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Theatre (B.A.)

Stage and curtain

We build artists: Prepare for a variety of careers within the entertainment industry and beyond.

The Theatre Department’s combined historical, theoretical and applied curriculum develops a wide range of knowledge and practical skills in a collaborative environment. Theatre studies prepare students to use innovative thinking for a variety of professional careers and to enrich many aspects of their lives.

Why ESU?

  • ESU is only an hour and a half from NYC, and students take day trips to see shows and professionals from provide workshops on our campus.
  • Students have many opportunities to develop their craft with service-learning projects and research opportunities.
  • Students receive training in all aspects of theatre. As they discover and develop their unique talents, students will work closely with faculty advisers to develop their strengths as an actor, designer, director, stage manager or theatre technician.
  • Theatre is also a business, and all of our students are introduced to the unique entrepreneurial aspects of creative enterprises. These skills can also be applied to many dynamic careers such as television and film, teaching, management, advertising, law, journalism, and politics.

What You'll Learn

All students receive training in all aspects of theatre, but as they discover their unique abilities and talents, the students will work closely with faculty advisors to tailor their experiences to suit their emerging specialties.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of theatre in verbal, visual and written formats.
  • Acquire and apply innovative skills and techniques in creating performance, design and technology.
  • Adhere to the ethical standards and principles of professional theatre in a diverse working environment.
  • Engage in entrepreneurial practices in preparation for a professional career in the entertainment industry.
  • Prepare for entry-level jobs, graduate school and/or advanced training.
  • Practice theatre proficiencies and transferrable skills, including: leadership, collaboration, communication, and time management through the production process.

I believe ESU is way better than the top name schools. I worked with people from those schools and I can say it is just the name. ESU has way more talent than a lot of these big name schools.

Jamil Joseph '16
actor/director, Washington, DC

Concentrations

All students will enroll in core theatre courses together, then individually, have the ability to pick one or more concentrations to complete their coursework. Concentrations are a set of classes to give the student specialized training.

Student actors will be guided through foundational to advanced technique in Stanislavsky-based forms as well as targeted skills in acting for television and film, classical acting, improvisation, and comedy. Actors are developed through classes, public performances, and private coaching during their time at ESU. In addition to acting in our main stage season, students have the opportunity to perform in numerous student film projects throughout the year.

To meet the interest of our students, courses in Musical Theatre are offered in the theatre department for general education requirements. Additionally, students may major in theatre and select the Musical Theatre track. The Musical Theatre track combines courses in theatre, music and dance, as meets the demands of this unique American art form. In addition to a broad study of theatre techniques, students will study vocal performance, music theory and piano, as well as classes in important dance forms. The department regularly produces full scale musicals and other theatre productions that include music and dance

Students may enter the program as directors or add directing later in their studies as an emerging interest. Student directors develop knowledge and skill in all aspects of theatre as the coordinators of all artistic aspect of the production. Directors are developed through directing class, independent studies in Directing II, ESU and outside assistant directing, and by taking advantage of student directing opportunities through stage II and student cabarets.

Students in this concentration are guided through foundation through advanced courses in all areas of design (scenic, costume, lighting, and sound) and technology.

Students will develop their craft through classes, workshops and live performances.

Advanced students will have main stage design and production shop employment opportunities.

This concentration is very hands on with one on one faculty mentorship.

Minors

The Department of Theatre's minor provides students with challenging and inspiring courses, which can be selected in consultation with their adviser to focus on the specific discipline of theatre they are interested in – acting, musical theatre, theatre for young audiences, community outreach, design, technical theatre, developmental drama, and directing.

This minor works well with many majors on campus (like education, speech pathology, psychology, business management and communication) allowing students to follow their passion and do what they love. They will be able to apply many of the “soft skills” they learn in theatre classes to their chosen careers – making them better prepared for the work force.

The minor in dance is designed to provide students with an overview of the field of dance, knowledge and experiences in dance technique, as well as theory, performance, choreography, production and teaching skills.
Courses and Requirements
In addition, it enables students in any major to continue to pursue their love of dance.

Dance classes are taught in the lovely dance studio located in G-6, Fine & Performing Arts Center. Equipped with extensive sound equipment, WiFi capability, and plenty of educational journals and videos, the space enables innovative approaches to the coursework in addition to providing the students with a great atmosphere for practice.

Students in the dance program are deeply involved in service-learning and learning-by-doing activities in courses required for the minor.

Students now have the option to pursue a minor in Music — a program that highlights how music is at the heart of ESU. We offer student-centered professional training in a supportive, artistically rich environment.

The goal of the music minor is to give interested students a solid grounding in music theory and history as well as hands-on experience in a music ensemble. Students can continue to pursue other academic interests while maintaining or growing their interest in music through this minor.

Your training at ESU is two-fold: Our classes will give you the skills necessary to begin your journey and our ensembles will provide you with real world experience to build that resume and develop lifelong connections.

Students may participate in as many ensembles as they wish in any semester but are required to complete six ensemble credits for the completion of the minor. Each ensemble is offered for one credit per ensemble per semester.

Career Opportunities

Entertainment is one of the biggest exports in the United States. Theatre is one of the biggest industries in nearby New York City and Philadelphia.

Theatre department alumni are working in arts and entertainment in the United States and internationally, have gone on to excellent graduate programs, and have transferred their skills to related fields.

The entire U.S. arts and culture sector is a $764 billion industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and Americans for the Arts. This represents 4.2 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - a larger share of the economy than transportation, agriculture, or construction.

A Theatre major prepares graduates for a wide variety of professional roles in the entertainment industry.

  • Director
  • Actor (Theatre or Film/TV)
  • Artistic Director
  • Scenic Designer/Scenic Artist (Film)
  • Theatre Professor
  • Acting Teacher
  • High School Drama Teacher
  • Education Director
  • Technical Director
  • Stage Manager
  • Costume Shop Manager
  • Scenic Carpenter

Hands-on Learning

All ESU students can apply for work study positions in our production shop and audition for our productions, but as a major, students have the opportunity to assist in many production roles and qualify for professional internships.

Internships

Students are encouraged to complete professional internships to prepare for a career in the arts and entertainment industry. Internships are generally done between junior and senior year but students who have been involved in every production for their first two years may be prepared for an internship as soon as the end of their sophomore year.

ESU theatre majors have interned at some impressive performing arts organizations, including those listed below. All are great resume builders and some have led directly to job offers after graduation.

Research Opportunities

Advanced students have many opportunities to assist faculty directors, designers, and technicians in the development of our departmental and professional productions.

While individual tasks and opportunities are dependent on the students passions, our productions have many students in leaderships roles throughout all fields in the production.

smart people play

Service Learning

Recent service learning projects include:

  • Northampton Community College presented by ESU students using theatre to speak out about gun violence (Sarah Thatcher, Dianara Vazquez Nicholas Chamberlain, Katie French, AJ Linkowsky, Cory Oswald, Tamir Cousins-Ali)
  • ESU Rockets Program for Youth, 2018 (Rashiek High, Omar McGill)
  • Film (short) A short interview style film to bring awareness to Autism by Savannah Murphy
  • Film (short) “Things ESU Students Say” by Madison Petro
  • the Monroe County Public Library, The Three Pigs interactive reading and performance
  • the Art Learning center – performance and workshops – The Giving Tree, The Wizard of Oz

Workshops with Guest Professional Entertainment Artists

Our proximity to two major theatre cities allows our department and student organization to bring in many guest artists to provide workshops for additional specialized learning.

Past Guest Artist Workshops include:

  • Cirque du Soleil artists Don Rieder and Valerie Dean – workshops in performance presence, and play
  • Cathy Reinking – casting director, TV audition workshop
  • Stephanie Diaz – casting director and voiceover actress, film audition workshop
  • Jennifer Mae Nickel – Hollywood costume designer
  • Marni Nixon – musical theatre workshop (She sang leads (as ghost singer) for films of West Side Story, The King and I, and My Fair Lady)
  • Spike Lee – director/filmmaker

Specialized Facilities

Smith McFarland Theatre
Smith McFarland Theatre

The Theatre Department has two main theaters: the Smith McFarland and Dale Snow.

Both are equipped with state of the art lighting and sole consoles and equipment.

Additionally, the department has:

  • four practice studios
  • sound studio
  • scenic shop
  • costume shop
  • MacBook lab

Students take classes and film regularly in ESU’s Warrior TV Studio where they learn to act on multiple camera shoots, green screen and to work with a teleprompter.

Career Development at ESU

We'll help you launch your career. Support services are available through the ESU Career Development Center. The center offers a variety of internship opportunities, career planning, and employment services to all ESU students and alumni.

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Contact Us

Campus Address

Fine & Performing Art Center 211
(570) 422-3694

Co-Department Chair, Theatre

Bethanie Watson
bwatson4@esu.edu 
(570) 422-3790

Co-Department Chair, Theatre

Jason Narvy
jnarvy@esu.edu 
(570) 422-3259

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200 Prospect Street
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-2999
(570) 422-3211
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