The Theater program is designed for students who intend to continue theater studies and transfer to another institution, for students who want to broaden their general education with theater electives and for community members and students who want to participate in college theatrical performances.
Theater courses are available in acting, improvisation, directing, voice and diction, theater appreciation, stage movement, stagecraft, stage management, stage make-up, technical production, combat and audition.
A rich and diverse community of students, faculty and staff work together to create a cohesive learning experience. Students can prepare for a career as a working artist, enrich their experience as both an audience member and artist and explore the arts under the guidance of active professional faculty and staff who are committed to the growth and development of their students.
In addition to the professional theater in residence, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, the theater department has an active production schedule using three theaters in the McAninch Arts Center, summer touring components, auditioned, rehearsed, staged and recorded productions.
Among the program's graduates are theater founders, actors in TV shows and movies and performers at Chicago's Orchestra Hall and the Lyric Opera.
Determine Your Path
Theater practitioners work in many different careers: the theater itself, in other performance industries such as film and dance and in diverse roles in business, education or other related professions.
Whether you are taking theater courses for fun or planning to transfer with an Associate in Arts degree in theater to another institution, COD offers:
- Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience.
- Instruction utilizing top-notch facilities, equipment and resources.
- Affordable programs to help students achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining a savings account.
- Small class sizes that ensure students receive personalized attention from instructors.
- Articulated transfer programs.
- Exceptional stages including the Belushi Performance Center in the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage.
- Opportunities to study and/or work with the Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, the professional company in residence at the MAC.
COD Stories
"It not only taught me the skills needed to become a successful actor, but it also taught me proper acting etiquette, such as how to prepare for a scene and how to rehearse. I still hold all of those things with me to this day.” - Lamorne Morris
Lamorne's COD StoryCOD Stories
"When I hit the stage at Southern Illinois University, I had so much experience that I was cast in the leads. If I had gone to SIU as a freshman, I never would have got my feet on the boards like I did at COD.” - Jim Belushi
Jim's COD StoryGet Started Today
The first step to getting started in theater is to apply for admission.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree or certificate that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
Students who complete courses in Theater Arts will:
- Develop a broadened understanding of the art of theater, awareness of its wide range of disciplines, realizing the importance of each to the whole, and its relationship with the other liberal arts.
- Demonstrate the ability to seek advanced study and/or achieve an entry-level position in theatrical venues and/or transfer into another field of study, integrating the collaborative and highly disciplined practices derived from the study of theater.
- Integrate critical thinking skills, applying theater techniques and experiences, to explain themselves more articulately in oral and/or written discussion.
- Integrate or demonstrate through observation, imagination, collaboration, preparation and communication the ability to use the tools and equipment basic to the realization of a unified theatrical approach.
- Develop and defend informed judgments about performance and production.
College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in theater. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.
For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.
Articulation Agreements
College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or the Counseling and Advising office to stay on track.Transfer Guides
Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.
Career Information
Explore careers based on your interest, location and salary range or view top occupations by income.
