Acting (MFA) at DePaul University

The Theatre School’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Acting program is highly truthful, expressive, and physical. Informed by our Chicago roots, we prepare actors to work on stage and screen all over the world.

Students learn from a distinguished faculty of working professionals who possess a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise. Our faculty have developed a powerful curricula that mine a diversity of ideas from Stanislavski, Spolin, Grotowski, Shurtleff, Lessac, Linklater, Yoga, Tai Chi, Feldenkrais® Method, Laban, mask work, and more. Students are inspired through unique points-of-view within a comprehensive progression of acting, movement, and voice and speech curricula.

Equally important to the training students receive in the classroom is the opportunity to synthesize that learning in the production process, with each student completing quarterly production assignments throughout the two year program. 

Under the guidance of the faculty, graduating actors prepare a showcase production—usually a series of scenes and monologues—which is presented online as well as in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles for casting directors, talent agents, producers and directors from theatre, film, and television. The Graduate Showcase includes a series of alumni networking events in each city to introduce and connect our graduates to our large alumni network.

Admissions Process

The Theatre School admits a diverse acting pool and encourages applicants inclusive of all gender and sexual identities and expressions, including their intersection with racial and ethnic identities, as well as the multiplicity of identities in our ever-evolving society. For more information on how The Theatre School strives for equity, diversity, and inclusion, read our diversity action statement.