<p>I have a quick question about Depaul that seems to have no answer :P and I'm getting really desperate! </p>
<p>I really like the Acting BFA that Depaul offers, it seems like an excellent conservatory that has great connections to the business. Plus, being in Chicago really doesn't hurt at all! </p>
<p>My only problem is that I really want to do at least some classes in playwriting and directing. Whilst I do believe I am a good actor, I don't want to limit myself to just one craft. I've always loved writing (in fact I plan on doing a minor in English literature) as well as directing and I would really love to be able to learn more in those fields whilst also studying acting. </p>
<p>So my question is :</p>
<p>In the Depaul BFA acting program am I able to take any kind of playwriting/directing classes? Am I able to do so through electives? </p>
<p>I understand that Depaul does offer a playwriting BFA as well as a Theatre Studies BFA but I feel like those programs don't have enough acting.</p>
<p>Any information/advice is very much appreciated! Thank you!! :D</p>
<p>I have no idea, and there may be people on here that do know, but really it is always safe to say, go to the source, DePaul theater office and ask… This is a good time to ask questons , as you are not near deadline time, when they are getting millions of questions…
Good luck</p>
<p>I have studied DePaul’s curriculum pretty carefully, and share your concerns. From what I’ve inferred, Acting BFA candidates do not have much opportunity to branch out into other areas through formal classes during the regular academic quarters. That’s one drawback to their intensive focus. BU’s Theatre Arts BFA program is unusual in allowing flexibility for actors to study criticism/dramaturgy, playwriting, and directing. Please share your findings, if you learn anything more. I will do the same.</p>
<p>Thank you for both of your concerns and it’s interesting to see that other people have the same issue. DePaul’s acting curriculum is great for people like me who want a strong focus on the performance side. At the same time though whilst we may be good at performing, some of us are also academic and it sucks that DePaul doesn’t give actors at least the opportunity to branch out. </p>
<p>Thank you stagemum and I will also keep looking into the program to see if I can find out any information. I might be going to Chicago with my uncle sometime soon and if I’m able to get round to the DePaul campus, I’ll try and get some more information about the program from a theatre faculty member or a current student. </p>
<p>I’m also going to look in to Rutgers (in New Jersey) as they seem to have a very strong, well-known program and I’ll reply here to let you know if they have more of what we’re looking for. </p>
<p>Just as a point of interest, I do believe the Syracuse Acting BFA does allow students (if not encourage them) to do playwriting and directing classes. I think the Ithaca College program does as well.</p>
<p>If you really like Chicago, have you looked at Northwestern U. (heavy liberal arts emphasis) or Columbia College (both BA and BFA are offered in acting)? Columbia is in the same neighborhood as DePaul, so it would not be impossible to visit both in one day.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice “happymomof1” I have looked into Northwestern and am definitely applying! It’s probably becoming my first choice as it does have a very strong drama program with good connections as well as excellent academics. It’s almost the perfect fit for me but it’s a hard school to get into so I’m preparing myself for a disappointment. I haven’t heard much about Columbia College but I will definitely look into it :)</p>
<p>At BU the students who go the theater arts route have plenty of opportunity to do writing and directing. The faculty is strong. Lydia Diamond, who my daughter has had for several classes, has a play opening on Broadway in November…
At DePaul we made an appointment , to meet with head of admissions and he gave her an hour of his time, answering questions and then a student gave us the tour…
Keep asking questions…have fun</p>
<p>Hi! I did a tour specifically of the Theatre School at DePaul last year and had some Q&A time with the director of the program. I am interested in doing both tech and acting. Although I had found out I could not double major in the two, I asked if I would at least be able to remain active in tech. He told me that it would be difficult because the BFA program was so time consuming, but that typically, if BFA students did really, really want to do something like that, they could make it happen. I am assuming the same applies to directing and playwriting. Also, from what I remember many of the classes in The Theatre School are open to all Theatre School majors. So if you could make the time, you would be eligible to take lower level playwriting and directing courses.
Again, this is just what I remember from the tour. I hope this helped!!</p>
<p>I agree with Mother of GG - call or email DePaul admissions. This is a good time.</p>
<p>One other thought - you can often free up room in your schedule for electives if you have AP scores or community college credits that get you out of required gen ed courses.</p>
<p>Yes, I would suggest following up directly with Theatre Admission at <a href=“mailto:theatreadmission@depaul.edu”>theatreadmission@depaul.edu</a> so that they can best answer your questions. The acting program is a focused, conservatory program so it may be difficult to take many classes outside of the acting program. </p>
<p>-Jordan Myers
DePaul Office of Undergraduate Admission</p>
I have looked into Northwestern and am definitely applying! It’s probably becoming my first choice as it does have a very strong drama program with good connections as well as excellent academics. It’s almost the perfect fit for me but it’s a hard school to get into so I’m preparing myself for a disappointment. I haven’t heard much about Columbia College but I will definitely look into it :)</p>