Loyola University Chicago

What you'll study

The Drama programme at Loyola blends practical studio work, production practicum and academic study. Core modules typically cover acting technique, voice and speech, movement, script analysis, directing fundamentals, scene study and improvisation. Students also study theatre history, dramatic literature, playwriting and dramaturgy to situate practice within broader cultural and historical contexts.

Technical and design pathways include courses in set and costume design, lighting, sound design, stagecraft and scenic construction, with training in drafting, CAD and model-making. The curriculum emphasises collaborative production work: students participate in departmental productions, workshops and ensemble projects where rehearsal processes mirror professional practice.

The programme is delivered within a liberal arts framework, so students take elective courses across disciplines, enabling development of complementary skills in areas such as communication, media studies, business or education. Upper-level seminars and capstone projects allow for focused study, such as a senior performance, a design portfolio, or a research-based thesis in theatre studies.

Typical modules and experiences

• Acting and Scene Study
• Voice and Movement for the Actor
• Script Analysis and Dramatic Literature
• Directing and Rehearsal Practice
• Theatre History and Contemporary Theatre
• Set, Costume, Lighting and Sound Design
• Stagecraft and Technical Production
• Playwriting and Dramaturgy
• Production Practicum and Ensemble Performance
• Senior Capstone Project or Portfolio

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a secondary-school diploma or equivalent and present a competitive academic record. Admissions typically consider transcripts, a personal statement and letters of recommendation. Prospective performance majors should be prepared to participate in an audition; applicants to design or technical tracks may be asked to submit a portfolio of work.

Loyola values demonstrated commitment to theatre—this can include school or community productions, technical work, writing, or other relevant experience. Where auditions or portfolios are required, guidance on format and content is provided by the department; international applicants must meet the university's English language proficiency expectations.

Career prospects

Graduates of Loyola’s Drama programme go into a wide range of theatre-related and transferable careers. Common pathways include professional acting, directing, stage management, dramaturgy and design for stage, film and television. Technical graduates work as scenic, lighting or sound technicians and designers, or as production managers and technical directors.

Alumni also move into arts administration, producing, education and community-engaged theatre, or combine theatre skills with other fields such as marketing, media, counseling or nonprofit leadership. The programme’s emphasis on communication, collaboration and critical thinking prepares graduates for both freelance and institutional roles in the cultural sector.

Why study at Loyola University Chicago

Loyola offers theatre training within a Jesuit liberal-arts environment that emphasises critical reflection, ethical engagement and social responsibility. Students benefit from small ensemble-focused classes and frequent production opportunities in campus performance spaces, alongside mentoring from faculty who are active practitioners in the field.

Located in Chicago, the programme provides direct access to one of the country’s most vibrant theatre ecosystems, with opportunities for internships, collaborations and professional networking with resident companies and independent artists. Facilities such as scene and costume shops, black box theatres and technical labs support hands-on learning, while interdisciplinary partnerships across the university broaden career and academic pathways.