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Theatre, Performing Arts Schools and Programs in The United States, viewing 101-180 of 180 total results

  • Stetson University

    University DeLand, The United States In an official register

    Stetson University is an independent institution of higher learning, established in 1883, operating four colleges and schools across the I-4 corridor in Central Florida. The primary undergraduate campus is located in DeLand, Florida, USA. The Center for International…

Theatre, Performing Arts Studies in The United States

Study theatre in the US at Albertus Magnus College.Study theatre in the US at Albertus Magnus College.

Theatre degrees in the United States combine practical training on stage and backstage with the study of dramatic literature, history and theory. The subject is taught inside universities and liberal arts colleges, usually in a department or school of theatre, drama or performing arts, rather than only in separate conservatories. Students can specialise in acting, directing, design, stage management, playwriting or musical theatre, and most departments run their own production season in which students perform and work as crew.

How the degree is organised

There are two main undergraduate routes, both normally four years of full-time study, the usual length of a US bachelor's degree according to EducationUSA. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is a broad degree that mixes theatre with general education; the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) is a more intensive professional training in one discipline. The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) shows the range: its School of Theatre lists a B.F.A. in Acting, a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, a B.A. in Theatre, a B.F.A. in Theatre and an M.F.A. in Theatre. Hofstra University has BFA degrees in Theater Arts (Performance) and Theater Arts (Production) next to a BA in Drama. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison the Theatre and Drama major has an Acting Option and a Design and Technology Option.

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) is the professional graduate degree for actors, directors and designers, while the Ph.D. is a research degree. Northwestern University in Evanston offers MFA degrees in Stage Design, Directing and Acting and a PhD in Theatre & Drama. The University of Washington in Seattle has a BA in Drama, an MFA in Drama and a PhD in Theatre History & Performance Studies. Yale University's David Geffen School of Drama offers graduate training only, with M.F.A. and Certificate programmes in disciplines such as acting, design, directing and playwriting; the school states that full-time students in its degree and certificate programmes receive 100% tuition remission.

Admission and language

EducationUSA states that undergraduate applicants generally must have completed high school and be at least 17 years old, and that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Applications for a September start are typically due between November and January, so the search should begin 12 to 18 months before the academic year. Performance and design programmes often add an artistic step: Illinois State University, for example, asks applicants to check its programme entry requirements and schedule an audition date. Each department sets its own rules. Teaching is in English.

International students on a degree course normally use the F student visa, which requires acceptance by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). EducationUSA notes that an SEVP-certified institution may not hold national or regional accreditation, so accreditation should be checked separately.

Where to study theatre in the United States

Theatre departments exist all over the country, and the schools on this page reflect that. New York, Boston and Philadelphia have the most listed schools, among them Columbia University in New York and Northeastern University in Boston. Being close to a professional theatre scene is a practical advantage: Northwestern points to its proximity to Chicago, Hofstra to New York City, and the University of Washington's School of Drama to its close ties with the Seattle theatre community. Large public universities such as The Ohio State University, The University of Texas at Austin, the University of Michigan, the University of California San Diego and the University of Florida also have theatre departments, as do liberal arts colleges such as Lawrence University, Dartmouth College and Wellesley College. Community colleges, for example Broward College and Pasadena City College, offer a lower-cost start.

Recognition of the qualification

US higher education is not centrally organised: institutions are accredited at national or regional level by independent accrediting bodies. In theatre there is also a specialised accreditor, the National Association of Schools of Theatre; the University of Florida, for instance, states that it is an accredited institutional member. Students who want to teach or work in another country should ask the authorities there how a US degree is recognised.

Careers

Northwestern says its theatre graduates go on to careers in stage and screen acting, choreography, playwriting, management, education, directing and producing. Prospects are competitive. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects little or no change in the employment of actors from 2025 to 2035, with about 6,300 openings a year, and notes that a degree is not usually required, although most actors acquire some formal preparation at a conservatory or a college theatre programme. Producers and directors typically need a bachelor's degree, and their employment is projected to grow 4 percent over the same period.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a B.A. and a B.F.A. in theatre?

Both are four-year bachelor's degrees. The B.A. combines theatre with a broad general education, while the B.F.A. concentrates on professional training in one area such as acting, musical theatre or design.

Do I need an audition to study theatre in the United States?

Often, yes, for acting, musical theatre and other B.F.A. or M.F.A. programmes; design applicants may be asked for a portfolio. Requirements differ by school, so check the department's own page.

Do I need a degree to work as an actor?

No. According to the BLS a degree is not usually required, but most actors have some formal training, and producers and directors typically need a bachelor's degree.