B.S. Theatre
Program Overview
Theatre is offered as one of the options of study that a student can choose within the Department of Communication and Theatre at Millersville University. The theatre program enriches the liberal arts mission of both the Department and the University, and contributes in a number of significant ways to the “creative campus” atmosphere encouraged at Millersville. The goal of the program is to provide undergraduate preparation that balances academic training in theatre fundamentals with production work in a variety of styles in order to develop a well-rounded background in theatre.
What is Theatre?
Professor Victor Capecce explains how Theatre is much bigger than you might think.
Why Study This Program
Millersville University Theatre produces mainstage shows annually rotating play choices to represent all major historical periods, Shakespeare, American classics, contemporary plays and musicals. Advanced students with interest and talent may have the opportunity to direct or design for major productions as a part of the University Theatre season or as a special project. Guest directors and designers regularly offer their talents in the production of plays on the University Theatre season.
In addition to the mainstage season, students involved in theatre at Millersville through the student theatre organization called Citamard (that’s “dramatic” spelled backward) organize activities to expand performance opportunities through one-act plays, staged readings, playwrighting opportunities and the production of an all-campus musical.
Theatre performance facilities on campus include The Rafters Theatre, a 100-seat “black box” flexible theatre and a 50-seat studio theatre, both in Dutcher Hall. Beginning in the Fall of 2012, Millersville's new Visual and Performing Arts Center started featuring theatre productions in a newly refurbished, 650 seat Lyte Auditorium. This proscenium space is also home to major lectures, concerts, the annual student-produced musical and touring companies.
Theatre support facilities include a well-equipped University Theatre scene shop in the Visual and Performing Arts Center and the Millersville Costume Shop. The Loeb Costume collection, a feature of this working shop, is one of this regions stock theatrical costume resources and includes over 15,000 costumes.
Technical and design students have frequent work opportunities at nearby professional theatres as production staff, contractors or crew.
What Will You Learn?
The Theatre concentration within the Speech Communication major provides students with unlimited comprehensive and immersive opportunities to grow their interests and skills in the realm of theatre. As part of their course of study, theatre students in both production and performance areas are able to receive valuable, practical experience through co-ops and internships at the many regional theatres in the area.
The Theatre option is available as a Speech Communication minor. The theatre minor is often combined with degrees in English Education, Music Education or other undergraduate courses of study.
THEATRE CONCENTRATION CURRICULUM