The Theatre School at DePaul University, previously the Goodman School of Drama (also known as TTS and GSD, respectively) is the drama school of DePaul University. Founded with its first class conducted at the

Art Institute of Chicago The Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago's Grant Park, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. Recognized for its curatorial efforts and popularity among visitors, the museum hosts approximately 1.5 mill ...

on January 5, 1925, the Goodman School was associated with the Goodman Theatre Company. The school officially became part of DePaul University on July 1, 1978, and was renamed The Theatre School at DePaul University in 1982. The Theatre School is the Midwest region's oldest theatre conservatory and is ranked as one of the top professional theatrical training programs in the United States, enrolling approximately 450 students from North America and abroad. The Theatre School's main performance spaces are the

Merle Reskin Theatre The Merle Reskin Theatre is a performing arts venue located in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois. Originally named the Blackstone Theatre it was built in 1910. Renamed the Merle Reskin Theatre in 1992, it is now part of DePaul Unive ...

(formerly Blackstone Theatre) in Downtown Chicago, the Healy BlackBox theatre, and the Watts Theater in the Lincoln Park Campus.

Academics

The Theatre School is organized in three departments with the following degrees are currently on offer: ;Design/Technology #

Bachelor of Fine Arts A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a standard undergraduate degree for students for pursuing a professional education in the visual, fine or performing arts. It is also called Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) in some cases. Background The Bachelor ...

in Costume Design, Costume Technology, Lighting Design, Projection Design,

Scenic Design Scenic design (also known as scenography, stage design, or set design) is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery. Scenic designers come from a variety of artistic backgrounds, but in recent years, are mostly trained ...

, Sound Design,

Stage Management Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production. Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal p ...

, Theatre Technology, and Wig and Makeup Design ;Performance #

Acting Acting is an activity in which a story is told by means of its enactment by an actor or actress who adopts a character—in theatre, television, film, radio, or any other medium that makes use of the mimetic mode. Acting involves a broad r ...

Master of Fine Arts A Master of Fine Arts (MFA or M.F.A.) is a terminal degree in fine arts, including visual arts, creative writing, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, dance, theatre, other performing arts and in some cases, theatre management or arts admini ...

and Directing ;Theatre Studies #

in Comedy Arts,

Dramaturgy Dramaturgy is the study of dramatic composition and the Representation (arts), representation of the main elements of drama on the stage. The term first appears in the eponymous work ''Hamburg Dramaturgy'' (1767–69) by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing ...

Criticism Criticism is the construction of a judgement about the negative qualities of someone or something. Criticism can range from impromptu comments to a written detailed response. , ''"the act of giving your opinion or judgment about the good or bad q ...

, Playwriting, Theatre Arts (with possible concentrations in Directing and Theatre for Young Audiences), and Theatre Management #

in Arts Leadership The Theatre School produces over two dozen public theatrical productions and nearly forty total productions each season. The Theatre School Showcase Series features contemporary and classic plays, while the Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences presents plays for children. Other mainstage productions include the New Directors Series (MFA Directing theses) and the New Playwrights Series (BFA Playwriting pieces).

Notable alumni

Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago (1925–1978)

Theoni V. Aldredge Theoni V. Aldredge (August 22, 1922 – January 21, 2011) was a Greek-American stage and screen costume designer. Biography Born Theoni Athanasiou Vachliotis in Thessaloniki in 1922, Aldredge received her training at the American School in At ...

(BFA Costume Design, 1952) *

Shelley Berman Sheldon Leonard Berman (February 3, 1925 – September 1, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, writer, teacher, and lecturer. In his comedic career, he was awarded three gold records and he won the first Grammy Award for a spoken comedy reco ...

(Acting) * Bruce Boxleitner (Certificate Acting, 1971)''TSNews'' (The Theatre School at DePaul University), April 3, 2014.
/ref> * Melinda Dillon (Acting) * Dennis Dugan (BFA Acting, 1969) * Scott Ellis (BFA Acting, 1978) *

Joel Fink Joel G. Fink is an American actor, director, acting coach and theatre administrator. He is Professor Emeritus of Theatre, The Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in Chicago, where he also served ...

(BFA Acting) * Charles Fleischer (Acting) * Gloria Foster (Acting) *

Dennis Grimaldi Dennis Grimaldi is an American theatrical producer, director, and choreographer who has worked on Broadway, Off Broadway, television, and on London's West End. His work includes '' Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, Other Peo ...

(BFA Acting, 1969) * Linda Hunt (BFA Acting, 1966) * Barry Kelley (Acting) * Harvey Korman (Acting) * Eugene Lee (BFA Scenic Design, 1964) * Joe Mantegna (BFA Acting, 1967–1969) * Lois Nettleton (Acting) *

Geraldine Page Geraldine Sue Page (November 22, 1924June 13, 1987) was an American actress. With a career which spanned four decades across film, stage, and television, Page was the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Acade ...

(BFA Acting, 1945) * Betsy Palmer (Acting) *

Shauneille Perry Shauneille Gantt Perry Ryder (July 26, 1929 – June 9, 2022) was an American stage director and playwright. She was one of the first African-American women to direct off-Broadway. Biography Shauneille Perry was born on July 26, 1929, in Chicag ...

(MFA Directing, 1952) * José Quintero (BFA Acting, 1949) * Steve Smith (BFA Acting, 1977) *

Carrie Snodgress Caroline Louise Snodgress (October 27, 1945 – April 1, 2004) was an American actress. She is best remembered for her role in the film ''Diary of a Mad Housewife'' (1970), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award as w ...

(Acting) * Concetta Tomei (BFA Acting, 1975) *

John Towey John Madden Towey (born February 13, 1940) is an American actor. He studied acting and directing at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. He received B.F.A. degree in directing in 1967. Acted two seasons at the Arena Stage in Washington D.C. (1977–7 ...

(BFA Directing, 1967) * Sam Wanamaker (Acting, 1938) * Ted Wass (BFA Acting) *

Howard Witt Howard Witt (March 13, 1932 – June 21, 2017) was an American character actor and Chicago native who began his acting career in the Goodman Theatre. Early years Witt attended Von Steuben High School and was a drama student at Goodman School ...

(Certificate Acting, 1967) * Charlayne Woodard (BFA Acting, 1974–1977) * Louis Zorich (BFA Acting, 1958)

Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University (1978–1982)

* Tom Amandes (Certificate Acting, 1981) * Kevin Anderson (Certificate Acting, 1981) * Ann Dowd (MFA Acting, 1982) * Elizabeth Perkins (Certificate Acting, 1981) *

Michael Rooker Michael Rooker (born April 6, 1955) is an American actor known for his roles as Henry in '' Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer'' (1986), Chick Gandil in ''Eight Men Out'' (1988), Frank Baily in ''Mississippi Burning'' (1988), Terry Cruger in ''S ...

(BFA Acting, 1982) *

Andrzej Szczytko Andrzej Szczytko (9 October 1955 – 11 June 2021) was a Polish actor and stage director. Szczytko is the recipient of multiple theatre awards and honours, including the 2016 Witkacy Prize - Critics' Circle Award. He was awarded the Decorati ...

(1980)

The Theatre School at DePaul University (1982–present)

Aaron Abrams Aaron Abrams (born 12 May 1978) is a Canadian actor and writer, who has worked in both film and television. Born in Toronto, Abrams has appeared as a regular on several series, including Hannibal, Blindspot, '' The State Within'', '' Slings a ...

(BFA Acting, 2001) * Gillian Anderson (BFA Acting, 1990) * Kevin Bigley (BFA Acting, 2009) * W. Earl Brown (MFA Acting, 1989) * Julianne Buescher (BFA Acting, 1989) *

P. J. Byrne Paul Jeffrey Byrne (born December 15, 1974) is an American film and television actor. He is best known for his roles as Nicky "Rugrat" Koskoff in the Martin Scorsese film ''The Wolf of Wall Street (2013 film), The Wolf of Wall Street'' (2013) a ...

(MFA Acting, 1999) *

John Cabrera John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

(BFA Acting, 1997) *

Paula Cale Paula Cale (born June 2, 1970) is an American actress best known for her role as Joanie Hansen on the television series ''Providence''. Early life Cale was born Paula Korologos in Great Falls, Virginia. Her father, Tom C. Korologos, worked as a ...

(BFA Acting, 1993) *

Monique Coleman Adrienne Monique Coleman (born November 13, 1980) is an American actress known for her role in Disney's ''High School Musical'' movies, in which she plays Taylor McKessie. Early life and education Adrienne Monique Coleman was born in Orangebu ...

(BFA Acting, 2002) * David Dastmalchian (BFA Acting, 1999) *

Eli Goodman Eli Goodman (born July 12, 1971) is an American film and television actor, active since 1997. He has appeared in more than 25 film and television series. He studied toward a BFA in acting at The Theatre School at DePaul University The Theatre Sc ...

(BFA Acting, 1988–1990) * Judy Greer (BFA Acting, 1997) * Sean Gunn (BFA Acting, 1996) *

Jeremy O. Harris Jeremy O. Harris (born ) is an American playwright, actor, and philanthropist, known for his plays ''"Daddy"'' and ''Slave Play''. The latter received 12 nominations at the 74th Tony Awards, breaking the record previously set by the 2018 revival ...

(BFA Acting, 2009–2010) *

Zach Helm Zach Helm (born January 21, 1975) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He wrote the internationally-performed stage play ''Good Canary'', wrote and directed the film '' Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium'' (2007) and has staged ...

(BFA Acting, 1996) * Ike Holter (BFA Playwriting, 2007) *

Stana Katic Stana Katic (; born ) is a Canadian-American actress and producer. She played Kate Beckett on the ABC television romantic crime series ''Castle'' (2009–2016) and Agent Emily Byrne in the thriller series '' Absentia'' (2017–2020). Early lif ...

(MFA Acting, 2000–2002) * Lisa Robin Kelly (BFA Acting, 1992) * Joe Keery (BFA Acting, 2014) * Alexander Koch (BFA Acting, 2012)Alexander Koch, ''Under the Dome'' (biography) – CBS.
/ref> *

KiKi Layne Kiandra "KiKi" Layne (born December 10, 1991) is an American actress. She is best known for her starring roles in such films as the romantic drama ''If Beale Street Could Talk'' (2018), the drama ''Native Son'' (2019), the action superhero film ...

(BFA Acting, 2014) * Adam Mayfield (BFA Acting, 2000) * Tarell Alvin McCraney (BFA Acting, 2003) *

Cynthia McWilliams Cynthia Kaye McWilliams is an American actress, known for her performances on the television series ''Real Husbands of Hollywood'', '' Prison Break'', and '' Nashville''. Life and career Cynthia Kaye McWilliams was born in Berlin, Germany, but mo ...

(BFA Acting, 2003) *

Frank Merle Frank Merle is an American screenwriter, director and producer best known for '' The Employer'' and '' From Jennifer.'' Also a theatrical producer and director, Merle trained at The Theatre School at DePaul University. Film career After graduat ...

(BFA Playwriting, 2001) * Michael Muhney (BFA Acting, 1997) *

Tawny Newsome Tawny Newsome (born February 24, 1983) is an American musician, comedian, and actress best known for playing Chelsea Leight-Leigh on ''Bajillion Dollar Propertie$'', co-starring in ''Space Force'' and the third season of ''Brockmire'', and co-h ...

(BFA Acting, 2006) * Kevin O'Connor (BFA Acting, 1985) * Zak Orth (BFA Acting, 1992) *

Caitlin Montanye Parrish Caitlin Parrish is an American playwright, television writer, and filmmaker and, along with Erica Weiss, the co-creator of '' The Red Line'' on CBS. Her work in television also includes ''Supergirl'', ''Under The Dome'', and ''Emily Owens MD'' ...

(BFA Theatre Studies, 2006) *

Dewayne Perkins Dewayne Perkins (born November 5, 1990) is an American comedian, writer, actor, and producer. Born and raised in Chicago, he received improv training at The Second City and also worked for iO Theater. His stand-up comedy was recommended by ''Vari ...

(BFA Acting, left) * Amy Pietz (BFA Acting, 1991) *

John C. Reilly John Christopher Reilly (born May 24, 1965) is an American actor, comedian, musician, producer, and writer. After his film debut in ''Casualties of War'' (1989), he gained exposure through his supporting roles in ''Days of Thunder'' (1990), ''Wh ...

(BFA Acting, 1983–1987) * Leonard Roberts (BFA Acting, 1995) *

Ashton Sanders Ashton Durrand Sanders (born October 24, 1995) is an American actor best known for his portrayal of teenage Chiron in the Academy Award-winning film ''Moonlight'' (2016). Early life Sanders was born in Carson, California. He attended Grand Ar ...

(BFA Acting, 2013–2016) *

Casey Siemaszko Kazimierz Andrew "Casey" Siemaszko (; born March 17, 1961) is an American actor. Personal life Siemaszko was born in Chicago and grew up on the city's northwest side. He attended Saint Ignatius College Preparatory School and graduated from the ...

(BFA Acting, 1983) * Nina Siemaszko (Acting) * Lili Taylor (Acting)

References

External links

The Theatre School at DePaul University

DePaul University
{{DEFAULTSORT:Theatre School at DePaul University DePaul University Drama schools in the United States Educational institutions established in 1925 Performing arts education in the United States Theatre in Chicago 1925 establishments in Illinois