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Theatre Arts

Theatre Arts

Follow your passion for theatre while expanding how you see and think about the world. The theatre arts major helps you build essential theatre skills, sharpen your critical thinking, and grow as both an artist and a creative problem-solver. Through hands-on experiences and a well-rounded curriculum, you’ll develop the awareness and versatility needed to bring your artistic vision to life—on stage and beyond.

Experiential Learning

  • Workshops with acclaimed professional companies like the Tectonic Theatre Project and celebrated contemporary playwrights like Kate Hamill.
  • Producing your own work with dynamic student organizations like BBQ Kitten Improv Troupe, Ministry of Experimental Theatre (MET) and Bradley’s student chapter of the U.S. Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT).
  • Excursion courses to London theatre and Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas.
  • Internships in theatre production and administration at theatres like Chicago Shakespeare, Lookingglass Theatre Company, and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.

Program Details

Course Requirements

Degree Concentrations

Take your career any way you want! Explore the different degree concentrations that we offer for you to personalize your professional future.

The Theatre Arts Production concentration gives you hands-on experience in design, production, and technology from your very first semester. You’ll take courses in stagecraft, scenic painting, lighting, costumes, sound design, and more to build a strong foundation in theatre production.

Plus, you’ll have incredible opportunities to present your work at the USITT annual conference and even join Bradley’s Las Vegas Excursion, where you’ll work alongside Cirque du Soleil artists and technicians for a one-of-a-kind backstage experience. Whether you dream of becoming a stage manager, technical director, or scenic artist, this program helps you turn your passion into a career.

See full course requirements and concentration details

The Theatre Arts Performance concentration gives you the intensive training and hands-on experience to bring your acting career to life. You’ll build a strong foundation with advanced courses in acting technique, voice, movement, and audition prep, while electives like stage combat, dialects, and acting for the camera expand your range.

From mainstage productions to student-led shows, you’ll gain performance experience from day one. Plus, with personalized mentorship and annual reviews, you’ll receive the guidance you need to grow as an artist. An audition is required for admission, but once you’re in, you’ll have the skills and confidence to take center stage.

See full course requirements and concentration details

Career Opportunities

A theatre arts major is a gateway to careers in commercial and non-profit theatre, as well as film, television, and new media. Recent Bradley theatre grads are active in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, St. Louis, Phoenix and throughout the U.S. as performers, technicians, stage managers, designers, educators, authors, filmmakers, talent agents and master craftspeople. 

Minors

Get involved in theatre, even if you’ve chosen another academic path! This minor will keep you engaged in all department productions as an actor, technician, crew member, or any number of other roles.

In addition, you will work closely with a theatre advisor. The minor is often paired with majors in communication, television arts, engineering, education, psychology, and other humanities programs.

See full course requirements and minor details

This minor includes courses in acting, piano, music theory, and ear training/sight singing. You’ll be involved in theatre arts productions through our practicum program, and you’ll work closely with a theatre arts advisor, to keep you on track.

This minor pairs well with majors in music, theatre arts, communication, TV arts, creative writing, and other majors within the fine arts or the liberal arts and sciences.

See full course requirements and minor details

Student and alumni stories

Stories from the Theatre Arts Department

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