Undergraduate Theatre

About the Theatre Program

Slippery Rock University’s Theatre program prides itself on its commitment to the practical and rigorous pre-professional aspects of preparing for a future in theatre. From our intensive, hands-on courses to stage production work and our Professional Theatre Practice capstone course, the faculty strive to provide our students with the tools they will need in their futures. Tailored experiences provide students with skills, professional knowledge, and the contacts they’ll need for future opportunities. An SRU theatre education prepares students for the diverse opportunities available to theatre practitioners, including employment as performers, designers, technicians, educators, administrators and more.

What Can I Do With a Theatre Degree?

Acting students develop the performance skills needed for the theatre, film, television, radio, voiceover, cruise ship and gaming industries; they also prepare to be directors, playwrights and producers.

Design and Technology students design costumes, makeup, scenery, lights, projections, and sound for theatre, film, and television. Students will gain skill sets in technical direction, carpentry, sewing, props, painting/dyeing, crafts, shop management, sound technology, and special effects.

Theatre Arts Management students gain skill sets in stage management, theatre administration, audience development, publicity, community outreach, and arts advocacy while gaining experience through their internships working with cultural agencies, arts organizations, and performing arts institutions.

Theatre Studies students prepare for unique career paths by merging their studies in Theatre with another major or minor. Examples include Education/Theatre Studies, Communication/Theatre Studies, Art/Theatre Studies, Psychology/ Theatre Studies, and Music/Theatre Studies.

Why Choose a Theatre Degree?

• Facilities
  The newly renovated Miller Theater is in a new performing arts complex with a 753-seat proscenium stage, a 9,500-square-foot scene shop addition and a front-of-house expansion. The Pearl Stoner Complex has a 296-seat flexible black box theater, a costume shop, and acting and design classrooms.
• Dedicated Faculty
  Students are taught by full-time, dedicated faculty members who also provide academic advisement throughout each student’s program of study.
• Opportunities for Hands-on Training
  Students are able to audition and assist with productions beginning their first semester and are encouraged to pursue opportunities on the main stage and in our experimental theater lab space
• Proven Excellence
  SRU’s Theatre Department has enjoyed a long tradition of excellence. Our students and productions have won many honors and awards.
• Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre
  Accreditation means that our program meets or exceeds the industry standards developed by experts in the field. SRU is the only institution in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher education with all four fine and performing arts accreditations (theatre, art, music and dance).