Visual & Performing Arts

Program Description

Roosevelt University

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The Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) at Roosevelt University provides training and education within the context of a vibrant university in a world-class city. It is a place where the energies of one discipline spill over to enliven other artistic endeavors and where students come to enhance their unique talents and polish them to perfection. At CCPA, students experience a professional program of study with a faculty that is committed to a comprehensive theater education.

Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University is well situated on the top floors of the historic landmark Auditorium Building, designed by world-famous architects Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan. The building includes the 3,800-seat Auditorium Theatre, renowned for its beauty and exquisite acoustics. Located on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Congress Parkway, this edifice is now an integral part of the “educational corridor” of more than 50,000 students enrolled in various institutions in the famous downtown Loop. Across the street are Pritzker Music Pavilion of Millennium Park, the magnificent Buckingham Fountain, and the sparkling beauty of Lake Michigan. The new state-of-the-art residence hall, the University Center of Chicago, is located just one block away on the corner of State Street and Congress Parkway.

Within walking distance are many of the city’s major cultural institutions, including the Goodman, Chicago, Oriental, and Cadillac theaters; Symphony Center, home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; the Lyric Opera, the Jazz Showcase; the Art Institute; the Field Museum of Natural History; and the Magnificent Mile of shops and galleries. This ideal location provides opportunities for learning from some of the most accomplished actors in Chicago, as well as interning with some of the literally hundreds of small theater companies in the city.

Faculty

 Joel G. Fink (Director of the Theatre Conservatory/Associate Dean); Christine Adaire (Assistant Professor of Theatre); June Compton (Associate Professor of Theatre); Adrian Danzig (Assistant Professor of Theatre); Ray Frewen (Assistant Professor of Theatre); Sean Ryan Kelley (Associate Professor of Theatre); Stephen Kruse (Technical Director); Michael Lasswell (Instructor of Theatre); Kestutis Nakas (Associate Professor of Theatre); Luis Perez (Assistant Professor of Theatre); Candace Taylor (Assistant Professor of Theatre); and Scott Ziemba (Production Coordinator).

Part-time professional faculty: Jane Alderman; Angela Bonacasa; Belinda Bremmer; Philip Caldwell; Sharon Carlson; Lou Conte Dance Studio Staff; Chuck Coyl; Tom Creamer; Joseph Drummond; Nadine Gomez; Matt Harding; Catherine Head; Ted Hoerl; Patrick Holland; Damon Kiely; Molly McGrath; Jerry Proffit; Meera Sanghani; Steve Scott; Carin Silkaitis; Jana Stauffer; and Dan Stetzel. There are additional voice faculty members for private voice lessons.

Student Performance Opportunities

 There are fourteen to sixteen productions each year. Freshmen present showcases in their first year, auditioning with the entire conservatory thereafter. As an integral part of students’ training, the Theatre Conservatory encourages advanced students to work with professional theater companies through specially arranged internships. In the past two years, theaters have included: The Goodman Theatre; Steppenwolf Theatre Company; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Lookingglass Theatre, and Northlight Theatre. Students have interned in the areas of acting, directing, stage and arts management, design, theater technology, business and marketing, public relations, and development/front of house.

Programs and Additional Information

 Undergraduate degree programs include the B.F.A. in acting and B.F.A. in musical theatre. Graduate degree programs include the M.F.A. in acting and M.A. Fast Track in directing (summer program designed for high school theater teachers).

A 320-bed residence hall is connected to the main building, and a new eighteen-story facility opened in fall 2004.

Application Procedures

Deadline--freshmen and transfers: January 15. Notification date--freshmen and transfers: April 1. Required: essay, high school transcript, college transcript(s) for transfer students, minimum 2.0 high school GPA, 3 letters of recommendation, interview, audition, SAT or ACT test scores, minimum 2.0 college GPA for transfer students. Recommended: minimum 3.0 high school GPA. Auditions held 9 times on campus and off campus in Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Las Vegas, NV.

Contact

Heather McCowen, Assistant Dean for Enrollment and Student Services, Roosevelt University, 430 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60605; 312-341-3789, fax: 312-341-6358.