Chapman University

Chapman University's College of Performing Arts, located in Orange, California, has emerged as one of the most innovative and industry-connected performing arts programs in Southern California through its distinctive BFA in Screen Acting — a degree program specifically designed for actors who want to build careers in film and television rather than on stage. Chapman was founded in 1861 by members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and has grown from a small regional college into a prestigious private university with an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students and a growing national reputation, particularly in the arts. The BFA in Screen Acting was created in collaboration with Chapman's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, one of the most respected film schools in the country (alumni include the Duffer Brothers of Stranger Things and Parker Finn of Smile), creating a unique synergy between acting training and film production that mirrors the real-world entertainment industry. The program was founded by Professor John Benitz, with Assistant Professor Tom Provost playing a key role in developing the screen-focused curriculum, and has quickly established itself as a serious option for actors who want training calibrated specifically for the camera. Chapman's Orange County location places students approximately 30 miles from Hollywood in a beautiful, safe, suburban campus environment that offers the advantages of Southern California industry proximity without the intensity and expense of living in Los Angeles itself. In a testament to the program's growing industry success, 9 of the 2025 graduating seniors secured professional talent representation within three weeks of the Industry Showcase, demonstrating the program's effectiveness at launching professional careers.

In 2025, Chapman's BFA in Screen Acting operates as a specialized program that trains actors specifically for careers in film and television through a curriculum that differs fundamentally from traditional theater-based actor training. While most BFA programs are built around stage performance with on-camera work as a supplement, Chapman inverts this model — screen acting is the foundation, with students spending extensive time in front of cameras, learning the technical and artistic nuances of performing for film and television from their first year. The curriculum includes film directing, editing, film history, and screenwriting courses alongside core acting training — knowledge that gives Chapman actors a deeper understanding of the filmmaking process and makes them more effective, informed collaborators on set. The collaboration with Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is not just structural but practical — acting students regularly work on student films, providing both performance opportunities and the on-camera experience that builds professional demo reels during the training years. Students also receive thorough stage training, ensuring they are versatile performers who can work across all media, but the program's emphasis and expertise is unmistakably in screen performance. The College of Performing Arts produces multiple theatrical productions each year across Chapman's modern, well-equipped performance venues, giving students live performance experience that complements their on-camera work. The senior Industry Showcase is the program's culminating professional event, and its success in securing talent representation for graduates demonstrates the industry's recognition of Chapman-trained actors.

Admission to Chapman's BFA in Screen Acting requires a standard university application through the Common Application plus an artistic audition that evaluates talent, screen presence, and fit with the program's specialized focus. Auditions may include filmed monologues, cold reading exercises, and interviews with faculty who are assessing not just acting ability but the specific qualities that translate to effective screen performance. Some Chapman BFA performing arts programs have acceptance rates as low as 1% (Musical Theatre), and while the Screen Acting program's specific rate is not published separately, it is highly competitive due to limited class sizes and strong applicant interest. Chapman's overall university acceptance rate is approximately 55%, reflecting the university's selective but accessible admissions philosophy. Academic credentials carry significant weight alongside the audition, as Chapman values students who will engage intellectually with the curriculum's film studies, directing, and screenwriting components. Merit scholarships and financial aid are available, with Chapman's growing endowment supporting increasingly competitive financial aid packages. The program actively recruits students who demonstrate screen presence, emotional authenticity, and the intellectual curiosity needed to engage with the program's unique blend of performance and filmmaking education.

The four-year BFA curriculum is structured around the principle that effective screen actors need to understand not just acting technique but the entire filmmaking process — from how directors think to how editors construct performances to how screenwriters build characters. Core acting training covers technique through multiple methodologies, voice and speech, movement, and scene study, but the distinctive courses include film directing (so actors understand what directors are looking for), editing (so actors understand how performances are assembled in post-production), film history (so actors have a visual and narrative vocabulary), and screenwriting (so actors can analyze scripts with a writer's understanding of structure and character). Extensive on-camera coursework runs throughout the four years, with students working in professional-quality studios and on location to develop the technical and artistic skills specific to screen performance — understanding camera angles, matching for continuity, modulating performance for different shot sizes, and the technical discipline that on-set work demands. Collaboration with Dodge College film students provides ongoing opportunities to perform in student films, building both experience and demo reel material. The program includes a Business of Acting course that covers the practical realities of building a screen acting career — agents, managers, casting, headshots, self-taping, and the business infrastructure that working actors need. The senior Industry Showcase is carefully prepared and strategically positioned to connect graduating students with agents, managers, and casting directors in the Los Angeles market.

Chapman attracts actors who are specifically interested in screen performance and who recognize that the skills needed for effective film and television acting are distinct from, though related to, traditional stage technique. The program's alumni are beginning to build visible careers in the entertainment industry, aided by their connection to the broader Chapman and Dodge College alumni network that includes the Duffer Brothers (Stranger Things), Parker Finn (Smile), Hannah Einbinder (Hacks), and Justin Simien (Dear White People, Haunted Mansion). The student body tends to be academically strong, artistically ambitious, and industry-aware — drawn to Chapman's screen-specific approach and its proximity to the Los Angeles entertainment market. The Orange County campus provides a distinctly different student experience than urban LA programs — it is a traditional, beautiful college campus with a strong sense of community, campus life, and personal safety that some students prefer to the intensity of city living. The performing arts community at Chapman is collaborative and supportive, with small enough class sizes that faculty know students individually and provide personalized guidance. The growing success of Chapman graduates in securing professional representation and booking work demonstrates that the program's screen-focused approach is producing actors who are genuinely prepared for the realities of the film and television industry.

Tuition at Chapman University for the 2025-2026 academic year is approximately $64,984-$67,894 (including fees), with the total cost of attendance including room, board, books, and personal expenses reaching approximately $87,730 per year — placing it among the more expensive BFA options in the country. The average net price after financial aid is approximately $61,513, reflecting the reality that most students receive some form of support but the actual cost remains substantial. Chapman's growing endowment supports merit scholarships, talent awards, and need-based financial aid, and the university has invested in increasing financial accessibility as its profile has risen. Compared to other private university performing arts programs in the Southern California market, Chapman is competitive with USC ($67,503 tuition) and LMU ($61,867 tuition), though more expensive than public options like SDSU ($10,252 in-state). The Orange County cost of living is high but lower than living in central Los Angeles or West LA, providing some cost advantage over programs located in the heart of the city. Students should complete the FAFSA and any additional required financial aid forms early, communicate with Chapman's financial aid office about available performing arts scholarships, and explore external scholarship opportunities for screen acting students. The investment in a Chapman BFA should be weighed against the program's specific value proposition — specialized screen training in proximity to the industry — which may justify the cost for students whose career goals are clearly centered on film and television.

Chapman's BFA in Screen Acting is an excellent choice for actors who are clearly focused on careers in film and television and who want specialized training designed specifically for the screen rather than adapted from stage techniques. If you want to learn not just how to act but how filmmaking works — understanding the director's perspective, the editor's construction of performance, and the screenwriter's intent — Chapman offers an education that most acting programs do not. The program is particularly well-suited for students who want a traditional, beautiful college campus experience in Southern California rather than the intensity of urban LA programs. Actors whose primary interest is in stage performance, classical theater, or Broadway should consider programs with stronger theatrical foundations like Juilliard, Carnegie Mellon, or NYU Tisch. For comparable Southern California private university training at a lower cost, LMU offers a solid alternative with direct LA proximity. If you want screen-focused training at a public university price, SDSU or Cal State Fullerton provide significantly more affordable options. Chapman makes the most sense for students who can manage the cost and who want the specific combination of screen-focused acting training and filmmaking education that the program uniquely provides.

Maximize the Dodge College collaboration by actively seeking opportunities to perform in student films from your first year — the demo reel material you accumulate over four years of working with talented young filmmakers is one of the most valuable assets you will take from Chapman. Take the directing, editing, and screenwriting courses seriously even if you see yourself exclusively as an actor — the filmmaking literacy these courses provide will make you a more effective, informed performer on every set you work on throughout your career. Build relationships with Dodge College film students who share your artistic ambitions, as these peers may become the directors and producers who cast you in professional work after graduation. Prepare thoroughly for the senior Industry Showcase by developing a strong professional package — headshots, demo reel, and showcase material that demonstrates your screen-specific skills. Use Chapman's proximity to the Los Angeles market to attend industry events, take professional workshops, and begin building your professional network during your training years rather than waiting until graduation. Stay connected with the growing Chapman alumni network in the entertainment industry, as the university's rising profile means an expanding community of professionals who share your educational background and may be sources of mentorship and opportunity.