School Selections
University of California-Irvine
The University of California-Irvine's Department of Drama helps connect academics with the world of professional theatre. The department offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, preparing students for leading roles on stage, with honors programs in acting, directing, design, stage management and dramatic literature, history and theory. Students have the opportunity to take part in the New York Satellite program, spending four weeks living in New York, attending workshops with Broadway directors and actors and immerse themselves in the theatre culture. A Master of Fine Arts is offered in acting, directing, stage management and design. Scholarships include the Steve Lyle Memorial Scholarship ($2,000), Bette and Steven Warner Scholarship (varies) and H.B. and Isabelle Yolen Memorial Scholarship ($2,000).
30,836 Students
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Individual mentorship and high-quality productions are the cornerstone of the University of Minnesota-Duluth's Department of Theatre. The school offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts, both with ample opportunities to create extensive portfolios and resumes. From standing in the spotlight to running the spotlight, there are ample opportunities for practical training. Students may specialize in acting, musical theatre, stage management or technical areas. In addition to the UMD Theatre, students have organized Stage II to foster production experience for students. The department also takes part in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival each year, with two of the school's five festival productions written by students. The department offers a new student talent scholarship (awards vary).
10,878 Students
Texas A & M University-College Station
The Department of Performance Arts at Texas A&M-College Station integrates performance production with its theatre curriculum, with students taking the role of theatre apprentice throughout their studies. The department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts, with courses in all areas of theatre performance and production. The Blueprint Theatre Company is a student-run summer theatre that allows students to apply what they've learned in the classroom on the stage, with an annual Student New Works Festival each spring semester. The department frequently collaborates with other areas of the campus to produce new works and creative reimaginings of classic works as well.
63,813 Students
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Department of Dramatic Art at the University of North Caroline-Chapel Hill collaborates with the PlayMakers Repertory Company, a professional theatre, to enhance its comprehensive Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts, Master of Fine Arts and interdisciplinary minor. Students focus on performance, design, production, dramaturgy and writing for the screen and stage. Students in the professional MFA acting program train with resident instructors and guest professionals and serve as the core members of the PlayMakers company, which presents six shows each season in the Paul Green Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art. The school presents the Lillian Chason Scholarship to undergraduates (awards vary).
29,084 Students
University of California-Los Angeles
The UCLA School of theater, Film and Television develops storytellers to entertain and inspire through its Bachelor of Arts in Theater, Master of Fine Arts in acting, directing and playwriting, Master of Arts in theater and professional programs. The comprehensive bachelor's program provides a base in all areas of theater, while allowing students to specialize in areas of interest. Students take part in a Summer Undergraduate Theater Laboratory and the theater internships that offer immersive field experiences. The Arts Bridge program pairs students with teachers in under-served schools to expand arts programs. More than 300 scholarships are awarded by the department each year, including the Justin Matthew Carmack Memorial Scholarship, the Dorothy Bock Memorial Award, and the Hal Kanter Comedy Writing Award.
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
41,908 Students
University of Illinois at Chicago
Dramatically inclined UIC undergrads have three options: a BA in Theatre and Performance; a BA in Theatre Design, Production and Technology; and a BFA in Acting. Majors can benefit from summer internships with the prestigious Steppenwolf Theatre Company (co-founded by Gary Sinise) or Lookingglass Theatre Company (co-founded by David Schwimmer). Back on campus, the department offers six awards, including the Michael Gross Scholarship, so named for a prominent alumni. Students with Federal Work Study awards can also score department assistantships, perhaps working in the box office or grading papers.
29,048 Students
Vassar College
Students working toward a BA in Drama at Vassar have several facilities at their disposal within the Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film, including Streep Studio, named after the department's most famous alumnus. The department participates in the Ford Scholars Program at Vassar College; faculty-student research teams have won funding for two projects since the program's inception in 2004. Though the Annual Marilyn Swartz Seven '69 Playwriting Competition is not exclusive to drama students, they have an obvious advantage in winning the $1,000 award. And upperclassmen can also apply to the Friedman '41 Career Development Fund for Students of Drama, Film, Literature and the Visual Arts; money received is used for a project that fuels their professional goals.
2,435 Students
University of California-Riverside
The BA in Theatre, Film, and Digital Production allows for a General Theatre Track. Students who take it to nurture their interests in theatre technology or management are eligible for scholarships pulled from the David Kellstrand Student Support Fund. For thespians, there's the Eric Barr Acting Award and the Chancellor's Performance Award. In terms of performing, some of the gigs pay. Undergrads accepted to the Gluck Fellows Program receive $1,000 to teach, lead workshops or perform for local, underserved communities. Graduate students won't get on stage, but the department's MFA in Creative Writing and Writing for the Performing Arts keeps them in the game and provides funding through teaching assistantships and fellowships.
21,385 Students
University of California-San Diego
The Department of Theatre and Dance at UC San Diego offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in theatre and in dance, as well as a double major in both. Undergraduates have the opportunity to be a part of three theatrical productions each year as actors, designers, or stage managers. They can also audition for graduate productions, including those directed by eminent guest artists. On the graduate level, Master of Fine Arts degrees are available in several fields, including theatre and acting. There is also a joint Doctor of Philosophy program in drama and theatre with UC Irvine. As part of the Division of Arts & Humanities, upper division theatre majors can apply for the Gregory T. Bryan Scholarship (up to $2,000/year).
32,906 Students
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Department of Theatre Arts and Dance helps students hone their craft through classroom work, production opportunities and one-to-one projects. The school offers six performance spaces where fully produced projects are staged throughout the year. The program's Creative Collaboration offers the chance to work with other students and faculty on research of original works or re-imagining of classic texts. Degrees offered include a Bachelor of Arts Theatre, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in actor training, a Master of Fine Arts in design and technology and a Master of Arts and PhD. Scholarships include the BA Theatre Arts Program and BFA Actor Training Program Recruitment Scholarships ($1,000 to $6,000).
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
50,678 Students
Buffalo State SUNY
Buffalo State offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theater that provides students with a background in all aspects of theater and allows them to concentrate in acting, directing/dramaturgy, design/technical, or general study. To earn the degree, students must earn at least 42 credits in the major, including classes in acting, theater history, and directing. All students must take at least four practicums, a reflection of the Theater Department's philosophy that students learn best by working in theater. Undergrads can achieve a theater minor with 19 credits. The department mounts a variety of mainstage and smaller productions annually and has use of several well-equipped theater spaces, including a 400-seat theater and a black box space.
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
10,330 Students
SUNY College at Oswego
The State University of New York-Oswego Theatre Department provides a liberal arts education and a strong foundation in the theatre. Students can concentrate their studies in acting and directing, design and technical theatre, history and criticism, and music theatre. A least four major student-led productions are staged each year, with opportunities for more experimental productions available as well. Students regularly participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and work with community arts programs through the ARTSwego performing arts series. Workshops with visiting artists, internships and study abroad opportunities supplement the rigorous curriculum. Each year, the department offers the John and Ida Mincher Scholarship ($1,000), the Diane Luckey Ouckama Memorial scholarship ($400) and the Kathleen Pendergast Memorial Scholarship ($475).
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
7,937 Students
University of California-Berkeley
The Department of Theater and Performance Studies at the University of California Berkeley grants bachelor's degrees and a Ph.D. Undergrads start with a foundation in the basics, including technical theory and design. Students can develop a specialty in an area such as directing, playwriting or acting through their choice of courses, capstone, and extracurricular activities. Students interested in the acting program must audition for entry into each course, including senior-year classes to prepare for graduate school or professional auditions. Students can also hone their skills by joining theater department productions and by taking classes and workshops with artists-in-residence. The Ph.D. in Performance Studies is a five-year program that allows each candidate to develop a custom area of emphasis.
38,189 Students
University of California-Davis
Students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Art program offered by the Department of Theatre and Dance at UC Davis can choose to concentrate in either theatre or dance. Coursework covers topics such as theatre, performance, and culture, performing arts production management, principles of theatrical design (scenery, lighting, and costume), small scale film production, and principles of playwriting. The Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Art degree offered by the department can be completed with two years of study. The department also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Performance Studies. As part of the College of Letters and Science, Dramatic Arts majors can apply for the Carolyn F. Wall Scholarship and the James & Leta Fulmor Scholarship.
35,186 Students
Westfield State University
Students in the Theatre Arts Program at Westfield State hop onto one of three tracks to a bachelor's degree: there's the Performance track for actors, the Design/Technology track for those who aspire to off-stage roles in productions, and the Theatre Studies track for those who want to get extra creative and plot their own route. Of course, those within the department get hands-on experience - Student Theatre Association (STA) members direct and produce 2 one-act plays each year. Those stand in addition to faculty-guided department productions. For those who prefer to sing their lines, the Musical Theatre Guild has been active on campus since 1976. It gives an annual scholarship to members with financial need.
6,496 Students
Barnard College
Students majoring in theatre at Barnard College study theater and performance as well as intellectual and critical traditions in the field. Students may concentrate in drama and theatre studies, acting, design, directing, dramaturgy, or playwriting. All majors must complete a senior thesis, which could be a written paper based on original research or an original creative work in playwriting, acting, directing or design. The college holds a senior thesis festival each spring where directing, playwriting and solo performance theses are presented. At the start of each semester, the college holds auditions for all classes that require an audition for admission and also for all stage productions scheduled for the term. Barnard grants a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre.
2,548 Students
SUNY College at Oneonta
The Theatre Department at SUNY Oneonta offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in theatre. The BA program is designed for students who want to study theatre within the context of a general liberal arts education. Students who wish to concentrate on a special area of theatre are advised to enroll in the BS program. The department also o, which can accommodate up to 487 patrons, and the Hamblin Theatre, a black box performance space. There are also well-equipped costume and scenery shops, several office, teaching, and studio spaces, and dressing room facilities. Oneonta's theatre program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
6,119 Students
Appalachian State University
Theater majors at Appalachian State can chose from four concentrations: Design/Technology, Theater Education, Performance, or a general degree that allows the student to take courses in acting, technical theater, direction, theater history and management skills. The program provides ample opportunity for students to work on productions, with the school producing four faculty-directed shows each year, two performances that tour local schools, a freshman showcase, and a showcase of student written plays. Other productions, such as shows with small casts and co-productions with guest artists, are also scheduled. The theater education program is accredited and ASU theater grads who earn a teaching license in theater education can teach in 40 states.
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
17,932 Students
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The faculty of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst Department of Theater tailors courses to the needs and strengths of students, focusing on mentorship. The school offers a Bachelor of Arts in theatre, a Master of Fine Arts with concentrations in directing, dramaturgy, costume design, lighting design and scenic design, and a Multicultural Theater Practice Certificate. The school's participation in the Five College Consortium with liberal arts colleges in the area allows students to take courses from these area colleges and participate in theatrical performances outside the university. All graduate students receive full, paid assistantships worth more than $16,000, while the Susan M. and Larry G. Benedict Scholarship Endowment offers support to undergraduates (awards vary).
29,269 Students
Saint Cloud State University
The Department of Theatre and Film Studies at St. Cloud State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and an undergraduate minor in theatre. The B.A. in Theatre is available in three concentrations: a generalist concentration, a design/tech concentration and an acting/directing concentration. Students in all three concentrations complete 52 to 53 credits of coursework, including 22 credits of required major courses and 6 credits of electives. Theatre students can also participate in student organizations like Dramatic Action, which provides assistance to the Department during auditions, performances and festivals. Scholarships available to theatre students include the Theatre Endowed Scholarship and the $1,000 Marge Hams Memorial Scholarship for Theatre Students.
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
16,096 Students
Michigan Technological University
Michigan Tech offers two undergraduate majors related to theater. Theater and electronic media performance is for students interested in the performance side of the business, and students learn to work in various media, including on stage, in front of TV cameras, and as voice talent for video games. The theater and entertainment technology major is for students who want to work backstage, including lighting, costumes, makeup, and sound technology. Michigan Tech hass a range of performing arts talent awards that incomding students can audition for. The amount of these awards varies.
7,218 Students
California State University-Long Beach
CSU Long Beach offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree with a general concentration as well as concentrations in performance and in technical theatre (scenery, lighting, and costume and makeup). The university's location at the hub of the entertainment industry in southern California gives students access to a variety of internships and professional development opportunities. The Master of Fine Arts program offers concentrations in acting and in design. There is also an MBA/MFA in Theatre Management program available. A number of scholarships (with varying award amounts) are available to theatre majors, including the Amy and Harvey Waggoner Scholarship (performing arts majors), Flora & Jerome Loeb Endowed Scholarship (MBA/MFA students), and the Fred Korbus Scholarship for Theatre Techs (stage design majors).
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
37,446 Students
McDaniel College
McDaniel College offers an undergraduate major in theater arts, as well as undergraduate minors in theater arts, interactive theater and acting. The theater arts major curriculum requires 46 major credits, including three core courses, two courses related to theater texts and traditions, lower and upper-level courses in the subjects of acting, production and interactive theater, lab courses and theater writing courses. The theater arts minor requires 24 credits of coursework, while the acting minor and the interactive theater minors require 30 and 34 credits, respectively. Theater arts students also have the opportunity to complete internships with professional theater groups or with the Theater Arts Department, participate in Department productions and complete special and directed studies courses, in which they work closely with a supervising faculty member.
3,003 Students
Winona State University
Winona State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree that is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). The curriculum consists of coursework that provide theatre majors with a well-rounded education in drama. Required courses include introduction to technical theatre, play analysis, beginning acting, design communication, play directing, and theatre history and drama literature. Theatre majors have a number of scholarship options to which they can apply. Some of these include the following: Henry March Scholarship ($2,000 per year; renewable for a total of eight consecutive semesters), Bill & Brother William Koutsky Theatre and Dance Scholarship ($1,000 per year; renewable for one additional year only), and the Thomas Leuchtenberg Theatre and Dance Scholarship ($1,500; non-renewable).
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
8,490 Students
SUNY at Albany
Theater majors at SUNY University at Albany study all aspects of theater, including acting, design, technology, history, and management to gain a well-rounded understanding of the disciple. All theater students are required to work on several productions to gain hands-on experience in producing a show and develop new skills. The Theater Department, one of the oldest in the nation, has access to six performance spaces, ranging from a 830-seat auditorium to intimate spaces that seat fewer than 200 people. Productions range from classic plays to musicals to readings of new works. All theater faculty are also working theater professionals. The department gives out several annual awards, including the Agnes Futterer Award for outstanding graduating senior.
17,178 Students
Stony Brook University
Past and future both come into play in the Stony Brook Theater Department, where students study past traditions and the history of theater and are also exposed to the latest technology and innovative new works. Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts study all aspects of theater, including acting, directing, stagecraft, history and theory. Master of Art students write, produce and direct their own works and serve as dramaturgs for department productions. New York City is just a short train ride away, allowing Stony Brook students to see the best of professional theater. With two black box theaters and a main stage on campus, students may take part in a variety of productions.
25,272 Students
Castleton University
Castleton University's Department of Theater Arts grants bachelor's and master's degrees in theater. Undergrads can choose from two concentrations: acting and directing or technical theater and design. A theater education minor is also available. The Master of Arts in Theater is a one-year residential program that combines coursework with hands-on work on theater productions. Students at all levels have the chance to work on stage, backstage, in costume shops, and otherwise hone their craft. Recent productions have ranged from Shakespeare to a rock musical. Theater majors are eligible for the John F. Cross Scholarship, which is awarded based on need and talent.
2,246 Students
University of California-Santa Barbara
The Bachelor of Arts in Theater program at UC Santa Barbara offers concentrations in design, directing, playwriting, theater and community, and theater and performance studies. A Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting degree is also available. This program follows a conservatory-style format and trains students for a professional career in acting. The university offers Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in theater. There are two minors available - a minor in theater and another in production and design. Theater majors can apply for the Stanley Glenn Scholarship in Dramatic Art and the Dilling Yang Fellowship in Dramatic Art. All doctoral students typically receive a minimum of three years of financial assistance in the form of teaching assistantships and fellowships.
23,497 Students
University of Florida
The University of Florida's School of Theatre and Dance prepares students to enter the performing arts profession with a strong background in the liberal arts and practical experience. A Bachelor of Arts in general theatre is offered, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre and Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts in acting, costume design, lighting design, scene design and dance. Opportunities to take part in mainstage and informal student or professional productions help provide real-world experience and build a student's professional portfolio. Internships are also offered. Scholarships include the Mark W. Stoughton Theatre Scholarship Fund, ($500), Jim Richardson Memorial Theatre Scholarship Fund ($1,000) and the University of Florida Friends of Theater and Dance ($750).
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
50,645 Students
Berea College
Berea College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, as well as an undergraduate theatre minor. The B.A. in Theatre includes four core courses in subjects like script analysis, acting and visual concepts for stage. Students are also required to complete a senior theatre project and three seminar courses. Students enrolling in the theatre major are encouraged to participate in the Theatre Laboratory, the College's play production organization, which puts on a full season of plays annually. Additionally, theatre majors can participate in Alpha Psi Omega (APO), a national honor society for outstanding students in theatrical performance, technical theatre and service.
1,643 Students
SUNY at Binghamton
Drama students can earn a Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts in Theatre at Binghamton University, which also offers a combined program that leads to a B.A. in Theatre and a Master of Public Administration. Students in the undergraduate program can choose to concentrate in Acting/Directing, Dance, or Design/Technical Theatre. The M.A. in Theatre is a four-semester program that allows a candidate to pursue a general degree or choose a concentration in Directing, Theory and Criticism, Performance, or Technical Production and Design. The master's thesis can be a scholarly written project, or it can be a studio production or conceptualization of a production. The Theatre Department mounts five mainstage productions and a variety of studio shows each year.
16,913 Students
SUNY at Fredonia
SUNY Fredonia's Department of Theatre and Dance offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in general theatre studies and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in acting, theatrical production and design, and in musical theatre. The BA in General Theatre Studies program considers students for admission without an audition or portfolio review. Admission to the BFA programs requires an audition and/or portfolio review. All programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). There are four major scholarships available to students enrolled in the department: Jack L. Cogdill Scholarship, Walter l. Gloor Scholarship, Gertrude Prushaw Maytum Scholarship, and the Georgina von Tornow Endowment. These scholarships award full tuition waiver for a semester or a full year to qualified students.
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
4,842 Students
Michigan State University
Students wishing a broad overview of theater can pursue a Bachelor in Theater at Michigan State to prepare for an entry-level job or graduate school. Students who are sure they want a career in the field can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts or a Master of Fine Arts in either acting or design. BFA and MFA students are admitted based on an audition or portfolio. Along with campus productions, MSU students can be involved with the Williamston Theatre, an Equity theater run by an MSU grad in Williamston, Michigan. The College of Arts and Letters offers a number of scholarships and awards, including the Ryder Scholarship for study abroad and the Outstanding Senior Achievement Award ($1,000).
50,538 Students
CUNY Queens College
Drama majors at CUNY Queens College get a well-rounded overview of theater and the dramatic arts, taking courses in theater history, literature, acting, directing, stage management, design and technical theater, leading to a Bachelors degree. After learning in the classroom, students can put their skills to practice on the university's three stages, where at least five complete productions are presented each year. In addition to performing in classic and modern comedies, dramas and musicals, students also have the chance to produce and direct the work of others under the supervision of Queens College faculty. Drama students are eligible for financial awards such as the John Darren Scholarship in Technical Design, which is given annually as a stipend.
19,520 Students
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The theatre department at UNC - Greensboro offers several degrees: a B.A. in Drama; B.F.A.s in Acting, Design and Theatre Technology, Technical Production, and Theatre Education; as well as M.F.A.s in Acting, Design, Directing, and Theatre for Youth. Students in the theatre department are able to obtain professional connections, and acting and drama students participate in an annual New York Showcase. Almost all participants in the Showcase are signed by talent agencies or theatrical producers. Scholarships and assistantships are given to some undergraduate students within the theatre department. The theatre department has three different venues on campus where students participate in professional-level productions through the school year and summer months.
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
19,393 Students
Towson University
Towson University's Department of Theater Arts offers a B.F.A. in Acting, a B.A. or B.S in Theater Arts, an undergraduate minor in theater arts and an M.F.A. in Theater Arts. The B.F.A. in Acting requires 28 credits of core courses, 58 credits in theater and 30 credits in acting. The B.A./B.S. program in theater arts offers two tracks of study: a design and production track and a theater studies track. The M.F.A. in Theater Arts is a cohort program that requires 60 credits of coursework, which can be completed in 24 months. Curriculum coursework is completed in performance, design/tech, theory, writing, entrepreneurship, synthesis and also includes thesis/project requirements. All three theater arts programs at Towson are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
22,284 Students
California State University-Fullerton
The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts program at Cal State Fullerton has three areas of concentration: applied studies in theatre, specialized studies in theatre, and teaching. Students who choose the specialized studies in theatre concentration can further select a field of emphasis in design and technical production, directing, or playwriting. There is also a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts degree available with a concentration in either acting or musical theatre. Cal State Fullerton offers a Master of Fine Arts degree with concentrations in acting, design and technical production, or directing. Students can apply for a number of scholarships, including the Jerry and Merilyn Goodwin Musical Theatre Scholarship ($650) and the Kennedy/Zeballos Scholarship in Design & Technical Theatre ($500).
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
38,948 Students
Northwest Missouri State University
The Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Northwest Missouri State University offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in theatre, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in speech/theatre education. B.S. students can choose from concentrations in performance or technical theatre and design. Students in the theatre B.S. program are not required to complete a minor, while students in the theatre B.A. program are required to complete a minor. Theatre students have the opportunity to participate in numerous theatre productions each year, including the Freshman-Transfer Showcase, which is a mainstage production for all first-year students. Students can also participate in student-run lab series productions, as well as musicals that take place every other even year.
6,593 Students
CUNY City College
City College of New York offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre that allows students to choose a track to guide their electives within the degree. Available tracks include acting, design and technical theatre, directing, musical theatre, playwriting, and theatre history and dramatic literature. To earn the B.A., students must take at least 40 credits in theatre classes. CCNY theatre majors have many opportunities to be involved in theatre at the university, which produces four to six stage productions annually and sponsors a one-act play festival for productions headed by advanced directing students. Students also have the opportunity to act in films produced by students in the film program and to submit their plays for possible production.
15,778 Students
CUNY Hunter College
Theatre majors at Hunter College take classes in all aspects of the field, including history, theory, acting, directing, playwriting, and children's theatre. To earn their degree, undergraduates also must work on college theatre productions. Thanks to the college's location, the Theatre Department has links to many local theatres, and undergrads may be able to work as an apprentice or intern for a professional theatre group. At the graduate level, Hunter offers a Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting and a flexible Master of Arts in Theatre that students can tailor to meet their needs and interests. Master's level theatre classes meet on weekday evenings. The department awards the LoBianco Scholarship ($2,500) to two undergraduate students each year.
22,918 Students
The Drama Department at Texas Woman's University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Drama along with a Teaching Certificate in Theatre Arts, a Master of Arts in Drama, and an Online-Hybrid Master of Arts in Drama. Drama majors also have the opportunity to earn a Music Theatre Certificate along with their degree. This requires them to participate in directing, performance, and history courses which will prepare them to work in both educational and professional music theatre setting. Students may qualify for scholarships like the Drama Program Scholarship, the Charles E. Harrill Endowed Scholarship, the Betty King-Drama, the Joan Rutledge McDaniel Scholarship, and more.
15,286 Students
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The Department of Theatre at the UNC Charlotte offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree with three concentration areas - design and production, theatre studies, and theatre education. The theatre education concentration requires additional coursework available through the College of Education. The curriculum includes specialized courses that qualify graduates for K-12 teacher licensure in North Carolina. Theatre majors have access to the university's premiere performing arts venue - the Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts. Within this venue are two smaller performance spaces - the Anne R. Belk Theatre, a proscenium-style stage that seats 340 patrons, and the Lab Theatre, a black box space that can seat 125 patrons. Qualified students are considered for the Department Merit Scholarships ($500-$2,000) and the Ira Yarmolenko Scholarship ($1,000-$2,000).
27,983 Students
CUNY Brooklyn College
With its location in New York City, Brooklyn College is able to secure internships for its theater students with prestigious organizations such as the New York Shakespeare Festival, and many theater faculty members also work in Broadway or off-Broadway theaters. Undergrads may earn a Bachelor of Arts in Theater or a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting or Design & Technical Theater. Graduate students can earn a Master of Arts in Theater or specialize with a Master of Fine Arts in Acting, Design and Technical Production, Directing, Performing Arts Management, or Theater History and Criticism. About 80 percent of graduate theater students receive scholarships. Scholarships include the Marvin Kaplan Scholarship ($1,000), for a student involved in comedy entertainment.
17,410 Students
SUNY College at Plattsburgh
The State University of New York-Plattsburgh's Department of Theatre encourages students to get involved with all aspects of theatre production. The Bachelor of Arts program is a generalist program, providing a strong foundation in all areas of the theatre as well as critical analysis and historical perspective. Coursework is augmented by participation in the mainstage shows produced each year, with students earning credits for onstage and behind-the-scenes work. A senior project serves to highlight skills and knowledge, with projects that include an original script, recitals, directing or scholarly research. Scholarship opportunities include the Alpha Psi Omega honor society scholarship, the Dr. Charles and Ruth Kline Theatre Arts Scholarship and the Excellence in Theatre Award (amounts vary).
5,718 Students
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a concentration in performance, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a Concentration in Design/Tech. Admission to the school does not guarantee admission into the theatre program, and students who enter as freshmen are considered pre-majors. In order to become theatre majors, students must have a 2.5 GPA at least, and students must complete specific courses with a grade of a B or higher. Students may join such student organizations as University Players and Alpha Psi Omega.
37,299 Students
California State University-Stanislaus
Stanislaus State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts program with a well-balanced curriculum that gives students the opportunity to work on all aspects of production. Students have the option of mounting productions for a 300-seat mainstage theater or a 100-seat studio theater. Coursework includes classes in the history and traditions of theatre, script and character analysis, foundations in scenography, stage movement, directing, and the practical and theoretical aspects of technical theater and design. Students pursuing a liberal arts program can elect to have Theatre Arts as their area of concentration. Each year, one qualified student majoring in theater, music or art is awarded the Dr. Carol Channing School of Fine & Performing Arts Scholarship (amount varies).
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
9,282 Students
California State University-Fresno
The Theatre Arts Department at Fresno State is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). Students accepted to the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts program can choose a general emphasis or an emphasis in acting or design/technology. The program prepares students for careers in professional theatre or in teaching. A BA in Theatre Arts with a dance option is also available. Students have access to the theatre complex which consists of the John Wright Theatre (370 seats), the Dennis & Cheryl Woods Theatre (150 seats) and the Lab School Theatre (100 seats). The most outstanding student for the academic year in the theatre arts program is awarded the Raymond Ensher Creative Achievement Theatre Arts Scholarship (variable amount).
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
24,136 Students
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
The Department of Theatre and New Dance at Cal Poly Pomona has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre program with five tracks: general, acting, design and production, dance, and theatre in education and community. Classroom instruction in areas such as acting, movement, stage lighting, playwriting, scenic design and theater management are structured to go hand-in-hand with the development of artistic and performing skills. Several scholarships of variable amounts are available, including the Morse Family Scholarship (design and technical theatre), the Renaissance Scholarship (excellence across multiple disciplines), and the Lou Fossum Best Dedication to Performance Scholarship (acting). Students can also apply for a Center Theatre Group internship, which gives them the opportunity to work and study alongside professionals in the field.
23,717 Students