Plymouth State University

Plymouth State University’s Theatre Arts B.A. program is offered through the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance. It’s structured within a liberal arts framework that values both academic breadth and focused theatre training. Students choose one of several options—such as Acting, Dramatic Writing, Musical Theatre Performance, Theatrical Design & Technology, or Contract study (including areas like Arts Management, Directing, or Dramaturgy)—enabling a tailored and interdisciplinary learning experience.

Students engage fully in PSU’s robust production season, which typically includes six to seven shows annually—often featuring two musicals—presented across three on-campus theatres in the Silver Center for the Arts. These productions include faculty-directed, regional professional, and student-led works. Auditions are open to all university students, and opportunities include roles in performance, design, and production crew.

Core curriculum combines hands-on labs, classroom study, and production practicum. Required courses include Introduction to Theatre, Stagecraft Fundamentals, Introduction to Theatre Design, Costume Construction, Acting I, Script Analysis, American Theatre, and Directing for the Stage. Practicum and Advanced Practicum in Production are required each semester to gain backstage and stage experience.

Beyond coursework and productions, PSU students benefit from related co‑curricular programs and campus‑wide ensembles, such as the Music Theatre Company, New Play Development Lab, improv troupes, and educational activities through their Educational Theatre Collaborative. PSU also partners with the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin for study abroad and industry exposure.

This department emphasizes versatility—preparing students both for immediate creative engagement and further academic or professional training—while maintaining a liberal arts perspective. The commitment to small class mentoring, varied production work, and curricular flexibility empowers students across performance, writing, design, and management disciplines.