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About the Major

The Color Purple

Theater (B.A.)

The University offers a bachelor of arts (B.A.) in theater.

The Theater Program provides a broad and solid foundation in the artistic, intellectual, and practical aspects of theater that prepares students for professional careers as actors, playwrights, directors, and designers. The program is also excellent preparation for graduate studies.

Coursework includes a core of theater courses—plus general theater electives. Students desiring a more specialized program may choose one of the following concentrations in place of the general theater electives.

  • Acting concentration
  • Design and technology concentration
  • Playwriting, dramaturgy, and directing concentration
  • Theater studies concentration

An important feature of the program is its emphasis on blending classroom learning with practical experience and extracurricular activities that result in exciting and challenging study.

  • Students benefit from small classes taught by faculty who foster a positive working and learning environment. Students are encouraged to collaborate, experiment, and take initiative in the development of new work—including new student-written plays, multi-media performances, or imaginative interpretations of established plays.
  • An active production schedule provides opportunities for students, at all stages of their college career, to act, direct, design, write original plays, and take on major technical responsibilities.
  • The department sponsors master classes, workshops, and lectures by visiting theater professionals from all over the world, including noted actors, playwrights, directors, designers and technicians from New York, California, Chicago, Indianapolis, Ireland, Trinidad, Germany, and Russia.
  • Crossroad Repertory Theatre, an in-residence professional summer theater company, offers students the invaluable opportunity to work with theater professionals from throughout the United States.
  • Facilities include two theaters (a 240-seat proscenium theater and an intimate 200-seat theater), a laboratory rehearsal space, a technology laboratory, primary scenic and costume studios, and a design classroom.

A number of activities and organizations enable students to interact with other students and professionals. 

Other opportunities include the University's Honors Program and study abroad opportunities—which range from summer programs to a single semester or a full academic year in over 56 countries.

 

Careers

Our graduates are currently working as professional actors, playwrights, directors, designers, and technicians. The program also prepares students to pursue graduate studies. Our alumni are working on hit television shows such as The Mandalorian, RuPaul's Drag Race, and Law and Order. Other alumni are working in theater at companies including Indiana Repertory Theatre, Houston Grand Opera, Georgia Shakespeare, Long Beach Playhouse, Carnival Cruise Line, and more.

The theater faculty work professionally outside the department and are able to offer experiences and contacts to students upon graduation.

 

Accreditation

The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

 

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Students have many sources of financial support for their studies, including financial aid, work-study programs, veterans' benefits, and special scholarships for entering freshmen and transfer students. 

In addition, the Department of Theater offers a number of scholarships and awards. See the Scholarships page.

 

Further Information

Prospective students should contact Alicia Jay to arrange a department visit and the Office of Admissions for further information.

Currently enrolled students should contact the following:

Department of Theater
Indiana State University
812-237-3342