Emmanuel College Theater Arts Department

Emmanuel College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts, delivered through a program that combines theater history, dramatic literature, and performance technique with liberal arts study. Students gain a strong understanding of theatrical traditions—from Shakespeare to modern drama—as well as practical skills in acting, movement, voice, and ensemble play. The curriculum emphasizes developing creative versatility and critical literacy.

The program features an active production calendar, with students participating in two to four theatrical productions each semester ranging from student-directed pieces to large-scale works. These productions provide hands-on experience in roles like performing, designing, technical stagecraft, and backstage organization. This structure fosters both collaborative creativity and practical insight into the functioning of a theatre company.

Coursework includes classes such as Theatre History and Appreciation, Introduction to Acting, Shakespeare studies, History of American Musical Theater, advanced performance labs, script analysis, and public speech. This balanced approach ensures students explore both theory and applied artistry, preparing them for varied career paths in theatre, media, or education.

Despite being a smaller program—with typically fewer than five Theater Arts degrees awarded per year—Emmanuel provides students with high-quality mentoring, engaging classroom environments, and involvement in diverse theatrical forms. Small cohort sizes allow for individualized guidance, portfolio development, and strong peer and faculty collaboration.

Graduates emerge ready for regional theater, community engagement in the arts, or postgraduate study. The program supports skills in performance, design, direction, stage management, dramaturgy, and writing, allowing alumni to pursue careers in creative production, arts education, and scholarship. Emmanuel’s strategic location in Boston and membership in the Colleges of the Fenway consortium further enhances professional and cultural connections.