Program Information

About the Programs Offered

There are three programs offered by the department of theatre studies – the performance emphasis, the general theatre emphasis, and the design and technology emphasis, all of which lead to a bachelor of fine arts degree (B.F.A.).

• The performance emphasis develops students’ abilities and experience in performing and includes courses in acting, dance, physical theatre, movement, speech, stage combat, and vocal performance for the musical theatre. Upon successful completion of the program, students may pursue careers in the theatre or continue their theatre studies on the professional or graduate level, in preparation either for careers in performance, directing, or in education related to the theatre.
• The general theatre emphasis acquaints students with a broad spectrum of theatre studies and experience which includes performance, design, technical theatre, management and the preparation of productions. Upon successful completion of the program, general theatre students obtain entry level positions in theatre, entertainment management or production; they may also continue theatre related studies for careers in education or in the professional theatre.
• The theatre design and technology emphasis provides students with studio/classroom and hands-on training under the guidance of working professionals. The key aspects of theatre design – scenery, costumes, and lighting – are studied. In addition to the sequence of course study, there are practicums for each student every semester where theory is put into practice. Upon successful completion of the program, design/technology students may pursue positions in professional theatre or advanced training in well respected graduate programs, in preparation for careers as designers, technicians or in education related to the theatre.

All sequences include study of the history, literature and criticism of the theatre from its beginning to the present day. In addition to the academic programs, an integral part of students’ training in theatre are the major productions offered in the Leary Theatre and the Niagara University Theatre-atthe-Church, the student-directed short plays, the 24 Hour Project, a student produced production and Niagara University Repertory Theatre (A touring children’s theatre company). Theatre students are required to participate in productions, which are also open to all students of the university.

Study Abroad

Niagara University Theatre offers a unique London, England Study Abroad program that enables students to spend two months living in London and earning 12 semester hours toward their undergraduate degree. Through a special affiliation with Schiller International University, N.U. theatre students study Elizabethan/Jacobean Drama, current British Theatre, Acting and Performance. Also, students complete a directed research project based on their experiences in London and site visitations. Additionally, students attend over a dozen productions in London’s West End, Shakespeare’s New Globe Theatre, Olivier’s National Theatre and Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Schiller’s London Campus is located just minutes away from the heart of the theatre district and directly across from Waterloo Station and the banks of the River Thames. Within view and walking distance of the campus are The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Cathedral, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace. Students interested in the London Theatre Study Abroad should contact Dr. Sharon Watkinson early in their academic career in order to pre-plan and allow for the Schiller International University experience.