California Baptist University

California Baptist University (CBU), located in Riverside, offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre as part of its Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Performing Arts. This faith-integrated program emphasizes both artistic excellence and personal formation. Students study acting, design, theatre history, and performance techniques in small cohort-style classes, supported by faculty who are active professionals in theatre and film.

The BA in Theatre includes concentrations in Performance, Musical Theatre, and Design & Production. The Performance track focuses on acting, movement, voice, scene study, and audition technique for stage and screen. Musical Theatre adds coursework in voice, dance, and music theory to cultivate triple-threat artists. Design & Production provides hands-on training in scenic, lighting, sound, props, and costume design.

Students apply classroom learning to practice by participating in four full-scale productions annually—one play and one musical each semester. These department productions are coordinated in the Wallace Theatre and feature student involvement in acting, design, and technical roles. Guest artists and industry professionals regularly offer masterclasses and workshops, enriching the learning environment.

CBU places emphasis on mentorship and spiritual community. Weekly gatherings known as “Community Time” combine worship, scriptural reflection, peer discussion, and guest speakers from the entertainment industry, highlighting the integration of faith and art. The faculty-to-student ratio is purposefully small, allowing for personalized guidance in both technical development and character formation.

Graduates leave the program equipped for careers or continued training in performance, design, or theatre education—within both professional and faith-based environments. Alumni have gone on to work with companies such as Disney, Shakespeare by the Sea, and Summerfest productions, and many pursue graduate study abroad or in nationally recognized programs.