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The Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College

1200 East Broadway, Columbia, Missouri, 65201, United States

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The Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College welcomes artists of all gender identities.  

We are still accepting submissions for the Fall 2025 cohort in all BFA tracks.  

Conservatory faculty determine admittance based on submitted materials. 

The Conservatory at Stephens College follows the approved criteria of MTCP.  Use the guidelines below to submit your audition or portfolio: 

Degrees
Our accelerated BFA degrees are completed in three years/two summers (eight semesters).

Four year BFA

Low-Residency 2 year MFA



How to Apply:

1. Submit Your Materials:
Auditions are required for BFA Acting and Musical Theatre.
Design portfolios are required for BFA Theatrical Costume Design and Technical Theatre & Stage Management.
The Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies and Filmmaking BFA require a resume and statement of purpose.
The MFA in TV & Screenwriting requires a resume, statement of purpose and writing sample.

Submit your media for the program of your choice.


2.  Financial Aid 

  • Submit your your FAFSA to The Conservatory at Stephens College for a renewable $1,000 scholarship (code 002512)
  • All applicants are considered for Stars Talent Award scholarships
  • The Promise Program - will provide up to four years of tuition funding for eligible full-time students whose adjusted family income does not exceed $75,000 annually.  Learn more here


Questions


The Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College is a premier training ground with a focus on rigorous artistic and academic excellence. This immersive program is designed to cultivate the next generation of creative leaders. Students benefit from small class sizes, personalized instruction, and countless opportunities to perform in a variety of professional-grade productions, while studying with working professionals, including veterans of Broadway and Film/TV. 

The Conservatory equips students with the skills, experience, industry knowledge, and confidence to compete in the competitive world of performance and design.


Faculty

  • Jennifer Hemphill (AEA, SDC) - Broadway: Mamma Mia!, National Tours, concerts, regional theatre | Dean of the Conservatory for the Performing Arts
  • John Hemphill (SAG/AFTRA, AEA) - Broadway: Mamma Mia! and School of Rock, Dear Evan Hansen and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, numerous national commercials and TV shows | Assistant Professor of Acting
  • Lisa Brescia (SAG/AFTRA, AEA) - Broadway: Dear Even Hanson, Mamma Mia!, Wicked, Aida | Associate Professor of Acting
  • Darren Gibson (AEA) - Feld Ballet NYC, Broadway: Movin’ Out, On the Town, Fosse | Assistant Professor of Dance
  • Jamey Grisham (SAG/AFTRA, AEA) - recipient of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Foundation Observership, head of Acting for the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School | Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre
  • Nollie Moore - Classic vocal specialist, member of Kentucky Harmony and Vox Nova | Associate Professor of Voice
  • Craig Carnelia - Tony & Drama Desk Award nominee, Broadway composer, renowned acting through song instructor | Acting instructor
  • Zach Humes - Designer, technical director; Theatre de la Jeune Lune, La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theater | Assistant Professor of Theatrical Design
  • Montana Carlson - Costume Director, Norwegian Cruise Lines; Costume Designer at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre | Assistant Professor of Costume Design
  • Rosanne Welch - Writing credits include Beverly Hills 90210, Picket Fences, ABC News: Nightline and Touched by an Angel | Executive Director of the MFA in TV and Screenwriting
  • Chase Thompson - Filmmaker, musician, photographer, writer, and artist | Program Chair for Film 

Full Faculty Bios >


Location
The Conservatory for the Performing Arts is located on the Stephens College campus in the arts-immersive environment of Columbia, Missouri, home to more than 36,000 students and rated one of the best college towns in the country. 

Campus
Our beautiful, historic campus is known as one of the pet-friendliest colleges in the country.  Our programs prepare you intellectually, artistically and practically to be leaders on stage, in film, television and behind the curtain. 


Some Notable Alumni

  • Heather Ayers -- Broadway: Groundhog Day, A Little Night Music, Young Frankenstein, Our Town
  • Becca Ayers -- Broadway: My Fair Lady, The Addams Family, South Pacific, Les Miserables, Avenue Q
  • Annie Potts -- Young Sheldon, Ghostbusters, Pretty in Pink
  • Stephanie Beatriz -- In the Heights and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Encanto 
  • Mark Taylor -- High School Musical, NCIS, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, The Rocketeer, Grey's Anatomy 
  • Elizabeth Mitchell - Once Upon A Time, The Purge: Election Year,  The Santa Clauses, Outer Banks
  • Susie McMonagle -- Multiple productions of note in the Chicago market and national Broadway tours
  • Brianna Firestone -- Director of Marketing, Insights & Strategy at Denver Center for the Performing Arts
  • Jacob Sampson -- Props Artisan, Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, CA
  • Brandy Lee Hatcher -- Entertainment Documentation & Auditing Manager at Disney Parks Live Entertainment
  • Jennie Greenberry -- Oregon Shakespeare, Guthrie Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
  • Karyn Meek -- Stage Manager: The Lion King, Hello, Dolly! National Tour
  • Mariah Lee -- Too Kill A Mockingbird
  • Dawn Wells -- Gilligan's Island
  • Carlos Carrasco -- Film, Television and Video Game Actor
More Performing Arts Alumni >