Bachelor of Arts in
Theatre

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Take a leading role in a career worthy of the spotlight

Learn how to work collaboratively with other creative minds to solve problems and communicate on the stage and behind the scenes. Develop a core set of skills to become highly proficient in theory, knowledge, and practice while learning self-discipline and work ethic in the bachelor's in theatre program at the University at Albany.

You will gain the skills and education needed to succeed on and off the stage with a hybrid learning experience that combines traditional courses with production work. This major provides you with foundational knowledge about theatre while teaching interdependent studies such as acting, design, direction, technology, management, history, theory, criticism, and dramatic literature.

Additional Program Information

Undergraduate Bulletin | Course Catalog | Four-Year Plan | Department Contact: Kate Walat

Program of Study
Honors Program
Theatre Minors
Living-Learning Community
Combined Master's
Career Outcomes
Music and Theatre Home

Program of Study

programofstudy

Section 1: Core Courses

Play Analysis
Introduction to Technical Theatre
Contemporary Theatre
Theatre History I and II
Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
Acting I
Plays in Process

Section 2: Practicum

Choose 3 credits from:

Production Practicum I
Production Practicum II
Production Practicum III

Each production practicum provides an opportunity for you to get involved in the practical, hands-on, aspects of theatre. This experiential learning provides resume credits, whether applying for summer theatre work or moving into a career after graduation. Practicums afford you chance to try something new, learn a different skill, improve upon existing abilities, or enjoy being an integral part of creating theatre.

Section 3

Choose one course from each of the following subsections:

Subsection A

Playwriting I
Movement I
Acting II
Voice for the Actor

Subsection B

Stage Management
Theatrical Drafting
Scenic Technology
Lighting Technology
Costume Technology

Subsection C

Studies in Theatre History
History of Clothing Styles
Dramaturgy
Seminar in Dramatic Literature

Section 4

Choose one course from:

Playwriting II
Directing
Set Design I
Technical Design I
Lighting Design I
Costume Design I

Elective Course

One course at the 300- or 400-level

Honors Program

The Honors Program in theatre gives exceptional theatre majors the opportunity to take advanced classes in theatre studies and to work more closely with faculty on independent projects and research. Admission into the program requires an overall GPA of at least 3.25 and minimum 3.5 GPA in all theatre courses. See the Undergraduate Bulletin for details.

Theatre Minors

There are four theatre minors available:

Acting
Musical Theatre
Theatre
Theatrical Design/Technology

See the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details and requirements on minors.

honors

Living-Learning Community

Living-Learning Communities provide you with an opportunity to live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests and passions.

The World of Performing Arts is for students from all intended majors who are interested in acting, playwriting, musical theatre, art, literature or music. You'll take classes with other students who are also interested in the collaborative process of the performing arts.

living

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Option

You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately.

Combine your Theatre degree with the MS in Information Science program. This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.

combined

Career Outcomes

Whether you see yourself working behind the scenes or under the lights, a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre provides you with a wide array of career opportunities beyond the stage and across industries.

Potential jobs titles for a BA in Theatre include:

Actor
Designer
Engineer
Writer
Film Producer

Two students performing in a theatre production

career

UAlbany Majors: Theatre

"There's a great staff and student support system and they want to see you succeed."

- Madison Rivera, '25

UAlbany Majors: Theatre

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Arts

Exhibit proficiency in written, oral, visual, technological, and physical modes of theatre communication.
Apply an understanding of all aspects of theatre’s collaborative processes.
Exhibit knowledge of theatre history and dramatic literature within cultural and social contexts.
Demonstrate proficiency in a variety of skills developed in theatre laboratory practice.
Employ analytical and creative thought processes for the tasks of research, production, concept development, problem-solving, and self-evaluation.

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What Makes The University at Albany Great

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors

Acting
Africana Studies
Anthropology
Art
Art History
Atmospheric Science
Bioethics
Biology
Broadcast Meteorology
Business
Chemistry
Chinese Studies
Cognitive Science
Communication (Fully Online Option)
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
Documentary Studies
East Asian Studies
Economics
Educational Studies
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electronics
Film Studies
Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
English

Forensic Science
French
Game Design and Development
Geographic Information Science
Geography
Globalization Studies
Hebrew
History (Fully Online Option)
Informatics (Fully Online Option)
Instrumental Performance
International Studies
Italian
Japanese Studies
Journalism (Fully Online Option)
Judaic Studies
Korean Studies
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Law and Philosophy
Leadership
Legal Studies
LGBTQ Studies
Library and Information Science
Linguistics
Machine Learning
Mathematics

Medical Anthropology
Music
Musical Performance
Musical Theatre
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Portuguese
Pre-Education
Psychology (Fully Online Option)
Public Health
Public Policy
Religious Studies
Russian
Russian and Eastern European Studies
Social Welfare Studies
Sociology (Fully Online Option)
Spanish
Statistics
Sustainability
Theatre
Theatrical Design/Technology
Urban Studies and Planning
U.S. Latino Studies
Vocal Performance
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

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