Certificate Programs

What is a Certificate?

A certificate provides students with majors outside the Theatre Department to take more specialized classes than the Theatre Minor offers. A certificate is formal recognition for the course work. It’s ideal for students who want specialized study in an area of theatre but don’t have the time to take a second major. 

Certificate Plans of Study

Certificate in Acting: Communication through Performance

This program will provide students with majors outside of the theatre department to focus on the succession of acting classes in order to improve their communication skills. Acting provides physical and creative outlets which differ from the intense intellectual demands of many majors. The Certificate provides the opportunity to take more specialized acting classes than the Theatre Minor offers, and would provide formal recognition for the course work. It’s ideal for students who want specialized study in performance but don’t have the time to take a second major.  

Certificate in Theatre Lighting

This plan of study, the first in the College of Liberal Arts, allows students to explore and gain expertise in the rapidly developing field of theatrical lighting. It has a more specific range of courses than the existing Theatre Minor while not requiring the variety nor quantity of courses expected in the Majors. In other words, it’s the perfect course for current non-majors who just want to develop their skills in this specific area and have the recognition that the certificate conveys. 

For more information contact:

Acting/directing: Kristine Holtvedt, holtvedt@purdue.edu

Acting/movement: Rich Rand, richrand@purdue.edu

Lighting design & tech: Michael McNamara, mmcnamara@purdue.edu