Comedy Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Theatre School

BFAEntertainment and Performing ArtsCreativity & InnovationCommunicationIn-Person
Admission to the Conservatory
An audition or an interview (depending on your program) is required for admission to The Theatre School; students must submit an application ​to DePaul University (naming their intended major) before they can begin the audition or interview process.
Visit the Theatre School
The Theatre School hosts both in-person and online events for prospective theatre students. Due to high demand, we unfortunately cannot accommodate walk-ins.

​​Earn your degree in comedy performance and writing

The Theatre School’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Comedy Arts prepares graduates to be performers, directors, and content creators through the academic study of the history, theory, and techniques of comedy as well as real-worldpractical experience. 

Through a combination of coursework and co-curricular performances both on-campus and in
professional Chicago comedy venues, the program’s pedagogy reflects the way comedians have learned their field for centuries: testing material in front of an audience, digesting their response and then learning to revise and rethink in order to be successful communicators and storytellers.

 At DePaul, we consider Chicago to be our classroom. As the nation’s premiere destination for live comedy, our classroom is hard to beat.

Classes

Coursework

  • Stand-up Comedy
  • Introduction to Improvisation
  • Directing Comedy
  • Artist as Entrepreneur
  • Physical Comedy

Career Options

Career
  • Stand-up Comedian
  • Comedy Writer
  • Content Creator Marketer
  • TV / Film Writer
  • Show Runner
  • Director / Producer
  • Entrepreneur
Featured Faculty

Our faculty a​r​​e working​​ comedians with specialties​ across the board. From professional standup​s, improvisers, and sketch comedians to artistic directors, managers, and consultants in the field of applied comedy, our faculty connects students to real-world experience and knowledge no matter what role in comedy they want to pursue.

Liz Joynt Sandberg
Theatre Studies
Head of Comedy Arts
347cbc9b84f860c4ee2f7560b7cc35d3d03e99ba.jpg

Request Information today, start your future tomorrow

Fill out this form.