CCPA offers a range of event days, institutes, and camps that are designed for high school and college-aged students, current CCPA students, and post-grad musicians.
Course Date (ARTL 360-10): May 26 – August 6, 2026
Instructor: Staff
Recommended Cohort: CCPA undergraduate students only
Course Description: This course complements off-site internship work for a performing arts organization with self-reflection, discussion, assessment, and further exploration of work experiences beyond those found in curricula. Assignments and discussions will contextualize the role of the individual within an arts organization, heighten the student’s understanding of the industry and structures, and provide tools for self-reflection and professional development.
Students may register for 1 to 3 credits. The student is responsible for securing an internship position with an organization, with approval of the position organization, and work site approved by the instructor. Traditionally, a minimum of 5 hours per week with the organization is required, and credit hours from 0 to 6, will be set based on the internship type and volume of work required.
Course Date (MUS 240-98): June 8–12, 2026
Course Format: Online (no set meeting time)
Instructor: Staff
Earned Credit Hours: 3
Recommended Cohort: °µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ undergraduate students (non-music majors) seeking to fulfill a humanities elective, fine arts elective, performing arts elective, and/or experiential learning requirement
Course Description: During this five-day intensive course, students will examine and reimagine the relationship of space and the performing arts through five questions, one of which frames each of our days. These questions will bring to light the different ways music defines space and space defines music. Students will use listening as a means of analyzing experiences and heightening awareness of relationships and interactions, calling attention to the sonic facets of socioeconomic, political, cultural, and racialized spaces.
Course Date (THAR 193-98): June 30 – August 3, 2026
Course Format: Online (no set meeting time)
Instructor: Jim Iorio
Recommended Cohort: All college students (part-time or full-time)
Earned Credit Hours: 3
Course Description: Course fulfills humanities general education requirement. Students will explore the process by which theatre is made and gain an understanding of the ability to evaluate the contributions of all the various collaborators in any performance event. With access to °µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ's Digital Theatre subscription, students will view and discuss performances of leading theatre practitioners from around the world.
Course Date (ARTM 450-01): June 15–19, 2026
Course Format: Face-to-Face
Instructor: Rudy Marcozzi
Recommended Cohort: ARTM majors only. Meets concurrently with ARTM 455.
Earned Credit Hours: 3
Course Description: Students will balance art, money, programming, adventure and risk with attracting and maintaining an audience and developing a healthy relationship between management and performing artists. The course will also integrate artistic department with the rest of the organization (i.e. the care and feeding of artists; developing an artistic philosophy).
Course Date: June 22–July 30, 2026
Course Format: Two-year, summer degree program; in-person on Chicago Campus
Instructor: Theatre Conservatory professors and working professionals
Recommended Cohort: Graduate Students
Course Description: °µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ’s Interdisciplinary Conservatory offers a Master of Arts in Theatre Directing, a graduate program tailored for early-career directors and theatre educators. This 18-month program is offered over two intensive six-week summer residencies and one asynchronous online course during the fall semester. Throughout the program, student-directors work closely with theatre professionals and educators from Chicago and beyond, gaining hands-on experience and industry insight.
For more details on the admission process and program standards, visit the Master's in Theatre Directing program page.
Course Date (THAR 401-01): June 22 – August 1, 2026
Course Format: Face-to-Face
Instructor: Jim Iorio
Recommended Cohort: Master’s in Theatre Directing fast-track students only
Earned Credit Hours: 3–4
Course Description: Students will study set, sound and costume design for the stage with a focus on analysis, practical application, theatre safety, innovative techniques, materials and the latest technologies.
Course Date (THAR 411-01): June 22 – August 1, 2026
Course Format: Face-to-Face
Instructor: Jim Iorio
Recommended Cohort: Master’s in Theatre Directing fast-track students only
Earned Credit Hours: 3–4
Course Description: Students will explore approaches to developing original dramatic material for productions: adapting from prose, poetry, and non-fiction; devising and developing performance pieces; and stimulating and shaping student writings.
Course Date (THAR 406-01): June 22 – August 1, 2026
Course Format: Face-to-Face
Instructor: Jim Iorio
Recommended Cohort: Master’s in Theatre Directing fast-track students only
Earned Credit Hours: 3
Course Description: Students will experience intensive physical work that explores a series of movement methodologies and specific stage combat techniques which can be used in the classroom and rehearsals.
Course Date (PERF 429-01): June 30 – August 3, 2026
Instructor: Staff
Recommended Cohort: Students enrolled in Professional Diploma in Opera
Earned Credit Hours: 1
Course Description: Performance and professional topics seminar for students enrolled in Professional Diploma in Opera.
Dates:
Workshop Format: Face-to-Face
Instructors:
Recommended Cohort: Designed for current and admitted CCPA collaborative piano students, advanced undergraduate pianists, and highly accomplished high school musicians.
Description: Hosted by the Chicago College of Performing Arts at °µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ in partnership with the North Shore Chamber Music Festival, the Art of Collaboration is an intensive program focused on instrumental collaborative piano. Participants work one-on-one with instrumentalists in a coaching-centered environment, developing the skills essential to successful collaboration and chamber music. Areas of focus include rehearsal technique, musical communication, score study, stylistic interpretation, and professional preparation. Workshops and coachings will take place at °µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ as well as Pianoforte Chicago.
Tuition: $550
Admission Requirements: