Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

About the B.A. in Theatre Degree

At Cedarville University, we do theatre a little differently than most universities. While our and highly regarded B.A. in theatre degree will prepare you for a wide variety of fulfilling career options in theatre, what sets us apart is our distinctly Christian approach to theatre. Plays are carefully selected for each season to model Cedarville's Christ-centered learning community, with a wide range of theatrical genres — from the Golden Age of Greece to the modern era. The goal of each season's title selection is to incorporate plays and musicals that train students to be excellent artists who glorify God in a competitive industry.

You'll graduate ready to take on a number of positions in the theatre industry, including acting, directing, designing, stage management, dramaturgy, arts administration, and more. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, you'll be equipped to use your God-given talent and passion to become an excellent, relevant, and God-honoring theatre artist.

Theatre Program Highlights

Biblical Worldview – With biblical integration in every course, you will learn to see theatre through the lens of Scripture and be encouraged to use your God-given gifts for His glory.

Customizable – As you major in theatre, you can choose from two concentrations — performance or design — that allow you to tailor your coursework to match your career goals, with individualized mentoring and career guidance.

Abundant Opportunities – With three main stage productions, senior theatre project, in-class scene performances, and more, you’ll have dozens of opportunities to get hands-on experience in all aspects of theatre.

Award-Winning, Mentoring Faculty – Our faculty and staff have received many local and regional honors, and they stay active as professional performers, designers, dramaturgs, researchers, scholars, and consultants.

Capstone Experience – As part of a capstone experience, you will have the chance to stage a production, design for main stage performance, or gain practical experience in a rewarding internship.

Proven Success – Our graduates have found exciting, fulfilling work in professional, educational, and ministry settings.

Outstanding Facilities – You will learn and perform in the DeVries Theatre, an impressive 400-seat theatre with modern technology and staging, as well as a movement studio, makeup suite, computer design lab, scene shop, costume shop, and dressing rooms. Student productions utilize the Alford Auditorium facility.

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Main Stage Productions – Audition for one of our three stunning current season main stage productions or work on props, costume, lighting, hair/makeup, or set crew behind the scenes. View past performances on our production archives page.

Senior Theatre Capstone Projects – As a graduating senior, you will have the chance to act, direct, design, and even write your own full-length, fully produced capstone project with the help of a faculty adviser.

Dramaturgy – Help advise one of the main stage directors as a dramaturg, create an educational user guide about the production, and facilitate a talkback for the audience following a performance.

Study Abroad Program – Through Cedarville’s Study Abroad program, you can travel to places like London or Prague to study and experience theatre productions internationally.

Professional Internships – Gain real-life, resume-building experience in many different internship opportunities locally or in a major U.S. city. Our students have interned at:

• Ahmanson Theatre/ Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, CA
• Asolo Theatre, Sarasota, FL
• Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, MA
• Texas Shakespeare Festival, Kilgore, TX
• Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
• Jericho Project, Springfield, OH
• Contemporary American Theatre Company, Columbus, OH
• Dayton Ballet, Dayton OH
• Springfield Museum of Art, Springfield, OH
• Muse Machine, Dayton, OH
• CultureWorks, Dayton, OH
• Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton, OH
• Sight and Sound Theatre, Ronks, PA

Masterclasses and Workshops – Learn about specialized areas of theatre from exciting guest experts such as Rocco Dal Vera in dialects, Matthew Wilson in commedia dell’arte, and Scott Stoney in professional auditioning.

Theatre Festival Field Trips – Travel with other Cedarville theatre students to see productions in some of North America’s best theatres, such as the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada, and Blackfriar’s Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia. Exciting local trips include research at Cincinnati Museum of Art and professional performances at the Cincinnati Ballet, Dayton’s own Human Race Theatre, and multiple Broadway tours.