University Theatre

Follow your passion – Empower your future

As a student in University Theatre, you’ll be inspired to explore all aspects of the theatrical arts. Our world-class faculty will challenge you to grow as both an artist and individual and prepare you to fulfill your unique goals. University Theatre offers 10 undergraduate programs and minors and provides opportunities for students to broaden their field of study with multiple professional experiences. Exceptional performance venues and studio spaces will enhance your endeavors. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, University Theatre will prepare you for success in the theatre industries. Explore the outstanding opportunities! 

Dynamic season

Each year, University Theatre stages numerous high-quality productions, providing opportunities for students to put skills learned in our classrooms into practice. Annual shows include two fully produced mainstage Musical Theatre and two straight theatre productions, fully produced Cabaret performances, multiple productions that feature student actors and directors, and more. We offer numerous opportunities for all university students, including those in other academic programs. There are multiple ways for you to express yourself in the theatrical arts at YSU!

Discover the possibilities

To learn more about our degree programs and scholarships or to schedule a campus visit, contact Cliffe College Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at sawaltman@ysu.edu or 330.941.2346. We would love to hear about your interests, introduce you to our outstanding faculty and students, show you our exceptional facilities, and become an important part of your future. We will look forward to seeing you soon!

Undergraduate Programs

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Theatre Studies

  YSU’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre Studies is a professional and flexible course of study that combines a major emphasis in theatre grounded in theory and practice with a traditional liberal arts education. The comprehensive curriculum offers courses such as acting, directing, stage management, and design technology and allows students to explore the world of professional theatre from multiple perspectives.

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Film/Video

  The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre Studies, Film/Video Concentration combines extensive practical training in the techniques of theatre, film, and video production with an array of liberal arts coursework. Students pursuing this degree program select one of three areas on which to focus: Production, Visual Media and Design, or Critical Studies.

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Musical Theatre

  The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Musical Theatre is a professional degree for students who are interested in pursuing a career as an actor and singer. Students graduate from this program prepared for careers as broadly employable theatre professionals.

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Theatre

  The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Theatre is a professional degree for students interested in pursuing a career as an actor, director, and/or theatre technician/designer. The program is defined by an experiential, collaborative curricular model, and the result is refined skill sets that prepare students to be successful theatre professionals across all areas of the entertainment industry.

Minors

• Minor in Dance

  The Minor in Dance provides a broad understanding of the field of dance from the perspective of the performer and choreographer. 

• Minor in Film Studies

  The Minor in Film Studies - Info soon

• Minor in Musical Theatre

  The Minor in Musical Theatre is comprised of interdisciplinary coursework and is designed to provide a broad overview of the field. It provides a unique opportunity for students from all majors who are interested in music and theatre to concentrate on both areas while earning one minor.  Students pursuing a Minor in Musical Theatre should contact Natalie A. Kiriazis at nakiriazis@ysu.edu for audition information.

• Minor in Puppetry for Non-Theatre Majors

  The Minor in Puppetry for Non-Theatre Majors provides a broad understanding of the field of puppetry in terms of puppet design, build, and manipulation, script-writing/adaptation, and puppet performance. 

• Minor in Puppetry for Theatre Majors

  The Minor in Puppetry for Theatre Majors provides a broad understanding of the field of puppetry in terms of puppet design, build, and manipulation, script-writing/adaptation, and puppet performance. The Puppetry Minor for Theatre Majors pairs well with both the B.A. in Theatre Studies and the B.F.A. in Theatre curricula.

• Minor in Theatre Studies

  The Minor in Theatre Studies provides a broad understanding of the field of theatre from the perspective of the actor and designer. University Theatre offers the Theatre Studies minor as a way for YSU students in other colleges to explore their interest in the theatre.