Overview

The Theatre Directing programme at Roosevelt University offers a specialised Master of Arts pathway designed specifically for secondary school educators and early-career theatre professionals. This intensive 18-month curriculum combines on-campus summer residencies with flexible online learning to accommodate working professionals.

Students engage in a rigorous exploration of directorial techniques, performance skills, and production design. The programme is delivered through the Chicago College of Performing Arts, providing a conservatory-style environment where student-directors collaborate closely with seasoned industry experts. The academic journey culminates in a significant thesis project, where participants direct a full production or serve as an assistant director within a professional setting.

Why Theatre Directing at Roosevelt University?

The university provides a unique interdisciplinary conservatory environment located in the heart of Chicago’s world-renowned theatre district. Students benefit from direct proximity to prestigious institutions such as the Goodman Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre Company, often visiting these venues to observe professional productions and engage with active practitioners.

Instruction is led by a distinguished faculty comprising both academic professors and working professionals from the Chicago arts community. This ensures that the training remains grounded in contemporary industry standards. The cohort-based model fosters deep professional networking and camaraderie, as students progress through their summer residencies together, sharing diverse perspectives from their own teaching and directing backgrounds.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 1763 per credit
National fee: USD 1763 per credit
Local fee: USD 1763 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to address the specific needs of classroom theatre teachers and acting coaches. Modules may include:

Theatrical Production: costumes, sound, set, makeup, lighting, props
Movement, Stage Combat, Voice, Circus Arts, Theatrical Intimacy Training
Stage Direction: Shakespeare, Period Plays, Contemporary Plays, Musical Theatre, Latinx Plays, Black Plays, Literary Adaptation

Careers with Theatre Directing

Graduates are well-prepared to advance their careers as theatre educators in secondary schools or to transition into professional directing roles. The programme focuses on enhancing the pedagogical skills of drama teachers while providing the technical expertise required for professional stage management and artistic leadership. By building a portfolio and a professional network in Chicago, students gain the credentials necessary for roles in educational theatre, community arts organisations, and professional production companies.

Programme Structure

Courses offered:

Problems in Theatrical Production

Sound, Costumes, Scenic Design

Stage Movement and Combat

Stage Direction: Literary Adaptation

Dramaturgy and Production Preparation

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-02-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

33 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Chicago, United States

Disciplines

Music Drama View 255 other Masters in Drama in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

A list of all productions you have directed, including location and year

A list of all undergraduate and post-graduate theatre courses you have taken, including location and year

A teaching resume, including schools, years, and courses taught

A related experience resume, including technical experience, performance experience, and workshops given or attended

An essay on how you hope the program will impact your work as a director

A mini-portfolio containing pictures from a production (six photos maximum) and a reflection (two-page maximum) on the applicant’s involvement, approach and process in mounting the production

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

19393 USD / year

≈ 19393 USD / year
Out-of-State

19393 USD / year

≈ 19393 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

19393 USD / year

≈ 19393 USD / year

Living costs

Chicago

United States

1297 - 2491 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Theatre Directing.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Chicago

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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