Our theatre arts program provides a comprehensive foundation in the field, with courses in acting, stagecraft and theater history. Students have access to extensive onstage and offstage training, which results in well-rounded artists who are prepared for any position in the theater.
Our Program
From dark comedies and suspense-filled dramas to timeless romances, musicals and tragedies, our performance program offers immediate opportunities for both onstage and classroom experiences. We stage three faculty-led productions each year, as well as two student-led shows through our student organization, StageFright. Our students have opportunities to be involved with every aspect of the production, including costumes, sets, lighting and sound.
Our students develop specific competencies that are essential to success in a variety of careers, including performance and presentation skills; strong verbal and written communication skills; the ability to work individually and collaboratively under pressure; project management and leadership skills; creative problem-solving skills; critical thinking skills and the ability to listen, clarify, question and respond with confidence.
Majors who are interested in a professional career or who plan to attend graduate school may pursue individual concentrations in acting and technical theater, which offer the highest levels of creative work and opportunities to work with professionals in the industry.
Program Spotlight: Newport’s Company
It’s not just college theater. They don’t treat us like we’re students – we’re treated like professionals and we’re expected to have that level of professionalism. There’s so much potential, so much talent that flows in this place. Every year, we pick different shows that push us even further.
Daniel Landino, psychology and theatre arts major
Our Faculty
Students interested in theater explore the theoretical and pragmatic aspects of theatrical productions through both analysis and performance experience. Our talented professors shape hybrid artists with a top-level theater education designed for success in the boardroom, the courtroom or the greenroom.
Life After Salve
A broad liberal arts education in theater produces graduates who are adaptable and self-directed and serves as a foundation for future development as thinking artists and productive citizens. Our graduates are well prepared for a lifetime of appreciation, participation and further study in the performing arts. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in the arts, business, education, government, performance, publishing, and much more.
Professional actor: Graduates are members of the Actors Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild and work across the country, from New York City to regional theatre to Broadway touring companies.
Teacher: Some graduates receive their certification and serve in public classrooms, while others are teaching artists in after-school and summer programs. Some have started their own educational theater companies to bring interactive drama to students.
Arts administrators: Graduates are marketing directors, grant writers and arts managers at theater companies large and small.
Graduate school: Students with a bachelor's degree in theatre arts are qualified to apply to graduate programs for the MFA in acting, directing or design or the Ph.D. in theater history or dramaturgy. Others pursue graduate study in a wide variety of disciplines.
Graduates may consider the following careers:
- Actor
- Arts administrator
- Community arts worker
- Drama therapist
- Radio presenter
- Stage manager
- Teacher
- Television production assistant
- Theater director
Major in Theatre Arts (B.A.)
14 courses | 40 credits
Required courses:
- ENG325: Studies in Shakespeare
- THE004: New York Theatre
- THE101: Introduction to Theatre Arts
- THE102: Beginning Acting
- THE135: Stagecraft
- THE211: Theatre History I
- THE212: Theatre History II
- THE318: Stage Management
- THE384: Dramatic Theory and Criticism
- THE461: Directing Theory and Action
- THE485: Thesis Preparation
- THE490: Senior Thesis
Students also choose two of the following:
- THE231: Makeup for Stage and Film
- THE241: Script Analysis
- THE265: Stage Combat
- THE343: Theatre for Children and Youth
- THE360: Production I
Majors are required to participate in a minimum of four main stage productions, two on stage and two behind the scenes.
Minor in Theatre Arts
7 courses | 18 credits
Required courses:
- THE101: Introduction to Theatre
- THE102: Beginning Acting
- THE135: Stagecraft
- THE212: Theatre History II
Students also choose three of the following:
- THE004: New York Theatre
- THE311: Introduction to Scenic Design
- THE320: Acting in Film and Television
- THE430: The Business of Acting
Minors are expected to participate in two main stage productions, with one as a performer and one as a crew member.