Wayne State University

Wayne State University’s Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre & Dance offers both a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, with two distinct BFA tracks: Performance and Design/Technical Theatre & Management. The BA program delivers a broad liberal-arts foundation in dramatic literature, theatre history, design, and performance practice, while the BFA provides intensive, pre-professional training tailored for careers in acting or technical theatre.

A hallmark of the program is its location in Detroit’s rich urban arts environment, where students connect classroom learning with professional theatre. Wayne State is closely affiliated with local cultural institutions, and its productions often take place in venues like the newly opened Hilberry Gateway Performing Arts Complex, which includes a 550-seat proscenium stage, a 250-seat black box, and a fully equipped production wing.

Students gain extensive practical experience through an ambitious production schedule of more than 20 shows per academic year, including mainstage productions, student-driven works, and collaborative performances like Motor City Cabaret and Summer Children’s Theatre. These opportunities are available to all majors, minors, and interested students through practicum-based involvement in acting, design, stage management, or technical crew roles.

Curricular offerings include foundational studio courses such as Acting I–IV, Stagecraft, Design Essentials, Voice & Movement, and Musical Theatre Performance, which culminate in more advanced training in audition prep, stage management, and entrepreneurial arts courses. Students working toward performance or technical tracks may audition or interview in their sophomore year to be admitted to the competitive BFA program, where they must maintain departmental standards including a 3.0 GPA in theatre coursework.

Graduates leave Wayne State University with multiple production credits, a portfolio or performance reel, and professional development experience gained through campus and community collaborations. The mix of rigorous training, performance access, and urban industry partnerships gives students a strong foundation for careers in performance, design, production management, or further graduate study in theatre and related fields.