Theatre

A competitive and rewarding experience

Depending on your concentration, Lumberjacks take courses emphasizing their specialties before acquiring hands-on experience. Acting students will have the opportunity for internships at major professional theatres here and abroad. Directing students will direct short plays, a fully produced one-act play with multiple ticketed performances and, should the opportunity arise, a full-length play.

Getting you ready for a high-performance career

There’s no shortage of production opportunities for both actors and directors. Theatre students will receive all the hands-on experience they’ll need to succeed in the professional world. Additionally, they’ll hear lectures and attend workshops from guest professionals. In addition, our faculty includes a two-time Daytime Emmy Award-nominated actor, an award-winning film actor and a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway and regional theatre director.

Acting and directing abroad

SFA has strong connections to the American professional theatre and the international scene. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside international students who travel to SFA to study under our faculty and work on our productions. You can learn and explore at London’s leading international drama school, Rose Bruford College, where you can also participate in their programs in Spain’s Institut del Teatre or Estonia’s national performing arts school. Learn more about study abroad opportunities.

Captivating audiences

The musical theatre concentration takes on an innovative and cutting-edge approach through an intense and comprehensive curriculum. Designed by industry professionals to help our students strengthen their skills and range, our graduates will begin their careers as prepared, vibrant and captivating artists.

Tailored to your artistic desires, the program helps find your own voice and style while preparing you for the demands of the industry. The musical theatre curriculum combines comprehensive training with the flexibility of taking a variety of classes across SFA.

Real-world experience

SFA's School of Theatre and Dance works closely with many professional theaters and programs, offering industry connections that are forged and cultivated throughout your undergraduate experience. These opportunities are paramount to your educational and professional growth. Interested? Learn more about internship opportunities.

Run the stage your way

Since stage managers work closely with actors, directors, designers and technicians, students in this concentration take a wide variety of courses to familiarize themselves with all these sub-disciplines. This combination of experience in all of the theatre fields provides our students with intensive preparation for professional work as stage managers.

Gain valuable experience

You'll be able to work on a considerable number of productions of different sizes and genres, not only as a stage manager or assistant stage manager but also as control board operators, crew leaders, assistant directors or even actors! You can then undertake a full-season internship at a major regional theatre or a year of study abroad.

Manage stages here and abroad

Are you looking to take your skills overseas? Learn more about study aboard opportunities.

Experience that bridges multiple disciplines

Our program is competitive but equips our students with the experience needed to work professionally in scenery, costuming, lighting, sound, makeup, props and more. You will be encouraged to identify primary and secondary areas of interest (costuming and lighting, for example). You will get extensive coursework in these interests as well as classes in art, interior design or fashion. Not to mention, you will receive plenty of opportunities to flex these muscles in one of our many extensive production programs.

Learn what you need to succeed

With a wide range of production opportunities at SFA, highly motivated students will often get the opportunity to design in our faculty-directed Mainstage Series. Extensive student crews make these major productions possible, and all the student-directed productions in the Downstage Theatre are also student-designed and executed.

Facilities equipped for hands-on learning

Setting the stage is crucial to any production. Students who concentrate on theatre design and technology at SFA have a wide range of well-equipped facilities in which to learn and create. You will build, craft and design in our recently renovated 5,000 square-foot scenic and props complex.

Turner Auditorium has a Broadway-sized stage house, a full fly system, a trap space, a hydraulic apron/orchestra pit, a large control room atop the balcony and up-to-date lighting and sound systems. Additionally, the “black box” theatre has a key laboratory for student designers, and our Upstage Theatre was recently renovated.