Do you love being on stage? Is Shakespeare your idea of a good read? Do you want to learn how to create, direct, and design your own play?
Consider majoring in Theatre, where we study and perform the human condition.
Degrees Offered
- BA in Theatre
- Minor in Theatre
Related Degrees
About Theatre
Theatre artists inspire, entertain, and challenge audiences with live performances that enhance our capacity for empathy and illuminate our common humanity. At Converse we train and support the next generation of performing artists by providing programs that promote intellectual curiosity, creativity and lifelong learning. The stage is our laboratory, a place where we grow and create in community.
We teach and inspire our theatre students by sharing rigorous scholarship, unique studio process, and transformative live performance. Our primary focus in the classroom, in rehearsal, and in live performance is to give student artists opportunities and support to succeed. Join us and find your light!
- Perform powerful roles in a unique environment
Enjoy small class sizes and a dedication to personal mentorship- Study the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique with certified teacher, Professor Melissa Owens
- Take cutting-edge courses in devised theatre and dramaturgy
- Create a collaborative senior capstone project like writing a play, researching a dead diva or directing a musical
Productions
Converse’s rich production season includes mainstage and studio series productions, giving you opportunities to shine onstage, backstage and off the stage in all aspects of theatre arts, technical production, production design, arts management or playwriting. See details about our past productions.
Internships
- Stage Management Team, Spartanburg Little Theatre’s The Mystery of Irma Vep
- Actor, Spartanburg Youth Theatre’s The Fantastic Mr. Fox
- Assistant Director, Spartanburg Little Theatre’s Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
- Drama Teacher, Woodland Heights Elementary After School Program
Study-Travel
Theatre & Dance students have the opportunity to study and experience live international theatre through the recurring Travel-Study course offered in the January term.
Our students explored literature and theatre in England with Dr. Templeton & Professor Owens. The 12-day trip included visits to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare, and guided walking tours through the literature-rich streets of London. Our group of Converse artists and scholars visited many amazing sites in the city including the British Museum and the West End, of course, to see the best in live theatre!
The study of theatre includes instruction in major works of dramatic literature, dramatic styles and types, and understanding the principles of organizing and producing full productions. As a theatre student, you will have a wide variety of roles in productions: from stage management, to directing, acting, movement, stage lighting, costuming, set design, and script writing. In addition to hands-on learning, you will understand the evolution of Theatre by exploring the history and theory of Theatre, and a great deal of literature.
Sample Courses
- Fundamentals of Stage Design
- Theatre History
- Technical Production
- Directing
- Dramaturgy
- Theatre Pedagogy
- Chekhov
- Period Styles
- Careers
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre
The Theatre degree involves intensive study and research in histories and theories of performance. You’ll develop skills in analyzing, anticipating, and executing performance. We want you to grow as an artist and a future professional in our program.
You may choose to take additional courses in the department that will lead to a concentration in one of the following areas: acting, directing, dramaturgy, technical production, production design, arts management, or playwriting.
Minor in Theatre
The Theatre Minor is designed to complement other majors by providing a basic understanding of performance, history and theories of theatre. With required courses in Script Analysis, Technical Production and Practicum credit, the rest of the 24 minor credits can be chosen from any area of Theatre interest.
What are common careers in Theatre?
- Actor
- Director
- Dramaturg
- Costume, Scenic or Lighting Designer
- Playwright
- Technical Staff
- Arts Management
- Educator
What are Theatre alumni doing?
Our Theatre graduates are currently working in a variety of fields or attending graduate school to pursue Masters of Fine Arts degrees.
Grad Schools
- Trinity College, Dublin
- Texas Tech University
- Royal Scottish Academy
- American Musical and Dramatic Academy
- Sarah Lawrence University
- Wayne State University
- University of Kansas
- Virginia Commonwealth University
Jobs
- Shakespeare in the City Festival, Glasgow, Actor
- Chapman University, Assistant Professor
- Nutty Scientist Group, Special Effects Make-up
- Carowinds Theme Park, Performer
- Centre Stage, Production Director
- Centre Stage, Actor/Director
- Welk Theatre, Actor
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