Theatre | Academics

Undergraduate Information

Theatre BA If you are interested in exploring multiple aspects of theatre and the performing arts--acting, design, dramaturgy, history, directing and technology--the Theatre major is for you. You will explore theatre skills, techniques, and knowledge alongside more widely transferable skills in collaboration, communication, improvisation, empathy, understanding, and storytelling.

Interdisciplinary Performance BA Do you want to be a content creator, innovator, and entrepreneur in an entertainment industry that is changing every day? Consider the Interdisciplinary Performance major. Combine traditional theatre and dance coursework and business and accounting courses in the Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. School of Business (to better take control of your performing arts career) with a unique, independently-generated capstone performance project in your senior year.

Sound for the Performing Arts BA If you find yourself drawn to sound effects, music, live mixing, audio recording, and movie scoring, the Sound for the Performing Arts major is your path to success. Explore new audio technologies and approaches to recording music and prepare yourself for careers in video games, live concerts, movies and television, live theatre, sporting events, and any other place where sound design and audio production are a mainstay.

Theatre Engineering (concentration in Multidisciplinary Engineering) BSE You love math, physics, and engineering; you also love theatre and the performing arts. Why not combine both and explore the application of engineering principles in the design and development of safe, creative, functional sets, apparatuses, and entertainment production devices. Combining disciplines of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering with hands-on experiences in the Department of Theatre and Dance, Theatre Engineering may be for you.

If you do not want to commit to a major, but still want to expand your learning in theatre, consider the Theatre Minor, Design and Production Minor, Acting Certificate, or Theatre Lighting Certificate

Graduate Information

Individualized Curricula. One-on-one mentorship. Challenging experiences.

If you are looking for a place to hone your skills and to dive deeper into your practice, the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre provides individualized plans of study in acting and design and production areas. With a focus on dramaturgy, collaboration, and skill development, you will leave Purdue skilled in research methods, text analysis, visual, aural, and written communication, and prepared to be a partner and artist in a variety of professional opportunities.

Plans of study include acting, costume design and technology, lighting design and technology, scenic design, technical direction, sound design, and audio technology.