regular basis. Living in Chicago means you’ll have countless opportunities to see new work, staged readings, and network with professional directors and producers. Our faculty members have deep ties in the industry and help students find work opportunities.

Alumni Spotlight

Rose Hamill ’16

Stage Manager, The Factory Theatre

School of Theatre and DanceTheatre Bachelor's Degree

About the Theatre Major