Columbia College Chicago Questions

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

Hi! I’m reposting this here because the CCC forum doesn’t get much traffic. I recently visited Columbia and I really loved the campus. It was already extremely high on my list, but I have a few things that worry me. I am interested in acting (either BA, but preferably the BFA) and the minor in stage combat.

My current high school has an incredible theatre department that I have been actively involved in since my freshman year (I’m a senior). But we have a politically motivated teacher staff and my confidence has been completely obliterated because of the teachers and students. I really don’t want that in the college that I go to.

So, for Columbia, what I’m a little hesitant of is the fact that there are so many people in the school and the theatre majors that it worries me about two things.

  1. I would like to know how competitive the atmosphere is, specifically for acting majors (BFA or BA). Is it generally a supportive community between students and other students and teachers. Or is it a competition of the best talent and cut throat people going after the same roles?
  2. I know Columbia allows students to branch outside, but I’d like to know how much do students actually get to make use of their acting inside the school. Such as in shows or other student’s films?
2

I know a couple of kids from my son’s youth theater program who went to CCC and they have both been cast in main stage productions. There are a LOT of acting majors, and not all of them have the talent and work ethic you’d find in an auditioned program, but if you work hard you can be successful. A lot of the teachers and directors are working professionals, and if you are good, they will notice.