University Theatre Programs

What You’ll Study

As a student in University Theatre, you’ll enjoy extensive performance opportunities and real-world experiences, study with exceptional faculty who are acclaimed directors, designers, actors, and scholars, work in state-of-the-art studios, and perform in extraordinary venues. You’ll receive a significant amount of individual attention, gain important resume-building skills, and make important contacts that prepare you for a professional career.

For 60 years, our dynamic degrees have inspired students who wish to pursue a career in the theatre and entertainment industries. Our wide range of programs and experiences provide hands-on opportunities that allow you to explore the theatre arts across all aspects of the field. University Theatre degrees and programs will prepare you for success in a variety of careers in the performing arts and more. No matter the path you choose, our community of mentors and colleagues are dedicated to your success.

On Stage and Screen

University Theatre students and alumni may be seen nationally and internationally across the entertainment industry. You’ll find our alumni on Broadway and receiving nominations and awards from The Tony’s to The Grammys®. Our exceptional program also empowers our graduates to become successful directors, designers, choreographers, academic faculty, and more. We will prepare you for success in the theatre arts and beyond—whether behind the scenes or in the spotlight.

Undergraduate Programs

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Theatre Studies

  YSU’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre Studies is a professional and flexible course of study that combines a major emphasis in theatre grounded in theory and practice with a traditional liberal arts education. The comprehensive curriculum offers courses in acting, directing, stage management and production, design technology, film studies, video production, and playwriting. The curriculum allows students to explore the world of professional theatre from multiple perspectives and to augment their studies with minor coursework in a field of their choice (e.g., Graphic + Interactive Design, Audio Engineering, Business). Students may pursue a multi-faceted curriculum or choose an established emphasis within the B.A. Theatre Studies, which includes Acting/Directing or Tech/Design. Or, students may choose to enroll in the separate Film/Video Studies Track.

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Film/Video

  The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre Studies, Film/Video Concentration combines extensive practical training in the techniques of theatre, film, and video production with an array of liberal arts coursework. Students work closely with their Film/Video faculty in classroom and laboratory settings and also take specialty courses in the Theatre, Telecommunications, and English areas. Students pursuing this degree program select one of three areas on which to focus: Production, Visual Media and Design, or Critical Studies.

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Musical Theatre

  The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Musical Theatre is a professional degree for students who are interested in pursuing a career as an actor and singer. Before being accepted as a Musical Theatre major in University Theatre, all students must successfully complete an audition. The broad, yet comprehensive, curriculum allows supports students to learn about theatre and performance from multiple perspectives. Practical application and theoretical investigation, as it relates to professional theatre, are balanced through required coursework. Students graduate from this program prepared for careers as broadly employable theatre professionals.

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Theatre

  The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Theatre is a professional degree for students interested in pursuing a career as an actor, director, and/or theatre technician/designer. The program is defined by an experiential, collaborative curricular model that promotes discipline and artistic agency through broad-based foundational learning that encourages critical thinking, creative problem solving, and risk taking at all levels. The result is refined skill sets that prepare students to be successful theatre professionals across all areas of the entertainment industry. Before being accepted as a B.F.A. Theatre major in University Theatre, all students must successfully complete an audition.

Minors

• Minor in Dance

  The Minor in Dance provides a broad understanding of the field of dance from the perspective of the performer and choreographer. 

• Minor in Film Studies

  The Minor in Film Studies - Info soon

• Minor in Musical Theatre

  The Minor in Musical Theatre is comprised of interdisciplinary coursework and is designed to provide a broad overview of the field. It provides a unique opportunity for students from all majors who are interested in music and theatre to concentrate on both areas while earning one minor.  Students pursuing a Minor in Musical Theatre should contact Natalie A. Kiriazis at nakiriazis@ysu.edu for audition information.

• Minor in Puppetry for Non-Theatre Majors

  The Minor in Puppetry for Non-Theatre Majors provides a broad understanding of the field of puppetry in terms of puppet design, build, and manipulation, script-writing/adaptation, and puppet performance. 

• Minor in Puppetry for Theatre Majors

  The Minor in Puppetry for Theatre Majors provides a broad understanding of the field of puppetry in terms of puppet design, build, and manipulation, script-writing/adaptation, and puppet performance. The Puppetry Minor for Theatre Majors pairs well with both the B.A. in Theatre Studies and the B.F.A. in Theatre curricula.

• Minor in Theatre Studies

  The Minor in Theatre Studies provides a broad understanding of the field of theatre from the perspective of the actor and designer. University Theatre offers the Theatre Studies minor as a way for YSU students in other colleges to explore their interest in the theatre.