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College of Creative Arts and Media: School of Theatre and Dance

Theatre, BA

Explore and customize your education to include a more multidisciplinary approach to theatre studies, including performance, design and technology, dramaturgy and playwriting.

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre offers a broad-based program of study combining a liberal arts education with a general theatre curriculum. It is well-suited for students interested in multiple areas of study within the theatre discipline, such as stage management, directing or producing.

The Theatre BA degree also meshes perfectly with minors, and especially double majors, which may increase interest from future graduate schools or employers.

An audition is not required for acceptance to the Theater BA program.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Places and Spaces Admission Requirements Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre provides a well-rounded exploration of the various components of live production, including performance, stage design and tech, directing and more.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • By their sophomore year, students can begin stage managing and taking on other leadership roles within the main stage season.
  • On-campus facilities include costume and scene shops, drafting studio and the Brown CAD and Rendering Lab.
  • Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
  • The Creative Arts Center's five theatres of varied sizes and setups provide diverse atmospheres for learning.
  • Students write and direct shows, as well as performing and serving as dramaturgs in other productions.
  • The Creative Consultants program pairs students with successful alums for mentorship.
  • Grants available for educational travel and research.
  • West Virginia Public Theatre, a professional theatre operated through the College of Creative Arts, uses talents of both equity actors and our students.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

The Evansdale Library is just a short walk from the Creative Arts Center and houses a script collection. Students can access industry specific journals and magazines to stay current on what is happening and what is about to happen in the world of theatre.

In their senior year, Theatre students choose an area of their senior level coursework in which they wish to complete a capstone project. Many will direct, stage manage or dramaturg a show within the lab theatre or main stage season.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Actors

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, motion picture productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

Median Salary: NA

Possible job titles include: Actor, Actress, Comedian, Performer.

Explore Career

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual communications media, such as print, broadcasting and advertising. Direct workers engaged in art work or layout design.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $106,500

Possible job titles include: Art Director, Creative Director, Production Manager, Senior Art Director.

Explore Career

Producers and Directors

Plan and coordinate various aspects of radio, television, stage, or motion picture production, such as selecting script, coordinating writing, directing and editing, and arranging financing.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $82,510

Possible job titles include: News Producer, Producer, Promotions Producer, Television News Producer.

Explore Career

Talent Directors

Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $82,510

Possible job titles include: Artistic Director, Casting Assistant, Casting Associate, Casting Director.

Explore Career

Where our grads are working

Graduates of the BA Theatre program gain knowledge and skills in a variety of theatre performance and production areas. Additionally, they gain creative problem-solving and analytical thinking skills that make them good candidates for a variety of careers.

Graduates have gone on to work for Microsoft, Modus, Broadway Licensing and Cleveland Play House.

Places and Spaces

Learn about all of the places and spaces you'll learn in.

Program Facility - Creative Arts Center

Canady Creative Arts Center

The Loulie, Valerie and William Canady Creative Arts center boasts 4 exhibition spaces, 5 performance spaces, 33 individual practice rooms and 50 classrooms and studios with plenty of space to create. The loading dock at the rear of the building is a wonderful open-air space with stunning acoustics.

Explore the Canady Creative Arts Center
Featurette - Scene Shop

Theatrical Scene Shop

The scene shop for the School of Theatre and Dance features two, 4,000-square-foot levels housing scenery, props, painting, lighting and sound production. Comprised of wood- and metal-working equipment and a 60’x23’ paint frame that travels between the shops.

Featurette - Costume Sketches

Theatrical Costume Studio

The School of Theatre and Dance costume studio is set up to meet all the demands of our fully produced productions. The studio contains industry standard equipment, including 16 high-end commercial sewing machines and sergers, as well as three industrial machines. The costume studio contains spaces for classes and for production work. Areas include dying, crafts, wigs, fittings and cutting and draping.

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Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Theatre major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

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Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

Want to know more about Theatre at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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