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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

Student coiling a power cord
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 and Honors in Action.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart?

  • 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.
  • The Creative Arts Center’s 5 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.
  • West Virginia Public Theatre, a professional theatre operated through the College of Creative Arts, uses talents of both equity actors and our students.

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

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:

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Actors

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film 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.

Possible Job Titles: Actor, Actress, Comedian, Performer

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Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

Median Salary: $111,040

Possible Job Titles: Art Director, Creative Director (CD Director), Creative Services Director, Design Director

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Producers and Directors

Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $83,480

Possible Job Titles: Artistic Director, Director, News Producer, Producer

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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: $83,480

Possible Job Titles: Artistic Director , Casting Agent , Casting Coordinator , Casting Director

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Where our grads work

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

See where you’ll study, research, and create.

View of Creative Arts Center from a distance on a spring day

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
Student using a saw in the scene shop

Theatrical Scene Shop

The scene shop for the School of Theatre and Dance features 2, 4,000-square-foot levels housing scenery, props, painting, lighting, and sound production. Comprised of wood- and metal-working equipment and a paint frame that travels between the shops.
Costume sketches stacked on a work table

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 3 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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Student Life

You'll experience epic traditions, quality academics, and a supportive community that feels like home.

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Admission Requirements

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

Tuition and Aid

How much does Theatre at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Theatre, BA is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Theatre can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

More About Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Request Info

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

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