Theatre

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. Previous productions include:

• Heathers the Musical
• 1776
• Godspell
• As You Like It
• Cabaret

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.

View the BA in Theatre Major requirements.

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.

View the Theatre Minor requirements.

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