Theatre Arts Major
Salve Regina University's theatre arts program offers a foundational education through a lens of equity and identity. Whether they're studying dramas, performing in or designing productions, or looking to serve communities, our students learn the value of theater as a tool for positive change.
Theater taught me so much more than solely performing. Theater taught me how to build a community, self-expression, to listen and have patience with others and yourself, empathy, inclusivity, awareness, to come from a place of understanding and so much more.
Isabella Birgmann '24
Discover Who You Are
We empower students to give back through their craft. It’s about discovering who you are, who others are and what others need from you as a theater artist. In line with Salve's mission, we ask how theater can be an act of mercy and reflect on our own practices of equity, identity and representation - and their impact on the world.
Empathy is at the heart of our program, with an atmosphere that encourages risk-taking and encounters that challenge students to dig for understanding and self-awareness. We also offer concentrations in acting, musical theater or technical theater.
What Sets Salve Apart
At Salve, theater is more than performance. We take students into the community where they use applied theater to address local concerns.
Salve has twice won the Citizen Artist Award at the Kennedy Center American Theatre College Festival for our devised plays.
Our students have been invited to perform at Lincoln Center on Broadway.
Salve Compass, a program that runs through all four years of the Salve experience, connects college to career, ensuring every student has the skills and knowledge to succeed in the job market.
Training and Performance Experiences
"What makes Salve unique is that you will be performing in your first year if you want to," said Reed Duncan, a double major in theatre arts and dance. "You're getting very close one-on-one training because of the small program size, so being able to soak up absolutely everything is incredible. I take every theater class I can, even if it doesn’t pertain to my concentration - I've fallen in love with the technical aspects and learning about how the show really gets put on."
Stagefright Theatre Company
Want to write, direct or produce your own work? StageFright is the place for you. Each year, StageFright produces two student-run productions and has also organized playwriting festivals, cabarets and workshops on things like stage combat or viewpoints.
Alumni Making Waves
Matthew Desorcy '24
Actor, Trinity Repertory Company
Matthew Desorcy is an actor, composer and musician. As his senior thesis, he published "Strike and Onward," an original piece from his full symphony titled "CAUTION: Actors at Play," which can be heard on all streaming platforms. He has joined Trinity Repertory Company as a seasonal performer.
Morgan Grambo '14
Dramaturg and producer
Morgan Grambo is a dramaturg, producer, writer and educator dedicated to the production of new plays. She has worked with Roundabout Theatre Company, Hartford Stage, Athena Project, University of Iowa and The Juilliard School, in addition to supporting artistic and new play development efforts at organizations across the country. Grambo received her MFA in dramaturgy and a graduate certificate in gender, women's and sexuality studies from the University of Iowa. She is one half of The Interstitial, a producing partnership with credits including "You Must Wear a Hat" (Theaterlab), "ward" (Court Square Theater), "In the Castle of Eternal Sunset: A Module for Ten 0th Level Characters" (Brick Aux) and "Denial" (ART/NY Dark Night Series). Grambo is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance at Salve.
Daniel Landino '20
Professional improv comedian and actor
Daniel Landino is a professional improvisational comedian with Newport's award-winning improv troupe the Bit Players, performing in repertory every weekend at the Firehouse Theater on Broadway. Having graduated from Salve’s clinical counseling and expressive and creative arts programs, he works as a clinical therapist when not on stage, weaving improvisation techniques into his counseling practice.
Recent Productions
Degree Options
Bachelor of Arts in theatre arts
Our students receive high-quality production and skill-based performance training and learn how theater can impact the lives of those around them, preparing them for careers in traditional theater and performance as well as political science, communications, advocacy and education. We offer optional concentrations in acting, musical theatre or technical theatre.
Minor in theatre arts
Meet Our Theatre Arts Faculty
Students interested in theater explore the theoretical and practical aspects of theatrical productions through analysis and performance. Our talented professors shape versatile artists with a top-level theater education to support success in the boardroom, the courtroom or the greenroom.
