(Above Photo: #HereToo Project residency with Barbara Pitts McAdams and Jimmy Maize 2019. Photo by Cody Goddard)
BA THEATRE STUDIES
A liberal arts degree in theatre theory and practice
Mission
The BA asks students to consider the theatrical past; to reflect on their own reasons for doing theatre now; and to imagine what theatre can be in the future.
Curriculum
Students take a broad range of courses in theatre theory and practice, beginning with Theatre History, Performance Theory, and Play Analysis. BAs gain experience in the Penn State Centre Stage and OffStage seasons as assistant directors, as dramaturgs, and on production crews. Many BAs direct, design, and perform through Penn State’s numerous student theatre groups. Some of our program’s most exciting work results from residencies with internationally renowned guest artists.
Opportunities
The BA offers breadth of experience and depth of inquiry:
BA students may pair Theatre with a second major; our current BAs double major in a range of degrees like Comparative Literature, Public Relations, Hospitality Services, and Business.
The Theatre BA is Penn State’s home for the study of Dance. An Area of Focus in Dance provides opportunities to take technique, history, and theory courses.
Students can focus on Directing, Playwriting, or Dramaturgy. The BA is a strong choice for students who want to prepare for an MFA degree in one of these areas.
The BA prepares students who wish to pursue an MA/PhD program in Theatre History or Performance Studies.
For more information about the BA in Theatre Studies at Penn State, send a note to theatreistheory@psu.edu.
