The Department of Theatre studies stage production and the relationship between text and performance. The major requires courses in practical hands-on work as well as the study of theoretical, critical and historical approaches to theatre in order to give students an understanding of all aspects of the art form. The curriculum was developed with an emphasis on professional standards.

Courses include acting, playwriting, directing, history, theory, design, production, and creative drama. Undergraduates may take graduate courses with special permission. Many students who graduate from the program work as actors, directors, stage managers, and designers. Students pursuing a major in theatre must work on theatre productions as part of their requirements for graduation. Graduates who concentrate in developmental drama frequently enter the field as teachers and directors of theatre in education. Students have the opportunity for placement as interns and apprentices with various professional groups. We now have approximately 170 undergraduate majors.