The major in theatre prepares students for careers that require skills in communications, creativity, and problem-solving, or for careers in the entertainment industry. It provides professional orientation and background within a broad liberal arts framework. Students may use the major as a preparation for graduate or professional work; the required courses provide basic training in essential theatre areas, and students planning to pursue more advanced work should take well-chosen electives in areas designed to increase specific skills.

All majors are required to participate in productions; academic credit is given for all such involvement. Also, students may pursue internships with professional theatres, locally, regionally or nationally, as managers, publicists, technicians, and production assistants.

Versatility in a number of areas is the single most important factor in obtaining work. Grand Valley theatre students have successfully completed programs in graduate schools and professional conservatories. They have found work in schools and recreation departments, repertory theatre companies, modern dance companies, and arts organizations as performers, technicians, teachers, designers, directors, and administrators. The combination of critical and problem-solving communications skills with the self-confidence and responsibility coming from performance experience provides excellent training for many non-entertainment fields. A complete list of placement and careers of recent theatre graduates is available upon request.

Why Study Theatre at GVSU?

For more information, please click the following to read more:

• Click here for NEW academic information on our Theatre major programs. Additional Theatre major programs information here.
• Click here for NEW academic information on our Theatre minor programs. Additional Theatre minor programs information here.
• Scholarships
• Types of awards and scholarships
• PS (Performance Studio) Series Information: Directors, Designers, Stage Managers,
• Shakespeare scholarships
• Types of Financial Aid
• General GVSU Financial Aid
• Production Biography Form

This is a short list of organizations Theatre students can participate. These are student run and organized so check out their information:
S.T.A.G.E. please click the organization's name and see their information.

ALPHA PSI OMEGA click on organization to link to their organization, a National Honorary Theatre Society. For more information on APO, contact President Seth Burton at burtonse@mail.gvsu.edu

Make an investment in yourself that will last a lifetime!

Current students, please be certain to check the available scholarship, directing, designing, advising, work/study, and many other opportunities.

Check our informational tabs and follow the links to the information. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, please feel to call 616-331-8176. We want to make it as efficient as possible for you to complete your degree and maintain your graduation schedule.

The program is flexible with a strong core of theatre requirements and multiple elective offerings to allow students to pursue their own particular interests. Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

GVSU Theatre students study a variety of topics, including:

• Communication
• Costume construction
• Directing
• History of theatre
• Improvisation
• Play analysis
• Stagecraft
• Theatre production

Versatility is the single most important factor in obtaining work as a graduate of the drama program. Grand Valley theatre students have successfully completed programs in graduate schools and professional conservatories. They have found work in schools and recreation departments, repertory theatre companies, modern dance companies, and arts organizations as:

• Administrators
• Designers
• Writers
• Directors
• Performers
• Teachers
• Technicians