The Theatre School at DePaul University

What The Theatre School at DePaul University does

The Theatre School at DePaul University is a conservatory-style professional theatre training program founded in 1925 as the Goodman School of Drama and integrated into DePaul University in 1978. It enrolls approximately 460 students across 14 Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs (including Acting, Costume Design, Directing, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Sound Design, Stage Management, Theatre Technology, and Wig and Makeup), a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, an MFA in Acting, and graduate certificate programs such as the Intimacy Professionals for Theatre & Cinema Certification. The school operates from a purpose-built facility at 2350 N. Racine Ave. on DePaul's Lincoln Park campus in Chicago, designed by architect César Pelli and opened in 2013, housing a 250-seat thrust theatre, a 90-seat black box, costume/prop/scene shops, and rehearsal studios. Chicago's 200+ theatre companies serve as a real-world training ecosystem, with faculty maintaining active professional careers in the industry.

The school's business model is a flat-package tuition structure locked at the first-year rate for the standard program length, supplemented by mandatory merit-based scholarships of $15,000-$30,000 annually awarded to every admitted student (totaling $14M+ per year). Revenue is further supported by donations from alumni, corporations, and foundations, plus modest income from graduate certificate programs (IPTC at $540/credit hour, $12,960 total). Admissions are sales-led through auditions and interviews held in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and virtually via Zoom, with a first-come, first-served February 1 deadline. The school receives over 1,890 applicants annually for approximately 460 slots, maintains a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio (1:6 faculty/student), and produces 30+ productions each year as hands-on learning laboratories. Marketing channels include the website, virtual tours, campus visits, alumni networks, and social media, with the school's 100-year legacy and Chicago location serving as primary demand drivers.

Name

The Theatre School at DePaul University

Legal name

The Theatre School at DePaul University

Website

https://theatre.depaul.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Theatre School at DePaul University is a conservatory-style professional theatre training program in Chicago, enrolling approximately 460 students across 14 BFA programs, a BA, and graduate certificates, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 30+ annual productions serving as hands-on training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Colleges (Theatre, Dance, Musical Theatre) (EDAHAJAD), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE), Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater) (EDAAAGAE)

Keywords

• Conservatory theatre training
• BFA acting programs
• Performing arts education
• Graduate certificate theatre
• Theatre design technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: The school operates on a flat-package tuition model where students pay one flat fee each year for all coursework and production work. Tuition rate is locked at the rate paid for the first year of the program, up to the standard length of the program.
2. Scholarships: All admitted Theatre School students receive merit-based scholarships ranging between $15,000 and $30,000, automatically renewable up to four years. Additional need-based aid is available through FAFSA submission. The school awards $14M+ to students each year as Theatre School scholarships.
3. Donations and Alumni Giving: Donations from alumni, friends, corporations and foundations fund scholarships and programs that support the mission of the school. The school receives support for specific programs, the scholarship fund, and the TTS Community Pantry.
4. Graduate Certificate Programs: The Intimacy Professionals for Theatre & Cinema (IPTC) Certification program is billed at $540 per credit hour, totaling $12,960 for the 24 credit hour program. This graduate certificate program is approved for Federal Student Aid.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Theatre School delivers conservatory-style professional theatre training through 14 specialized Bachelor of Fine Arts programs (Acting, Costume Design, Directing, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Sound Design, Stage Management, Theatre Technology, Playwriting, Dramaturgy/Criticism, Comedy Arts, Theatre Arts, Theatre Management, and Wig and Makeup Design), a humanities-based BA in Theatre, and graduate certificate programs including the Intimacy Professionals for Theatre & Cinema Certification. Students learn by combining rigorous classroom instruction with guaranteed hands-on production work across more than 30 productions staged annually on the Lincoln Park campus.

Product overview

The Theatre School at DePaul University is a conservatory-based professional theatre training institution offering a unified portfolio of 14 Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre, and graduate certificate programs. The BFA programs (Acting, Costume Design, Directing, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Sound Design, Stage Management, Theatre Technology, Wig and Makeup, and others) operate as integrated conservatory training where classroom theory combines with direct practice and mentorship. The school also offers specialized certificate programs including the Intimacy Professionals for Theatre & Cinema Certification (IPTC). Productions including the annual Wrights of Spring playwrighting festival and Chicago Playworks provide hands-on learning laboratory experiences for students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Conservatory (BFA Programs) A four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts conservatory program offering 14 highly specialized disciplines (Acting, Costume Design, Directing, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Sound Design, Stage Management, Theatre Technology, Playwriting, Dramaturgy/Criticism, Comedy Arts, Theatre Arts, Theatre Management, and Wig and Makeup). Designed for prospective students pursuing professional careers in theatre, film, and television, with guaranteed hands-on production experience and mentorship from working professionals.
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre A four-year humanities-based Bachelor of Arts in Theatre that pairs broader liberal arts study with conservatory-style production experience. Designed for students seeking a theatre education grounded in humanities alongside practical training.
• Intimacy Professionals for Theatre & Cinema Certification (IPTC) A 24-credit hour graduate certificate program that trains students as certified intimacy directors/coordinators for theatre, film, and television. Covers consent and care in performance, movement and choreography, and anti-racism training. Priced at $540 per credit hour ($12,960 total). Designed for graduate students and mid-career professionals working in performance.
• Certificate Programs Professional certificate offerings covering Foundations in Intimacy Direction/Coordination (3-day non-credit), Wigs and Hair Production, and Wigs and Hair Styling and Maintenance. Designed for working professionals and students seeking specialized credentials beyond degree programs.
• BFA Sound Design A four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sound Design training students as sound designers and engineers. Curriculum covers sound editing, recording, composition, and collaboration with directors and professional production staff. Includes an optional fourth-year study abroad with the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
• BFA Wig and Makeup Design & Technology A four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts covering wig construction and styling, makeup design and application, actor hair styling, and makeup prosthetics creation. Prepares students for careers in theatre, film, and entertainment industries.
• Wrights of Spring Festival An annual two-week festival showcasing world premieres by student playwrights and comedy artists. Produced by BFA Theatre Management students and presented by The Theatre School since 1996, with over 170 playwrights featured and dozens of works subsequently produced at the school.
• Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences A series showcasing two plays for young audiences each year as part of the school's community outreach. Provides theatre experiences designed for local elementary schools and communities, reaching thousands of students annually. Operates as a charitable, community-facing offering rather than a paid student program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 460 students enrolled from around the US and several countries
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Raven TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Raven Theatre artistic director Sara Slight to support the Raven Playwriting Prize. In addition to a cash award, the winner receives developmental support for their new play at Raven Theatre.
• Shattered Globe TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing developmental support for winners' new plays at Shattered Globe Theatre as part of the Lawrence Bundschu and Warren Snoddy Endowed Playwriting Prize. A two-person panel including TTS alum and playwright Ike Holter selects winners.
• The Royal Central School of Speech and DramaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOptional study abroad partnership for Sound Design students in their fourth year. Students may participate in the Study Abroad Program in collaboration with the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London (additional cost).
• Chicago Theatre CommunitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeep integration with Chicago's remarkably diverse theatre community. A majority of the faculty and staff maintain their connections and professional work in all aspects of Chicago's renowned and thriving theatre industry, providing students with valuable networks.
• Chicago Schools and CommunitiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChicago Playworks series and community outreach programs provide theatre experiences designed for local schools and communities, reaching thousands of students annually.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Broad incumbents

• Juilliard School Drama Division: Elite conservatory offering BFA in Drama and graduate acting programs with full-tuition scholarships. Comparable in conservatory rigor and selectivity, though smaller in scale and more concentrated in acting than DePaul's 14-discipline portfolio.
• Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama: Top-ranked U.S. drama school offering BFA programs in acting, music theatre, design, and production. Directly comparable as a conservatory embedded in a private university with similar multi-discipline training and Tony/Oscar-winning alumni.
• NYU Tisch School of the Arts: One of the largest and most prestigious U.S. performing arts schools, offering BFA programs in acting, drama, and design at scale. Comparable in degree offerings and conservatory-style training, though materially larger and with broader film/TV programming.
• USC School of Dramatic Arts: Major private university drama program offering BFA in acting and design with strong film/TV industry ties via USC's location in Los Angeles. Comparable in degree offerings and conservatory rigor, though with greater emphasis on screen acting than DePaul.
• Yale School of Drama: Premier graduate drama program offering MFA degrees in acting, design, directing, dramaturgy, and stage management. Comparable in conservatory rigor and alumni outcomes, though primarily graduate-focused rather than the BFA-centric DePaul model.

Direct peers

• University of the Arts (Philadelphia): Private university offering BFA programs in acting, musical theatre, and design with conservatory-style training. Comparable in degree offerings and target student profile, though currently undergoing institutional restructuring.
• Royal Central School of Speech and Drama: UK-based conservatory that is DePaul's existing study-abroad partner, offering comparable conservatory training in acting, design, and production. Comparable in pedagogy and program structure, though serving a primarily international student body.
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA): Public conservatory offering BFA programs across acting, design, production, and stage management. Comparable in conservatory structure and multi-discipline training, though publicly funded and located in a different regional market.
• Boston Conservatory at Berklee: Conservatory-style institution offering BFA programs in theatre, musical theatre, and acting with full-tuition scholarships and a comparable scale. Similar in pedagogy and degree portfolio to DePaul's Theatre School.
• Northwestern University School of Communication (Theatre): A leading Midwest-based theatre training program at a private research university, offering BFA-equivalent training in acting, design, and stage management with strong Chicago industry ties — directly comparable to DePaul's Theatre School in geography, student profile, and conservatory-style pedagogy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheatreSchool
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheTheatreSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-theatre-school-at-depaul

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Theatre School at DePaul University