BA Theatre Arts

Sacred Heart University's bachelor's degree in theatre arts includes 36 credits in your academic major, providing you with hands-on experience while growing your professional network long before graduation. With 18 credits making up your concentration in either acting or musical theatre, you will explore all elements of your craft, from performance to directing, to writing and design. You will build meaningful skills in communication, analysis, public speaking, teamwork and problem-solving, which translate to postgraduate careers in: 

Theatre arts majors can choose from two concentrations:

Students from across the University can take advantage of a theatre arts minor in the School of Communication, Media & the Arts. A minor in theatre arts allows non-majors to explore this area of focus by developing an understanding of theatre arts theory and history while building technical skills. 

The theatre arts curriculum prepares students for careers in production and performance as well as many other industry opportunities. Students build a broad range of skills applicable to a variety of roles, including:

Potential employers of theatre arts graduates include:

Performances and rehearsals take place at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts, which features a newly renovated and air-conditioned 776-seat auditorium. Theatre students and faculty also make use of the 60-seat black box style Little Theatre. Additionally, students have access to the Frank & Marisa Martire Center for the Liberal Arts, a $50 million, 120,000-square-foot world-class facility offering unparalleled resources, including a sound stage for film and television production and performance/motion capture animation studio.

During an academic year, students have numerous opportunities to work on live shows. The program produces six full-scale productions each year – two main stage shows in the Edgerton Center and four Little Theatre shows. The musicals and plays vary in style: past shows include:

Each show is under professional direction and is presented to the Sacred Heart University community and the public. In addition, students also have the chance to perform alongside professionals from the Connecticut Children’s Theatre as they present their biannual children’s show.

Learn more about SHU’s program and productions on the theatre arts program website.

In addition to having the ability to explore theatre at a collegiate level, students in the theatre arts program at SHU have the opportunity to earn participation grants and merit scholarships.

Learn more about scholarships & auditions