Academic Programs

Majors in Theatre, Sound for the Performing Arts, and Interdisciplinary Performance. Minors in Theatre, Design and Production, Dance, and Acting. Student-centers courses taught by talented and nationally-recognized artists. One on one mentoring. We have what you're looking for.

Major in Theatre

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

Major in Interdisciplinary Performance

Interdisciplinary Performance Major
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.

Major in Sound for the Performing Arts

Interdisciplinary Performance Major
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.

Minors and Certificates

Minors and Certificates
If you do not want to commit to a major, but still want to expand your learning in theatre, consider the Theatre Minor, Dance Minor, Theatre Design and Production Minor, Acting Certificate, or Theatre Lighting Certificate. Each of these pathways provides opportunities to combine a smaller number of course credits in specific theatre courses with majors in other disciplines.

Scholarships

Scholarships
Several scholarships, made possible by generous support from donors and endowments, are available to students who major in the Department of Theatre and Dance. All Theatre and Dance scholarships are awarded through a single application and reviewed by a committee of faculty and staff. Recipients of scholarships must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in Theatre and Dance courses.

MFA Plans of Study

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 vareity 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.