Program Overview

Bachelor's in Acting, BFA

Program Overview

The Bachelor's in Acting, BFA program at the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) provides students with intensive training in several techniques, including Stanislavski-based work, viewpoints, period styles, on-camera technique, circus arts, stage combat, and Linklater voice and body technique. Acting Majors also receive dance and voice lessons training as part of their curriculum.

Real-world Experience

The Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) consists of 200 undergraduate students, divided between our Acting, Musical Theatre, and Musical Theatre: Dance. Students are guaranteed onstage performance credit while they are at CCPA — more time onstage means more training for your future career in the theatre.

Exceptional Faculty

Our faculty is comprised of full-time professors as well as many active theatre professionals who lend their unique talents and expertise to the Conservatory. At CCPA, our students learn from and work alongside Chicago's very best, and a low student/faculty ratio results in focused study tailored to each student's needs.

Live in a Global Theatre Capital

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, CCPA is just steps away from Chicago's bustling theatre district and the Tony award-winning Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre — and our students have graced the stages of them all.

Notable Alumni

• Teddy Gales – National Tour: SpongeBob
• James Romney – Broadway: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
• Ilse Zacharias Rivera – Steppenwolf: Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Admission Info

• Location: Chicago
• Start Term: Fall

Students interested in the Acting major should already have a strong background and interest in acting. Prior performing arts education/coursework is a plus but not required.

Sample Courses

• Performing Shakespeare
• Voice & Speech for the Actor
• Stage Combat
• Acting on Camera
• Audition and Theatre Business

Career Opportunities

Upperclassmen in good standing are allowed to audition for productions outside of CCPA, adding valuable professional credits to their resumes prior to graduation.

Meet Your Faculty

• Chuck Coyl: Adjunct Faculty, Stage Combat
• Derek Barham: Adjunct Faculty, Acting for Musical Stage, Directing
• Becky Curl: Adjunct Faculty, Technical Theatre: Makeup
• Aly Easton: Adjunct Faculty
• Gretchen Eng: Adjunct Faculty, Improvisation
• Charles Gardner: Adjunct Faculty, Acting on Camera
• Nadine Gomes: Teaching Professor of Musical Theatre, Interim Chair of the Theatre Conservatory
• Susan Gosdick: Adjunct Faculty, Dialects
• Jim Iorio: Associate Professor of Theatre, Co-Chair of the Interdisciplinary Conservatory, Program Director - Master of Arts in Theatre Directing
• Christopher Jones: Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor of Theatre
• Janelle Jones: Adjunct Faculty, Acting on Camera
• Elise Kauzlaric: Adjunct Faculty
• Tammy Mader: Associate Teaching Professor of Musical Theatre, Program Director of Musical Theatre Dance
• Isaac Mandel: Adjunct Faculty
• Max Maxin: Lighting Designer
• Tommy Novak: Assistant Teaching Professor of Musical Theatre
• Ashley Pribyl: Assistant Professor of Music & Theatre History
• Dan Roberts: Adjunct Faculty, Circus Arts
• Roell Schmidt: Adjunct Faculty
• Rebecca Schorsch: Teaching Professor of Voice, Program Director of Classical Voice, Program Director of Musical Theatre
• Steve Scott: Adjunct Faculty
• Tim Stadler: Director of Production
• Nick Sula: Assistant Teaching Professor of Musical Theatre, Coordinator of Music for Musical Theatre
• Barbara Zahora: Chair of Theatre Conservatory, Associate Professor of Theatre