<p>Hi!
I'm been looking around at different schools in the Midwest area that offer Stage Management programs. DePaul has come up many times, and to me it looks like a great school. But, when looking at different reviews, it goes from a "F" to an "A+". Is DePaul worth looking into more, and if not, what other school would be good? Thanks!!</p>
<p>I stumbled upon a website with forum just for stage managers yesterday – you might want to check it out! SMNetwork.org</p>
<p>Northern Kentucky University</p>
<p>DePaul has quite a good reputation but all good schools are not identical. Nothing works for everyone. Since you are asking about the midwest, if you are interested in intimate drama in smaller theaters and thinking of settling in Chicago, DePaul is a great choice. If you want to learn the latest equipment with an eye to production-heavy musicals on Broadway, you might want to look elsewhere. A lot depends on your own reactions.</p>
<p>Good to know!! Thanks!</p>
<p>Well, DePaul stages their big productions in a large professional theater, the Merle Reskin (seats over 1300) in downtown Chicago–not exactly small-time. Their current scene shop is impressive, and the new theater building (opens in fall 2013) will be even more so. My understanding from our visit was that they would continue to use the downtown theater for their main stage shows. The sets are built at DePaul and trucked/loaded in at the Merle Reskin. We were very impressed with the professionalism and connectedness to Chicago theater at DePaul.</p>