About

Are you ready to take it to the mainstage? Do you love the thrill of a rising curtain?

Study in the concentration that’s right for you. Our program is designed to give you the skills you need to make a living while making a life in the theatre arts. Explore the concentrations below.

Professional Actor Training. Professional actor training is patterned after a world-famous New York studio, offering training for students interested in the performance of serious plays, comedies and musical theatre. Students receive weekly 18-hour dose of actor training, in addition to sessions with our stage-veteran professors. Actors are taught to work in film and television as well as on stage.

Musical Theatre. Musical theatre training prepares students for competitive entry into the field of commercial, Broadway-style musical theatre. Enjoy courses in acting, music and dance essential to the stage.

Theatre Design and Production. When studying theatre design and production, students work in fully equipped scenery and property shops and studios. Focus areas include scenic design, scenic painting, properties, scenic construction, costume design, costume construction, lighting design and electrics. All the school’s indeed the stage, as design and production students are the key to professional quality work supporting five mainstage performances in the state-of-the-art McGinnis Theatre, multiple performances in the flexible studio theatre, and two performances in a nearby auditorium in support of elementary arts education.

Stage Management. Stage management provides students a concentration in which one learns the skills to work as assistant state managers and stage managers on fully produced mainstage productions, as well as workshop experiences. The concentration accommodates majors who wish to also pursue a secondary interest in acting, design and production or dance.

Theatre for Youth. In this concentration, you will gain comprehensive, intensive training including academics, studio training and performance internships. In this concentration, you’ll work with ECU Storybook Theatre to stage two mainstage productions annually for ECU’s successful Arts Smart and Family Fare series, and you’ll likely tour these productions to regional theatres. ECU Storybook Theatre also takes repertory literacy-theatre programming into rural schools across eastern North Carolina, motivating students and enhancing media center usage after every visit. Additionally, Theatre for Youth students participate in the Global Classroom Initiative, partnering with universities in countries including Peru and Russia to extend their understanding of and exposure to children’s theatre and cultures around the world.

The ECU Advantage

You’ve heard of Sandra Bullock, right? Professional actor training. How about Howell Binkley, the design and production machine who holds Tony Awards for lighting Jersey Boys and critical acclaim for lighting everything from Dracula to West Side Story? You’ve seen Kevin Williamson’s Scream, Dawson’s Creek, the Vampire Diaries and I Know What You Did Last Summer, right?

ECU Advantage

Sandra Bullock, the Oscar and Golden Globe Award-winning actor, studied Professional Actor Training at ECU. Before Howell Binkley won Tony and Olivier Awards for lighting Broadway shows including Jersey Boys and Hamilton, he was refining his skills in ECU's McGinnis Theatre. Kevin Williamson (Dawson's Creek, Scream) started his career at ECU. Our BFA in Theatre Arts allows you to study in a program that produces national and international-level talent.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinators by Concentrations:

Admission to the acting, educational theatre, musical theatre, and theatre for young audiences concentrations are by adjudication. Please refer to the School of Theatre and Dance website for details.

Theatre arts majors must attain a minimum grade of C- in all required theatre courses.  All theatre (THEA) courses are restricted to declared theatre arts majors. Enrollment by other majors requires permission of instructor.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit see General Education Program.)

    a. Acting concentration:
    • THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
    • THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
    • THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
    b. Educational theatre concentration:
    • PSYC 2777 - Ethnocultural Psychology
      • OR
    • SOCI 1010 - Race, Gender, Class

    • THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
    • THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
    • THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
    c. Entertainment design and production concentration:
    • THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
    • THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
    • THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
    d. Musical theatre concentration:
    • THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
    • THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
    • THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
    e. Stage management concentration:
    • THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
    • THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
    • THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
    f. Theatre for young audiences concentration:
    • THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
    • THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
    • THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
2. Core - 8 s.h.
  • THEA 2011 - Theatre Technology Lab
  • THEA 2012 - Theatre Design Lab
  • THEA 2035 - Theatre History-Literature I
  • THEA 2075 - Script Analysis
3. Concentrations - 64-72 s.h.

(Choose one.)

    a. Acting concentration - 68 s.h.

    Admission to the acting concentration is by adjudication; refer to the School of Theatre and Dance website for details.

      Theatre theory and practice (50 s.h.)
      • THEA 1020 - Introduction to Acting II
      • THEA 2006 - The Art of Make-up
      • THEA 2010 - Acting Studio I
      • THEA 2015 - Introduction to Voice and Speech
      • THEA 2017 - Movement for Actors
      • THEA 2018 - Stage Combat: Unarmed
      • THEA 2020 - Acting Studio II
      • THEA 3010 - Acting Studio III
      • THEA 3018 - Movement for Actors II: Physical Characterization
      • THEA 3020 - Acting Studio IV
      • THEA 3025 - Voice and Speech for the Actor

      • THEA 3035 - Theatre History-Literature II
        • OR
      • THEA 3055 - Global History of Music in Theatre

      • THEA 4010 - Period and Style Acting
      • THEA 4025 - Television and Film Practicum for the Actor I
      • THEA 4031 - Dialects for the Actor
      • THEA 4040 - Directing I
      • THEA 4070 - Professional Preparation and Audition Technique for Actors
      Theatre and dance electives (12 s.h.)

      Choose 12 s.h. of THEA or DNCE courses.

        Production practicum (6 s. h.)

        The following course must be taken twice:

        • THEA 3000 - Theatre Performance
      b. Educational theatre concentration - 72 s.h.

      Admission to the educational theatre concentration is by adjudication; refer to the School of Theatre and Dance website for details.

        Theatre theory and practice (39 s.h.)
        • THEA 1020 - Introduction to Acting II

        • THEA 2010 - Acting Studio I
          • OR
        • THEA 3050 - Advanced Acting I

        • THEA 2015 - Introduction to Voice and Speech

        • THEA 2020 - Acting Studio II
          • OR
        • THEA 3060 - Advanced Acting II

        • THEA 2030 - Drama in Education
        • THEA 3030 - Theatre for Young Audiences

        • THEA 3035 - Theatre History-Literature II
          • OR
        • THEA 3055 - Global History of Music in Theatre

        • THEA 3041 - Curriculum Planning for Theatre Arts
        • THEA 3300 - Playwriting and Dramatic Literature for Young Audiences
        • THEA 3604 - Theatre for Social Change
        • THEA 4040 - Directing I
        • THEA 4064 - Stage Management Lab
        • THEA 4065 - Stage Management I
        • THEA 4066 - Theatre Management
        Professional courses (27 s. h.)
        • EDTC 4001 - Technology in Education
        • EDUC 3200 - Foundations of American Education

        • EDUC 4400 - Foundations of School Learning, Motivation, and Assessment
          • OR
        • PSYC 4305 - Educational Psychology

        • READ 3990 - Teaching Reading in the Content Areas in the Secondary School
        • SPED 4010 - Effective Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms
        • THEA 2123 - Early Experiences for the Prospective Teacher
        • THEA 4323 - The Teaching of Theatre Arts in Grades K-12
        • THEA 4324 - Internship in Theatre Education
        • THEA 4325 - Internship Seminar: Issues in Theatre Education
        Dance or movement (3 s. h.)

        Choose 3 s. h. from the following:

        • DNCE 1001 - Fundamentals of Ballet
        • DNCE 1014 - Tap I
        • DNCE 1114 - Beginning Ballet I
        • DNCE 1116 - Beginning Jazz I
        • DNCE 1124 - Beginning Ballet II
        • DNCE 1126 - Beginning Jazz II
        • DNCE 2024 - Tap II
        • THEA 2017 - Movement for Actors
        Production practicum (3 s. h.)
        • THEA 3000 - Theatre Performance
      c. Entertainment design and production concentration - 64 s.h.

      Annual portfolio review is required to maintain enrollment in the theatre design and production concentration.

        Theatre theory and practice (45 s.h.)
        • THEA 2003 - Scene Painting
        • THEA 2006 - The Art of Make-up
        • THEA 2009 - Decor and Ornament for the Stage
        • THEA 2099 - Career Preparation
        • THEA 3002 - Advanced Theatrical Drafting
        • THEA 3003 - Stage Lighting I
        • THEA 3004 - Scenery Design I
        • THEA 3005 - Scenery Design II
        • THEA 3006 - Sound Design for the Stage
        • THEA 3007 - Costume Design I
        • THEA 3008 - Costume Design II
        • THEA 3011 - Creative Collaboration
        • THEA 3035 - Theatre History-Literature II
        • THEA 4003 - Stage Lighting II
        • THEA 4064 - Stage Management Lab
        • THEA 4065 - Stage Management I
        • THEA 4099 - Design and Production Portfolio
        Theatre and dance electives (3 s.h.)

        Choose 3 s.h. of THEA and DNCE courses.

          Production practicum (16 s.h.)
          • Take each of the following courses twice:
          • THEA 1111 - Apprentice Level Production
          • THEA 2222 - Intern Level Production
          • THEA 3333 - Journeyman Level Production

          • Take the following course once:
          • THEA 4444 - Master Level Production
        d. Musical theatre concentration - 66 s.h.

        Admission to the musical theatre concentration is by adjudication; refer to the School of Theatre and Dance website for details.

          Dance (17 s.h.)

          Students must complete a minimum of two courses in tap, two courses in ballet, and three courses in jazz. 

            Theatre theory and practice (43 s.h.)
            • THEA 1020 - Introduction to Acting II
            • THEA 1027 - Musical Theatre Fundamentals I
            • THEA 1037 - Musical Theatre Fundamentals II
            • THEA 1061 - Musical Theatre Private Voice (Repeat for a total of 4 s.h.)
            • THEA 1108 - Introduction to Musical Theatre Voice I
            • THEA 1118 - Introduction to Musical Theatre Voice II
            • THEA 2006 - The Art of Make-up

            • THEA 2010 - Acting Studio I
              • OR
            • THEA 3050 - Advanced Acting I

            • THEA 2015 - Introduction to Voice and Speech

            • THEA 2020 - Acting Studio II
              • OR
            • THEA 3060 - Advanced Acting II

            • THEA 3025 - Voice and Speech for the Actor
            • THEA 3055 - Global History of Music in Theatre
            • THEA 3090 - Musical Theatre Performance Techniques I
            • THEA 3095 - Musical Theatre Performance Techniques II
            • THEA 4031 - Dialects for the Actor
            • THEA 4090 - Musical Theatre Performance Technique III
            • THEA 4095 - Musical Theatre Performance Technique IV
            Production practicum (6 s. h.)

            Take the following course twice:

            e. Stage management concentration - 69 s.h.

            Annual portfolio review is required to maintain enrollment in the stage management concentration.

              Dance (2 s.h.)

              Choose 2 s.h. of ballet, tap, jazz, or contemporary techniques.

                Theatre theory and practice (48 s.h.)
                • THEA 2004 - Introduction to Theatrical Properties
                • THEA 2006 - The Art of Make-up
                • THEA 2099 - Career Preparation
                • THEA 2235 - Global Theatre
                • THEA 3001 - Stage Management Seminar Repeat for 3 s.h.
                • THEA 3003 - Stage Lighting I
                • THEA 3004 - Scenery Design I
                • THEA 3006 - Sound Design for the Stage
                • THEA 3007 - Costume Design I
                • THEA 3011 - Creative Collaboration
                • THEA 3035 - Theatre History-Literature II
                • THEA 4040 - Directing I
                • THEA 4064 - Stage Management Lab
                • THEA 4065 - Stage Management I
                • THEA 4066 - Theatre Management
                • THEA 4099 - Design and Production Portfolio
                • THEA 4165 - Stage Management II
                • THEA 4265 - Stage Management III
                Theatre dance electives (6 s.h.)

                Choose 6 s.h. of THEA or DNCE courses.

                  Production practicum (13 s.h.)
                  • Take the following courses twice:
                  • THEA 1111 - Apprentice Level Production
                  • THEA 2222 - Intern Level Production

                  • Take the following courses once:
                  • THEA 3333 - Journeyman Level Production
                  • THEA 4444 - Master Level Production
                f. Theatre for young audiences concentration - 65 s.h.

                Admission to the theatre for young audiences concentration is by adjudication; refer to the School of Theatre and Dance website for details.

                  Theatre theory and practice (56 s.h.)
                  • THEA 1020 - Introduction to Acting II
                  • THEA 2006 - The Art of Make-up

                  • THEA 2010 - Acting Studio I
                    • OR
                  • THEA 3050 - Advanced Acting I

                  • THEA 2015 - Introduction to Voice and Speech

                  • THEA 2020 - Acting Studio II
                    • OR
                  • THEA 3060 - Advanced Acting II

                  • THEA 2030 - Drama in Education
                  • THEA 3030 - Theatre for Young Audiences

                  • THEA 3035 - Theatre History-Literature II OR
                  • THEA 3055 - Global History of Music in Theatre

                  • THEA 3042 - Teaching Artistry
                  • THEA 3300 - Playwriting and Dramatic Literature for Young Audiences
                  • THEA 3604 - Theatre for Social Change
                  • THEA 4040 - Directing I
                  • THEA 4064 - Stage Management Lab
                  • THEA 4065 - Stage Management I
                  • THEA 4066 - Theatre Management
                  • THEA 4140 - Internship in Production and Performance in Theatre for Youth I

                  • Choose 12 s.h. from the following:
                  • THEA 2003 - Scene Painting
                  • THEA 2004 - Introduction to Theatrical Properties
                  • THEA 2018 - Stage Combat: Unarmed
                  • THEA 2235 - Global Theatre
                  • THEA 3003 - Stage Lighting I
                  • THEA 3004 - Scenery Design I
                  • THEA 3005 - Scenery Design II
                  • THEA 3007 - Costume Design I
                  • THEA 3010 - Acting Studio III
                  • THEA 3018 - Movement for Actors II: Physical Characterization
                  • THEA 3019 - Stage Combat: Rapier and Dagger
                  • THEA 3020 - Acting Studio IV
                  • THEA 3603 - Selected Topics in Theatre
                  • THEA 3618 - Theatre Study Abroad
                  • THEA 4018 - Stage Combat: Broadsword and Quarterstaff
                  • THEA 4041 - Directing II
                  Dance or movement (6 s.h.)

                  Choose 6 s.h. from the following: 

                  • DNCE 1001 - Fundamentals of Ballet
                  • DNCE 1014 - Tap I
                  • DNCE 1114 - Beginning Ballet I
                  • DNCE 1116 - Beginning Jazz I
                  • DNCE 1124 - Beginning Ballet II
                  • DNCE 1126 - Beginning Jazz II
                  • DNCE 2024 - Tap II
                  • THEA 2017 - Movement for Actors
                  Production practicum (3 s. h.)
                  • THEA 3000 - Theatre Performance
              4. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
                For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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