Theatre Minor
The theatre minor at Shippensburg University enables students to gain a general knowledge of acting and theatre history as well as performance and/or production experience.
What is a theatre minor?
Courses for the theatre minor provide exposure to various types and periods of drama (Opera and Musical Theatre, performance skills (Acting and Scene Study), and production skills (Theatre Practicum and Creating Children’s Theatre).
What are my career options?
The theatre minor at Shippensburg allows students to pursue further training in the theatre while allowing for other career interests. In fact, it can expand your career opportunities. Careers in elementary education, communication, and English are enriched by the training available within a theatre curriculum. Students interested in business, marketing, or management may consider using the theatre minor to enter the field of arts management. The theatre minor can also become a primary or auxiliary area of concentration within the Interdisciplinary Arts degree, a unique program offered by Shippensburg University.
The collaborative nature of theatrical work also provides students with important life skills applicable to all careers. The dynamics of working within a group, the importance of commitment and dedication to a task, and the discipline and rewards of hard work are lessons the theatre teaches in a very practical way.
Shippensburg University graduates have been accepted into graduate theatre programs at C.W. Post on Long Island, Villanova University and Oklahoma State University. Some have gone into successful academic theatre careers at schools like Husson University and the University of South Carolina.
Shippensburg University theatre graduates have found professional employment in troupes such as BLUE MAN GROUP, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Marin Shakespeare Company and the Walnut Street Theatre. Summer theatres such as the Lost Colony in North Carolina, the Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival and Totem Pole Playhouse offer our graduates and current students employment opportunities and practical experience. Former Shippensburg art major and theatre alum Tom Reing, is the founder and Artistic Director of the Philadelphia based theatre company, INIS NUA, a company devoted to producing cutting edge, contemporary Irish, English and Scottish drama. Our theatre students come from majors including English, interdisciplinary arts, communications/journalism, art, education, business and mathematics/computer science.
How should I prepare for a minor in theatre?
Take as many courses in English, literature, history, and speech communication as possible. Art, management, and marketing or advertising classes can benefit you. Experience with drama clubs and theatre productions is extremely helpful.
What about internships?
A 3 credit hour internship is designed to apply classroom/studio training to production and is coordinated through your faculty advisor. Internships may be extended to situations outside the university. Recent internships include Lost Colony in North Carolina and the Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival.
What are the theatre opportunities?
Theatre production on campus is both academic and extracurricular. The Department of Music and Theatre Arts produces the Little Princess Playhouse. The Playhouse is a children’s theatre troupe organized by Dr. Paul Leitner. The Playhouse produces several shows every semester and is an excellent working opportunity for education students interested in theatre for young audiences. Special Topics and Theatre Practicum classes also provide opportunities for students to engage in University theatre production under faculty guidance. Theatre students continue to participate in national collegiate institutions such as the American College Theatre Festival.
Act V and Game-On Improv are two student-run theatre troupes. Open to everyone, students meet to hone their theatre skills. The troupe also conducts workshops and puts on shows to highlight their talent.