Theatre Performance

Foundation for Professional Success

The Department of Theatre Arts seeks to develop effective and creative communicators in order to challenge others to thoughtful examination of ideas, cultures, and values. Students majoring in theatre arts will develop skills and thinking that reflect the historical foundations of the discipline as well as recent advances. Through both traditional classroom instruction and performance and production experience, students will enhance their skills of observation, analysis, development, and performance in order to better prepare them for their careers and lives. A major in theatre serves the purpose of (a) providing more intensive study in the discipline within the student’s liberal arts education, (b) preparation for advanced training leading to a career in the professional theatre, (c) preparation for graduate work leading to a Master of Arts or a Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre, or (d) preparation for work in a non-commercial field of theatre such as community theatre.

Students in the theatre performance major will complete 48 hours

  • TH 212, 224, 241, 311, 312, 331rt, 341, 345, 361, 365, 431, 441, 442, 446 & 485
  • One course from TH 221, 222 or 223
  • Three hours from TH 391, 392 or 393

On Stage Experience

Many of your classes will be held in the Merillat Centre for the Arts. Its state-of-the-art facilities include a 700-seat mainstage theatre, studio theatre, acting studio, well-equipped sceneshop, costume shop, and more.

At HU, you will gain experience in the full range of theatre arts including stage craft (scenic design, lighting, costuming), acting, and directing. Off-campus learning opportunities are also available, including semester studies in New York and Chicago through partner organizations.

Several Huntington alumni have launched successful careers as actors, directors, or designers in the professional theatre. Employers like theatre majors because they tend to be personable, articulate, creative, task-oriented, and team players. These qualities are important to career success in many fields.