Chapman University

Chapman University’s Department of Theatre, housed within the College of Performing Arts, delivers a rigorous and personalized academic environment for students pursuing live or on-screen performance. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, a BFA in Theatre Performance, and a BFA in Screen Acting—each designed to nurture both creative exploration and professional readiness. Small class sizes and close mentorship from faculty who are active industry professionals make Chapman stand out as a highly engaged training ground.

The BA in Theatre is structured as a liberal arts path, emphasizing coursework in performance, dramaturgy, directing, theatre history, technical theatre, and arts leadership. It supports double-majoring and study abroad, enabling students to expand interdisciplinary insight while receiving comprehensive theatre preparation.

The BFA in Theatre Performance provides conservatory-style training, with core instruction in acting, voice, movement, text analysis, audition technique, and professional performance practice. Students engage in practical productions from their first year, and the program culminates in a senior showcase with industry professionals.

The BFA in Screen Acting, offered in collaboration with Dodge College of Film & Media Arts, prepares students specifically for television, film, and digital media performance. The curriculum focuses on on-camera techniques, film history, screenwriting, and professional media production—including a business-of-acting course and senior actor showcase. Graduates leave with a reel and real-world media experience.

Chapman Theatre students benefit from productions in state-of-the-art facilities, including the Musco Center for the Arts and Marion Knott Studios. Performance opportunities span mainstage plays, musicals, student-led creations, and film projects at Dodge College. The university’s Southern California location, access to entertainment networks, and pathways into graduate training and professional internships create strong career-readiness outcomes. Alumni work at organizations like South Coast Repertory, Disney, and Broadway, reflecting the program’s regional and national relevance.