Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University (A-State) offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, organized under the College of Liberal Arts & Communication. Accredited by NAST, the program blends liberal arts study with professional-caliber training in areas such as acting, directing, stagecraft, design, playwriting, and theatre history. Courses range from Acting Shakespeare and Tap Dance to Sound Design, Theatre History, and Computer-Aided Design, offering students considerable flexibility in shaping their academic and artistic pathways.

Performance is integral to learning at A-State. Every student enrolls in the Practicum course, which embeds them directly in departmental productions—whether onstage or backstage—as part of faculty supervision. This hands-on model allows immediate application of classroom learning, with students earning both experience and academic credit through productions in venues like the 344-seat Drama Theatre and the adaptable black box Simpson Theatre housed in the Fowler Center.

The departmental production season includes multiple mainstage shows annually, as well as student-developed festivals such as the “Play in a Day Festival”, where original short dramas are created and performed in Simpson Theatre. This model fosters creative experimentation and responsive collaboration. The program also recently added a formal Musical Theatre emphasis, with dedicated coursework in singing, dance, and scene study.

Students benefit from top-notch facilities supporting immersive learning: a Scene Shop equipped with power tools and 3D printing, a LED-equipped Light Lab, a drafting-enabled Design Lab, and a fully outfitted Costume Shop featuring industrial sewing and embroidery machines. These spaces facilitate technical design training alongside performance-based coursework.

Beyond academics, the Department is supported by the Theatre Guild, a diverse community of alumni, arts practitioners, and patrons who contribute financially and support outreach initiatives like Play@State, discounted student tickets to productions, and departmental scholarships. One such scholarship encourages participation in at least three productions annually, fostering both engagement and affordability for students.