Expand Your Creative Abilities With a BA in Theater Arts
Learn every aspect of the craft—singing, directing, design, administration—and graduate prepared to work in any part of a theater organization.
Learn to write and direct your own play, or design a costume from drawing to finished product. Gain a core foundation of theatre history, music and dance. Then let your skills shine in the four productions you’ll work on each year.
Why earn your Theater Arts degree at St. Edward's?
Theater Arts majors are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the arts supported by Austin’s vibrant culture. You’ll be connected to the pulse of a cosmopolitan city, an epicenter to creativity and a handful of world-class events. You’ll get to study at our award-winning theater program, hosted in the intimate professional Mary Moody Northen Theatre, which consistently receives awards from Austin critics.
Become a member of Actors' Equity
Through our degree specializations, you’ll have the option to focus on design and technology, specialize in theater management, or be a part of the next generation of storytellers. No matter what you choose, you’ll learn from working alongside professional artists and you’ll have the chance to earn your membership in Actors' Equity Association, the American labor union of professional actors and stage managers.
Test your fit
As you are making your college decision, get a better feel of out theater program through Scholarship Audition Weekend. Prospective theater students who have applied for university admission and have been accepted to St. Edward’s are invited to join us in February for a weekend of theater program activities! You'll have opportunities to sit in on classes, tour the campus, dine with current students, audition for a theater scholarship, see a show, meet the cast and crew and take workshops with university faculty.
Learn from guest artists
Guest artists from the world of professional theater, film and television work with faculty and students in production. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in hands-on work in acting, writing, design and directing.
Study in the epicenter of creative expression
While studying at St. Edward's, you will be connected to the pulse of a cosmopolitan city. Our students regularly participate in both internships and other professional positions in Austin’s many professional theater companies. Your immersion in such a colorful art scene will enrich your educational experience and connect you to people who share your passion.
Reap the Rewards of Austin
Austin is home to 80 theatre companies and to a community of people who appreciate the beauty of human expression. By studying Theater Arts on the hilltop, you'll learn from local artists and gain access to attend (and even contribute to) performances in and around the city!
What do our graduates do?
Theater Arts majors go on to a variety of careers and graduate school from St. Edward's. Here's a sample:
- Production manager for the Broadway production house of Juniper Street in New York City
- Assistant production manager for Hudson Scenic Shop, a commercial scenery construction shop
- Head of wardrobe for Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA tour
- Development associate for Theatre for a New Audience, in New York City
- MFA in Design from Yale University
- Rigger for Disney World
- Apple
Explore Details About a BA in Theater Arts
Degree Plan
Major Requirements:
The Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts requires 28 hours of Theater Core major courses and 25 hours of Emerging Forms Specialization courses.
General Education Requirements:
The Theater Arts degree requires 39 hours of general education courses plus major courses and electives.
Skills You Will Gain
Upon completing the Theater Arts program, you’ll be ready to:
- Enhance your skills in writing, video-game design and digital content creation so you’re telling the story;
- Produce costumes and set pieces;
- Confidently set up professional lighting and sound;
- Build wigs, apply theatrical makeup techniques and construct scenes;
- Analyze interpersonal relationships within productions;
- Take ethical precautions for running shows.
Under the Theater Arts Program, students can choose one of three specializations.
1. Emerging Forms
Emerging Forms establishes an interdisciplinary approach to theater studies by including courses from the writing, video-game design and digital content creation, offering students a unique opportunity to become the storytellers.
- Major Requirements: 28 hours of Theater Core major courses and 25 hours of Emerging Forms Specialization courses.
- General Education Requirements: 39 hours of general education courses plus major courses and electives.
- Electives: 28 hours of elective options
Upon completion of the freshman year, students will choose whether to continue with the Emerging Forms emphasis or, shift their focus to Theater Design/Technology or Theater Management, or audition for the BFA in Acting. View and download the full degree plan for Theater Arts with Emerging Forms Specialization (PDF).
2. Theater Design & Technology
Theater Design & Technology students will master skills to produce costumes and set pieces, as well as lighting at a professional caliber.
- Major Requirements: 28 hours of Theater Core major courses and 37 hours of Theater Design/Technology Specialization courses.
- General Education Requirements: 39 hours of general education courses plus major courses and electives.
- Electives: 16 hours of elective options
View and download the full degree plan for Theater Arts with Design/Technology Specialization (PDF).
3. Theater & Stage Management
The Theater & Stage Management specialization will bestow students with the leadership and communication skills necessary to be successful in this field. Students will also earn the necessary professional production credits to join the Actor’s Equity Association upon graduation.
- Major Requirements: 28 hours of Theater Core major courses and 24 hours of Theater Management Specialization courses.
- General Education Requirements: 22 hours of general education courses plus major courses and electives.
- Electives: 29 hours of electives
View and download the full degree plan for Theater Arts with Management Specialization (PDF).