Bachelor of Arts: Theatre
Our comprehensive training provides classes in all aspects of production (acting, directing, playwriting and design), as well as those courses necessary to provide a foundation for the advanced study of theatre (including History of Theater, Contemporary Drama, Scene Analysis and Shakespeare). We create artists who are ready to work in the theater the moment they graduate from CUC.We are firmly committed to immersing our students in the most recent developments in the professional theater, as well as providing a firm grounding in the classics. We get our students working off-campus as soon as possible to prepare them for the unique challenges facing theater today.
Program Overview
At Concordia University Chicago, you learn by doing. You will be required to take entry level acting, directing and stagecraft. From there, you select areas of focus that allow you to take leadership roles in our acclaimed A.C.T. (Artists of Concordia Theatre) Board, where students lead one of eight departments.
Moreover, our students have the opportunity to take internships in the greater Chicagoland area. Your learning experience will be greatly enhanced by nationally recognized faculty who consistently work in Chicago’s professional theatre company and abroad.
General Course Information
Our courses allow you to study the many aspects of theater to really determine your areas of interest. If you major in theatre at Concordia-Chicago, you will take required courses in theatre production, acting, directing, technical theatre, oral interpretation of literature among others.
You may choose electives courses focusing on Shakespeare, musicals, directing, advanced communication and more. Through these courses you will be able to pursue topics of interest and broaden your theatre experience. You may choose to minor in theatre. A theatre minor includes courses such as theatre history, directing, acting and oral interpretation of literature. You will also choose the remaining courses from many theatre electives.
For more information about required courses and course descriptions, visit our online catalog pages.
Opportunities
On campus you will have the opportunity to act and/or assist with all levels of our productions. You’re expected to be involved in the many productions sponsored by A.C.T. (Artists of Concordia Theatre). It’s open to the entire University community and offers several productions each year, including mainstage productions, musicals and student-directed one act plays.
Ranked as one of the top three cities in the nation for theatre, Chicago boasts a thriving theatre community—from numerous storefront theatre companies to renowned ones such as Steppenwolf, Goodman and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. CUC takes advantage of these productions for its courses. For example, the contemporary theatre class attends professional theatrical productions and builds classroom activities around the plays. Our proximity to Chicago also provides endless opportunities for internships of all kinds.