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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.  

Applications for 2026 will open on August 1, 2025. 
Degrees
Five accelerated BFA degrees which 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. The Conservatory at Stephens College follows the approved criteria of MTCP. 
  • Portfolios are required for BFA Filmmaking, Theatrical Costume Design and Technical Theatre & Stage Management.
  • The Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies BFA does not require an audition or portfolio.  Submit a resume and statement of purpose.
  • The MFA in TV & Screenwriting requires a resume, statement of purpose, and writing sample.
Submit media for the program of your choice. Musical Theatre applicants will automatically be considered for placement in the Acting BFA.  You do not need to submit two applications. 


2.  Financial Aid 

  • Submit your FAFSA to Stephens College (code 002512).
  • All applicants are automatically considered for talent award scholarships.
  • The Promise Program provides 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 participate in a variety of professional-grade productions, while studying with working professionals, including veterans of Broadway, Film, and Television.  

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


Faculty

  • Lisa Brescia (SAG/AFTRA, AEA) - Broadway: Dear Evan Hanson, Mamma Mia!, Wicked, Aid, The Woman in White, Jesus Christ Superstar | Off-Broadway: Ordinary Days  | Interim Dean of the Conservatory
  • John Hemphill (SAG/AFTRA, AEA) - Broadway: Redwood, Mamma Mia!, School of Rock, Dear Evan Hansen, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, numerous national commercials and TV shows | Assistant Professor of Acting
  • Jamey Grisham (SAG/AFTRA, AEA) - Recipient of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Foundation Observership; Director of Theatre at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp | 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-lyricist, renowned teacher of Acting-Thru-Song for the Broadway community for 25 years | Acting instructor
  • Montana Carlson - Costume Director, Norwegian Cruise Lines; Costume Designer at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre | Assistant Professor of Costume Design
  • Chase Thompson - Filmmaker, musician, photographer, writer, and artist | Program Chair and Associate Professor of Filmmaking 
  • Rosanne Welch - Television writer and author | 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

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 30,000 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 scenes. 


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 >