drama

Hi!

I recently got accepted to Roosevelt Chicago College of Performing Arts for their BFA acting program I am beyond excited about the acceptance, however I have a lot of unanswered questions about the school. I would love to get some opinions and facts about it, before I make my decision.

Questions:
1) What is a typical daily/weekly schedule like in the acting program?
2) How many productions are put up in a year?
3) Are freshmen allowed to audition for shows?
4) Approximately how many students are in the BFA acting program (per class)?
5) How big is a usual class size (e.g. in Acting 101 or Movement class, not the class of 2014)
6) What reputation does CCPA have?
7) What are the dorms like?
8) Who and how many people from the industry come to the graduating student showcase?
9) What kind of connections does CCPA have to the professional industry?

If you can answer any of the questions above, or have anything you'd like to tell me about Roosevelt, please give me your input!

Thanks!

Drama16

I have the exact same questions! I was accepted into their BFA Acting program as well... Any input would be greatly appreciated!

music_is_life

I am a freshman musical theatre major, but I will do my best to answer these questions.

1. Acting majors typically have 2-3 classes a day and then rehearsal at night when they are working on their show or doing their tech assignments. Classes Freshman Year include Acting studio classes three times a week, Intro to Professional Theatre, Stage Management, Stage Makeup, Yoga, Creative Process, etc.

2.For acting majors, CCPA does about 4 main stage straight plays and then 4-5 performances in the studio theatre. Each student is required to be cast in a show each semester unless they ask to be removed from the casting pool if they get a professional show elsewhere.

3. Freshman are automatically put into shows with the other freshman. They do not want Freshman up against Seniors in the casting pool for their first year. Starting Sophomore year, students enter the casting pool and are eligible for mainstage shows.

4.They aim for a class of 25, but that varies per year.

5. For acting classes, no bigger than 20 or 25. There are some classes Freshman year such as Intro to Professional Theatre (which is pretty much a lecture class) in which the Acting majors and MTs all take the class together.

6. Roosevelt has a great reputation with professional theatres in Chicago as well as elsewhere. The program is great now, but it is definitely on the rise and is becoming more and more well known as the years go on.

7.The dorms here are really nice. I live in the University Center this year(all freshman do), and it's an AMAZING facility. The building is new, the rooms are huge, there are 24 hour work out facilities, practice rooms, laundry facilities and a cafeteria right in the building. You can either choose to be in a suite (traditional dorm room housing 2 people with a bathroom connecting to another room with 2 more people) or an apartment style room. It houses students from Roosevelt, Columbia, Depaul, and Robert Morris University. I really like living here, and it is about a block from school. It's very convenient. After freshman year, students live at ROW (Roosevelt on Washington) which is basically an apartment building with varying layouts and room types. I've been there a few times, and it is VERY nice. A few upperclassmen have told me it's a nice buffer between dorm living and getting your own apartment.

8. I am not sure who exactly comes to the showcase, but I know that they usually have a good turn out of casting directors from the majority of major theatres in Chicago. We do have a showcase in Chicago, and this year, our senior class is raising money to do a showcase in NYC as well. If you are looking for a more specific answer, it may be best to call the school, as I am not extremely familiar with the way the showcase works.

9. As I previously said, CCPA is well regarded in Chicago. The great part about going to school in Chicago is that there are so many chances to network and get your name out there. The theatre industry in Chicago is always looking for fresh faces. Our students are cast in shows outside of school at the major Chicago theatres like Chicago Shakespeare. Additionally, I know of students who do internships both in the summer and during the school year. One senior this year is doing an internship at Chicago Shakespeare. There are tons of opportunities out there if you seek them!

I attempted to answer these questions to best of my ability as an MT and not an acting major. If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know. I am friends with many of the acting majors and if I don't know the answer, I will find out for you! Good luck with everything!

Becca

drama

Thank you so much Becca! Your answers really help me get a better overview of Roosevelt I'm sure more questions will pop up as time passes, but for now I'm good, and if anything, even more excited to be accepted to CCPA!

drama

Does anyone know how selective the school is?
As in (how many people get in) out of (how many people audition)

hacktor

Giving this a little bump. Interested in selectivity also.

Frankly, CCPA was not one of my D's better researched school's - but is the first (and hopefully not the last!) acceptance she has received. Above confirms local reputation, but we're not seeing a lot of recognition outside of Chicago. That could just be us however!

Also, costs seem to be on the high end, sort of at the Juilliard level. Acceptance letter refers to April 1 notification of scholarships based on audition. Anybody know how common / generous they are?

music_is_life

Drama-- the school is quite selective. I have heard (though am not positive) that over 500 people auditioned this year, and then they aim for a class of 25 acting majors so they accept about double putting the number accepted at 50.

Hacktor-- CCPA's students are successful in Chicago because many of us choose to stay in Chicago upon graduation. However, students also find success at regional and summer stock theatres around the nation. We also have successful students in New York which include but are not limited to Merle Dandridge (Tarzan, Spamalot, etc) and Courtney Reed (In The Heights).

Regarding cost, they are usually quite generous with talent scholarships. I found that my offer from CCPA surpassed the offers I got from other schools.

hacktor

Thanks! I hope I didn't come across as disparaging - really its just ignorance! She is *extremely* excited about going.

music_is_life

Not at all! Those were great questions to ask, and I tried to answer them as honestly as possible :-) If you have any more questions, feel free to let me know!

iamzeke

I would like to hear some more from a MT undergrad. stand point

Heartsongmom

I read an article in the paper that Roosevelt was in financial distress after building their incredible facility. Does anyone have new information about the colleges financial standing? I am concerned about the stability of the college and it's ability to provide aid. Do you know if the budget for CCPA is separate from Roosevelt University's budget?

lovemyfamily

interested to hear as well...