The Theatre major will educate, train, and prepare you to be a theatre artist of character and competence who will engage the culture and change the world through thoughtful and faithful use of your creative gifts. Majoring in Theatre provides you with opportunities to explore your personal values, develop your skills, and acquire the knowledge and techniques you need to thrive in the world of theatre — whether you are interested in performing, producing, designing, studying, or teaching theatre.
About the Theatre Major
Majoring in Theatre will expose you to a sizable body of dramatic literature, theory, and historical study — leading you to develop an informed perspective of the role of theatre as a social, spiritual, and artistic institution. The experience will allow you to explore and develop yourself both as an individual and as an artist.
Many of the courses you take will focus on skills associated with performance, playwriting, directing, theatre history, designing, and technical theatre crafts. In addition to your classroom experience, you will engage with an extensive production and performance program. The performance schedule is divided among mainstage and studio productions, and reflects a wide range of dramatic forms and styles. Whatever plays are chosen, SPU productions address the relationship between Christian theatre-makers and the human art of theatre.
As a Theatre major, you can choose from four areas of emphasis:
Career Opportunities
- Actor
- Artistic Director
- Box Office Manager
- Choreographer
- College Professor
- Costume Designer
- Director
- Dramaturg
- General Manager
- Grip (Stagehand)
- Lighting Designer
- Makeup Artist
- Playwright
- Private Acting Coach
- Scenic Designer
- Secondary School Teacher
- Sound Designer
- Stage Manager
- Technical Director
- Theatre Critic
- Wardrobe Supervisor
- Wig/Hair Stylist
Major Courses and Degree Requirements
Each emphasis within the Theatre major has its own degree requirements. Check the Undergraduate Catalog for more information.
All Theatre majors are required to fulfill the following requirements:
- Earn a minimum of 80 credits in Theatre studies and applications, with a minimum of 30 upper-division credits.
- Demonstrate a growing ability in theatrical criticism, artistic awareness, and personal theatrical skills.
- Successfully complete a Senior Project in your chosen area of emphasis (Performance, Production/Design, or Theatre Studies). This project must include both an approved prospectus and some form of public demonstration made during the student’s senior year.
View Theatre core courses and Theatre electives.
Admission to the Major
Formal admission to the Theatre major happens at the end of the first quarter of your sophomore year. If you are a transfer student beyond the sophomore level, admission occurs in your second quarter of residence. You will need to complete and submit the Major or Minor Application Form (PDF).
To qualify for admission as a major in the Theatre program, you are required to have completed 12 credits of work with a 2.5 GPA in Theatre, which must include TRE 1750 “Introduction to Design for Theatre,” and TRE 1340 “Acting I.” You must complete the major requirements that are in effect when you are admitted to the major.