Skip to main content
GVSU Theatre students.

Theatre

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (B.A., B.S.)

Undergraduate Major

Allendale • Face to face (?) • 120 Credits

Theatre at GVSU provides education in performance, production, and theater history, preparing students for diverse careers onstage and off.

Overview

The program offers a flexible, practical education in the theatrical arts and prepares students for careers in the entertainment industry and for careers that require skills in creativity, collaboration, communications, and problem-solving. Students gain a deep understanding of the artistic, technical, and managerial components of theatre, ensuring they are well-equipped to contribute to the field in various capacities.

Courses cover essential topics, including acting, directing, stagecraft, costume design, and theatre history. These courses are taught by experienced faculty who bring real-world insights and professional expertise into the classroom. Additionally, you are encouraged to participate in university theatre productions, internships, and workshops, providing valuable practical experience and the chance to apply your skills in real-world settings.

The theatre program’s strong emphasis on experiential learning and extensive curriculum ensures that you are prepared to succeed in the competitive field of theatre. A collaborative and engaging educational environment helps aspiring theatre professionals develop their talents and achieve their career goals.

Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance

gvsu.edu/mtd
1300 Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts
(616) 331-3484

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

Career Opportunities

Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

Top skills
  • Active Learning
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 4,023.74 10%
$ 8,196.14 25%
$ 16,906.55 50%
$ 34,349.15 75%
$ 69,535.29 90%

Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Coordination
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 20,267.02 10%
$ 27,061.30 25%
$ 45,221.93 50%
$ 76,423.57 75%
$107,031.51 90%

Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 13,989.27 10%
$ 29,553.53 25%
$ 60,714.04 50%
$131,918.58 75%
$271,503.91 90%

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 15,956.07 10%
$ 26,185.95 25%
$ 43,349.12 50%
$ 81,719.95 75%
$212,051.20 90%

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Instructing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Learning
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 46,406.69 10%
$ 60,100.88 25%
$ 85,823.68 50%
$123,123.26 75%
$166,433.09 90%

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 31,463.39 10%
$ 41,948.54 25%
$ 60,813.38 50%
$ 94,872.77 75%
$150,787.45 90%

Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

Top skills
  • Active Learning
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 5,898.08 10%
$ 12,576.50 25%
$ 25,598.00 50%
$ 48,020.88 75%
$ 96,223.58 90%

Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Coordination
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 23,584.58 10%
$ 30,518.25 25%
$ 48,035.45 50%
$ 81,798.01 75%
$123,656.26 90%

Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 17,657.66 10%
$ 31,303.98 25%
$ 62,031.70 50%
$144,240.51 75%
$248,402.31 90%

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 23,806.61 10%
$ 33,615.23 25%
$ 51,225.86 50%
$100,136.74 75%
$257,968.78 90%

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Instructing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Learning
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 46,446.25 10%
$ 60,565.21 25%
$ 83,891.16 50%
$121,619.93 75%
$178,853.17 90%

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 37,201.89 10%
$ 52,415.83 25%
$ 79,030.14 50%
$123,485.46 75%
$188,509.19 90%
4,963
Students Participated in Experiential Learning
117K
GVSU Alumni in Michigan
"One of the Best Value Colleges in Michigan"
By Direct Parent

Student Organizations

Getting involved and staying engaged with our vibrant campus community help you make the most of your Grand Valley experience. Attending student life events, joining a student organization, or participating in campus recreation opportunities are all fantastic ways to maximize your college years:

State-of-the-Art Black Box Theatre

The state-of-the-art Black Box Theatre in the Haas Performing Arts Center provides students with an enhanced production experience.

Explore the Black Box Theatre Virtually

Scholarships

Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU.

Grand Valley offers myScholarships (a scholarship matching tool) to help admitted students match with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities. myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you to scholarships for which you might qualify.

Request Information

Loading...


Page last modified May 20, 2025