Ohio University School of Theater

The Ohio University School of Theater, nestled within the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, is a vibrant hub for aspiring theater artists and scholars dedicated to honing their craft through rigorous training and creative exploration. Located in Athens, Ohio, the program emphasizes a student-forward approach, fostering originality and collaboration to create bold artists with unique voices. Faculty mentors, who are experienced professionals, guide students in a supportive environment that encourages risk-taking and immersion in both performance and production aspects of theater. The school’s mission is to develop high-caliber theater professionals through storytelling and performance that reflect contemporary experiences while envisioning a diverse and equitable theater community.

The undergraduate experience at Ohio University’s School of Theater blends core theater studies with intensive training in specialized concentrations, offering both Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees. The B.A. in Theater provides a broad liberal arts foundation, ideal for students seeking flexibility to pursue double majors or minors, while the B.F.A. programs focus on professional training in specific disciplines such as acting, musical theater, playwriting, production design and technology, and stage management. Students engage in hands-on production opportunities, including full theatrical productions, musical theater cabarets, laboratory shows, and the annual Seabury-Quinn Playwrights Festival, which showcases student-written works. These experiences are complemented by a robust curriculum that includes theater history, dramatic literature, and practical production techniques.

Graduate programs at Ohio University’s School of Theater are equally rigorous, offering Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees designed for students with a strong foundation in theater who aim to advance their professional skills. The M.F.A. programs, including Professional Actor Training, Professional Director Training, and Production Design and Technology, require a minimum of 135 credit hours over three years and emphasize professional readiness through intensive studio work and production involvement. The M.A. program focuses on theater history and performance studies, with opportunities for in-depth study in directing or design. Graduate students benefit from close faculty mentorship, regular evaluations, and interactions with visiting artists from Broadway and international theater scenes, enhancing their professional development.

The School of Theater fosters a collaborative community through extracurricular organizations like Vibrancy Theater Company, which amplifies Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BI-POC) voices, and the Student Organization of Undergraduate Playwrights (SOUP). Students also participate in Lunchbag Theater Seminars and community discussions, enriching their artistic and cultural perspectives. The program’s facilities, including the renovated Kantner Hall with its proscenium theater and the thrust-stage theater in the Radio-Television Communication Building, provide state-of-the-art spaces for rehearsals and performances. Additionally, opportunities like the Monomoy Theater on Cape Cod offer students significant repertory production experiences, bridging academic and professional worlds.

Career preparation is a cornerstone of the program, with graduates securing internships at prestigious theaters such as Actors Theatre of Louisville and Milwaukee Repertory Theater, or pursuing advanced studies at institutions like Yale and The Old Globe. The curriculum includes business and audition skills courses, master classes with casting directors, and digital showcase opportunities to prepare students for professional success. The school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident in its support for initiatives like the Vibrancy Theater Fund, ensuring a sustainable space for underrepresented voices. With a holistic admissions process that includes auditions and interviews for B.F.A. programs, Ohio University’s School of Theater cultivates artists ready to make meaningful contributions to the theater industry.

Degree Programs and Majors

Undergraduate Programs

• B.A. in Theater (Major Code: BA5194)
• B.F.A. in Performance: Acting (Major Code: BF5048)
• B.F.A. in Performance: Musical Theater (Major Code: BF5049)
• B.F.A. in Production Design and Technology (Major Code: BF5162)
• B.F.A. in Stage Management (Major Code: BF5168)
• B.F.A. in Playwriting (Major Code: BF5158)
• Honors Tutorial College in Theater

Graduate Programs

• M.F.A. in Professional Actor Training
• M.F.A. in Professional Director Training
• M.F.A. in Production Design and Technology
• M.F.A. in Playwriting
• M.A. in Theater

Certificates and Minors

• Actor Musicianship: Music Focus Certificate
• Actor Musicianship: Theater Focus Certificate
• Stage Management Minor
• Theater Minor