Cal State East Bay

California State University, East Bay’s Department of Theatre and Dance offers a dynamic and inclusive Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts, with concentration options including Acting/Musical Theatre, Design & Production, and Dance. From their very first year, students are encouraged to audition and participate in productions, ensuring early immersion in creative and collaborative practice. The program is known for its commitment to diversity, mentorship, and community engagement, aiming to educate well-rounded artists grounded in critical reflection and cultural awareness.

The Acting and Musical Theatre concentration emphasizes performance training across stage and screen, with courses in audition technique, acting fundamentals, voice and movement, and ensemble practice. Musical Theatre students take dedicated ensemble classes every quarter for two years, applying learned skills in fully realized mainstage musicals each spring. The curriculum is designed to develop versatile performers steeped in both technique and expressive range.

Design and Technical Theatre students receive hands-on training in areas like scenic, lighting, sound, costume, and makeup design. Courses such as Theatre Projects Capstone and Production Support Crew give students practical production credits and portfolio work. Facilities include performance labs equipped with professional technology, and many graduates go on to continue training or work in regional theatre environments.

The department’s production season features a full-scale play in the fall and a musical in the spring, alongside dance concerts and student-driven ensemble works. Auditions are open to all university students, reflecting East Bay’s inclusive philosophy. The performance calendar supports both classical and contemporary repertoire and encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration with neighboring programs in music and dance.

Located in Hayward and part of the culturally rich East Bay region, CSUEB theatre students benefit from proximity to the Bay Area’s vibrant arts ecosystem. The program’s values—creativity, social justice, inclusion, and mentorship—are embedded in its pedagogical mission. Graduates emerge prepared for careers in performance, design, stage management, or education, with a foundation in both artistic practice and critical inquiry.