BA in Theatre

Combine theory and practice in the theatre program at Georgia Southern University, where you’ll explore all aspects of the production process — from performance to the behind-the-scenes work necessary to mount a production.

Locations

  • Statesboro Campus (In Person)
  • Armstrong Campus (In Person, Minor Only)

Why Major in Theatre at Georgia Southern?

  • Join a program that incorporates theatrical history, performance, production and business.
  • Take part in four mainstage productions a year on campus.
  • Stage productions are held in our black-box space, in the 800-seat Center for Art & Theatre, or in Georgia Southern’s Performing Arts Center.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to attend national conferences, work in summer stock or participate in meaningful internships.
  • 124 credit hours to completion.

Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre program prepares graduates for a future in theatre while also grounding students in its theories and history. While here, you’ll participate in numerous full production experiences, accessing opportunities in acting, design, dramaturgy, theatre-focused research and criticism, production management, technology, musical theatre and video production.

Experienced faculty cover a wide range of production styles, including children’s theatre, physical comedy, drama and musicals. You’ll also learn about emergent theory, practice and technology, as well as pursue a deeper understanding of the importance of theatre in the world today. This foundation equips you to promote a culture of social engagement and global awareness on campus and beyond.

Ready to Apply?

Loading…

Or, you can:

Visit Campus

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Theatre?

$

Median wage for producers and directors in 2023.

$

Median wage for set and exhibit designers in 2023.

$

Median wage for workers in the fine arts and performing arts in 2022.

Where our graduates work:

  • Actor’s Express
  • Alley Theatre
  • Alliance Theatre
  • AMC
  • Amazon Prime
  • ArtsBridge Foundation
  • Broadway
  • California State University Long Beach
  • Fox Theatre
  • Keen Company
  • Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
  • Netflix
  • Savannah Stage Company
  • Orlando Shakespeare Festival
  • Tiny Theatre Company

What our graduates do:

  • Actor
  • Assistant professor
  • Casting director
  • Choreographer
  • Designer
  • Director
  • Entertainment reporter
  • Playwright
  • Production administrator
  • Production manager
  • Set designer
  • Sound technician
  • Stage manager
  • Stunt performer
  • Talent director
  • Theatre operations manager
  • Wig, hair and makeup designer

What You’ll Learn

Georgia Southern’s hands-on Bachelor of Arts in Theatre program delves into all aspects of this global art form. You’ll explore production-oriented skills such as text analysis, acting, design and directing. You’ll contextualize this knowledge as you study theatre history, world repertory and intersecting disciplines.

Because theatre is a business as much as it is an art, you’ll also learn about auditioning, theatre management, portfolios and other professional standards.

See the Theatre Curriculum

Build Your Experience

The theatre experience at Georgia Southern goes far beyond the classroom. Students in the major and minor programs regularly produce contemporary and classical works on campus and also take advantage of opportunities like these:

Outside the Classroom

Georgia Southern theatre majors frequently participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) — where our technical and design students enjoy a 95% placement rate.

Three B.A. in Theatre students at Georgia Southern during a rehearsal for a production in a black box theater

Get Involved

Organizations such as Theatre South in Statesboro and Masquers on the Armstrong campus let you participate in even more workshops and productions. You can also join Alpha Psi Omega, a national theatre honors fraternity.

Practicum

Put your skills to work in practicum courses under the close supervision of our experienced faculty. Earn credit for performing in a Theatre Program-approved production. Become a stage manager, board operator, or set or costume designer, among other possibilities.

Three theatre majors hold a school banner outside Georgia Southern's Wexford, Ireland campus

Studying Abroad

Georgia Southern students have performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and are encouraged to study abroad in England, Ireland, Italy and Japan with the support of scholarships.

Additional Information

Follow these steps to complete the Georgia Southern application:

  • Create an application account.
  • Complete our online application using the PIN you received after creating your application account.
  • Once complete, pay the $30 application fee or upload a valid fee waiver. Previous Georgia Southern applicants and dual enrollment students do not need to pay the fee.
  • You can check your application status at My.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/admissions three days after completing your application. This page contains live information about your admission status, including a checklist of missing documents we need to make a decision.
Apply as a First-Year Student Transfer to Georgia Southern

Georgia Southern University’s theatre program is an Institutional member of The National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).

11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248
703-437-0700
info@arts-accredit.org

Students in the theatre program may qualify for scholarships offered solely to Department of Communication Arts students. Some of these scholarships include:

See All Communication Arts Scholarships

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Graduation Plan

Course and Advisement Information

Freshman Year
All Majors REGARDLESS OF AREA OF FOCUS

Fall  
THEA 2300 – Script Analysis
THEA 2333 – Acting I: Fundamentals of Acting

Spring
THEA 2332 – Stagecraft
THEA 1100 – Theatre Appreciation  or THEA 2410 Oral Interpretation

SOPHOMORE YEAR

Fall
THEA 3200 Stage Design Concepts
THEA Acting Elective (Acting Directing Concentration)

Spring
THEA 3230 Voice for the Stage
THEA 4330 or 4331 Theatre History I or II (depends on rotation)

Either Semester
THEA 2711 Theatre Practicum
Any THEA elective in area of concentration

JUNIOR YEAR

Fall
THEA 4337 Costume Design (Design Tech Concentration)
THEA Acting Elective (Acting Directing Concentration)
THEA elective
THEA 3711—Practicum—Professional Development

Spring
THEA 4330 or 4331 Theatre History I or II (depends on rotation)
THEA 4335 Scene Design or THEA 4336 Lighting Design (Design Tech Concentration)
THEA 3337 Directing (Acting Directing Concentration)
*Acting Directing Concentrations must take one upper division Design Class
THEA Elective

SENIOR YEAR

Fall
THEA 4711 Practicum—Capstone
THEA Electives (6 hours)

Spring
THEA 3337 Directing (Tech Design Concentration)
THEA Electives (6 hours)

You also need to complete your minor requirements – 15 credit hours, 12 of which need to be upper division.

Following is the course rotation for theatre minor on the Armstrong Campus
This course rotation is tentative and is dependent on the availability of faculty. 
 
Each semester:
THEA 1100 – Theatre Appreciation
 
Each Fall:
THEA 2300 – Script Analysis
THEA 3200 – Stage Design Concepts
An upper division course
 
Each Spring:
THEA 2333 – Fundamentals of Acting
THEA 2332 – Stage Construction Techniques
 
Every other Fall:
THEA 3230 – Voice for the Stage
OR
THEA 3233 – Audition & Business
THEA 3337 – Directing
 
Every other Spring:
THEA 4335 – Scene Design
THEA 4334 – Drama in Performance
THEA 4330 – Theatre History I
THEA 4331 – Theatre History II
 
Following is the course rotation for the Statesboro Campus
This course rotation is tentative and is dependent on the availability of faculty. 
 
The following courses will be offered Fall 2023:
THEA 1100: Theatre Appreciation
THEA 2300: Script Analysis
THEA 2332: Stage Construction Techniques
THEA 2333: Fundamentals of Acting
THEA 2711/4711: Practicum
THEA 3234: Acting for the Screen
THEA 3333: Irish Theatre
THEA 3336: Theatre Management
THEA 3337: Directing
 
The following courses will be offered Spring 2024:
THEA 1100: Theatre Appreciation
THEA 2332: Stage Construction Techniques
THEA 2333: Fundamentals of Acting
THEA 2711/3711: Practicum
THEA 3131: Makeup
THEA 3230: Voice for the Stage
THEA 4332: Children’s Theatre
THEA 4335: Scene Design
THEA 4338: World Theatre-Russian
THEA 4711: Practicum
THEA 5530: Playwriting
 
The following courses will be offered Fall 2024:
THEA 1100: Theatre Appreciation
THEA 2330: Script Analysis
THEA 2332: Stage Construction Techniques
THEA 2333: Fundamentals of Acting
THEA 2711/4711: Practicum
THEA 3200: Design Concepts
THEA 3333: Irish Theatre
THEA 3336: Theatre Management
THEA 3337: Directing
THEA 3234: Acting for the Screen
 
The following courses will be offered Spring 2025:
THEA 1100: Theatre Appreciation
THEA 2332: Stage Construction Techniques
THEA 2333: Fundamentals of Acting
THEA 2711/3711: Practicum
THEA 3131: Makeup
THEA 3230: Voice for the Stage
THEA 3233: Audition and the Business of Acting
THEA 3330: Acting – Scene Study
THEA 4330: Theatre History I
THEA 4337: Lighting Design
 
The following courses will be offered Fall 2025:
THEA 1100: Theatre Appreciation
THEA 2330: Script Analysis
THEA 2332: Stage Construction Techniques
THEA 2333: Fundamentals of Acting
THEA 2711/4711: Practicum
THEA 3200: Design Concepts
THEA 3231: Movement for the Actor
THEA 3337: Directing
THEA 4333: Acting Styles
THEA 4337: Costume Design
 
The following courses will be offered Spring 2026:
THEA 1100: Theatre Appreciation
THEA 2300: Script Analysis
THEA 2332: Stage Construction Techniques
THEA 2333: Fundamentals of Acting
THEA 2711/3711: Practicum
THEA 3131: Makeup
THEA 3230: Voice for the Stage
THEA 3330: Scene Study
THEA 4331: Theatre History II
THEA 4332: Children’s Theatre
THEA 4335: Scene Design
THEA 4338: World Theatre – Russian
THEA 5530: Playwriting
 
The following courses will be offered Fall 2026:
THEA 1100: Theatre Appreciation
THEA 2300: Script Analysis
THEA 2332: Stage Construction Techniques
THEA 2333: Fundamentals of Acting
THEA 2711/4711: Practicum
THEA 3200: Scene Design Concepts
THEA 3234: Acting for the Screen
THEA 3333: Irish Theatre
THEA 3336: Theatre Management
THEA 3337: Directing
 
The following courses will be offered Spring 2027:
THEA 1100: Theatre Appreciation
THEA 2332: Stage Construction Techniques
THEA 2333: Fundamentals of Acting
THEA 2711: Pracitcum
THEA 3131: Makeup
THEA 3230: Voice for the Stage
THEA 3233: Audition and the Business of Acting
THEA 3330: Acting – Scene Study
THEA 4330: Theatre History I
THEA 4332: Children’s Theatre & Storytelling
THEA 4336: Lighting Design

Alumni Feature

“The Georgia Southern Theatre program gave me many opportunities to become a well-rounded theatrical artist. The faculty’s encouragement and support, as well as the wide range of classes and production experience, helped me jump-start my career when I graduated. I have a deep appreciation for the theatre program, which helped me become the stage manager and designer I am today.”

Gabby Scott, ’22

Georgia Southern B.A. in Theatre alum Gabby Scott wears a headset while working behind the scenes

As a transfer student to Georgia Southern, I came in worried I wouldn’t fit in. But after that first day in the Center for Art and Theatre (CAT), I knew that this is where I should have been for my undergraduate career. The professors all welcomed me with open arms like I had been there from the beginning. They helped me secure opportunities I wouldn’t have been offered at other places. The opportunities are plentiful, all you have to do is ask for them. The faculty and staff will help guide you and help you find your passion in whatever you want to do. I’m now working professionally and in graduate school because of the opportunities and relationships that I formed in my time at Southern and by being a part of the theatre program.

James William Hodges, ’22

I would not be where I am today if not for the Georgia Southern Theatre program. The education and guidance from my professors, as well as the time spent with my classmates, helped me gain the experiences needed to succeed. I have gained lifelong friendships, morals, dedication to my work and memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.

David J. Jackson, ’18

Actor performs in a production of Country Wife

Take the Next Step

Raise the curtain on your theatre career with a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern, whether you’re looking to bask in the spotlight or go behind the scenes. Learn more today.

Contact Us

Department of Communication Arts
Sanford Hall
P.O. Box 8091
Statesboro, GA 30460
Phone: 912-478-5138
Fax: 912-478-0822
Email: commarts@georgiasouthern.edu

Black Box Theatre Box Office
912-478-5379