PERFORMING ARTS

Columbia is situated in a city where the performing arts are celebrated and valued. Artists and audiences alike flock to Chicago for its gritty storefront scene where risk-taking and experimentation are the order of the day. From Second City to Steppenwolf; The Joffrey Ballet to Hubbard Street; our faculty and alumni are sought-after performers who are practicing their craft in a world-class setting unlike any other.

College Magazine named Columbia the #1 college for aspiring comedians—our Comedy Writing and Performance program features a full semester in residence at famed incubator of funny, Second City.

Aidy Bryant ’09 Phoenix, AZ

“This is where I cut my teeth. It helped me discover who I was as a performer.” You might know her from the decade she spent on Saturday Night Live, but as a student at Columbia, Aidy spent her days taking theatre courses and her nights performing in Chicago’s famous improv scene. Bryant has collected four Emmy nominations for her work on SNL and her show Shrill.