East Central University

East Central University’s Theatre program is housed within the School of Fine Arts inside the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, located in the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center in Ada, Oklahoma. The Department of Performing Arts offers a Bachelor of Science with concentration options in Theatre or Musical Theatre, as well as a theatre minor. The program pairs a liberal arts curriculum with professional-level performance training, allowing students to study acting, theatre history, design, script analysis, and production while benefiting from small-class mentorship. (turn0search4turn0search5)

Students are immersed in production from day one. ECU theatre majors participate in both mainstage and studio performances throughout the year, including productions mounted by the ECU Theatre company. Each student must participate in production practicum courses, which facilitate hands-on experience in acting, design, technical support, or stage management—supporting skill development through practice and collaboration.

The Musical Theatre concentration combines acting, voice, and movement training for students preparing for careers in musical performance. Coursework integrates performance labs, vocal coaching, dance technique, and audition preparation, guided by faculty who are active professionals. This track emphasizes both artistic rigor and professional readiness.

Facilities include the state-of-the-art Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center, which features classrooms, rehearsal labs, a 1,080-seat proscenium theatre, and studio theatre spaces. These performance venues—and the adjoining scenic, lighting, costume, and properties shops—provide resources comparable to four-year performing arts institutions.

ECU’s theatre program also fosters professional visibility through participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) and regional outreach activities. Students regularly join ensembles such as “Showtime,” the university’s high-energy show choir, and other community engagement initiatives. Graduates gain transferable skills in creative leadership, communication, and critical thinking—well-equipped for theatre careers, graduate training, or broader arts-related professions.