College of the Arts
School of Theatre and Dance - Theatre Division
www.kent.edu/theatredance

About This Program

The Theatre Studies program offers a well-rounded theatre education, including a broad range of topics, from theatre history to dramatic literature. Access experienced faculty, real-world opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities. Enroll now and take the first step toward a fulfilling career in theatre. Read more...

Contact Information

• Paul Hurley | phurley1@kent.edu
• Speak with an Advisor
  • Kent Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor: Kent Campus | Regional Campuses

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus
  • Trumbull Campus (Theatre and Society concentration only)

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Accreditation

The B.A. degree in Theatre Studies is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Course is repeatable for credit.

²

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Performance Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Students on academic probation may not participate in School of Theatre and Dance productions.
• Students may be dropped from the program for failure to maintain a 2.500 GPA.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Articulate procedures and approaches to differentiate various theatrical styles and techniques.
2. Examine playwriting and production processes and the artistic and cultural forces that shape them.
3. Develop and apply intermediate to advanced skills in one or more theatre specializations in creation, performance or scholarship.
4. Recognize and evaluate a diverse selection of theatre repertory. 
5. Describe the basic process involved in mounting a theatre production.
6. Synthesize research, performance and/or production.

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Studies gives students an opportunity for study in all aspects of theatre and its relationship to other liberal arts studies. This program serves students who seek a wider range of possibilities to fulfill individual creative goals, whether as theatre artists, scholars, educators and/or contributors in related fields. Students receive thorough grounding in theatre history and theory and learn imaginative and critical thinking, the process of making theatre and leadership skills.

The Theatre Studies major comprises the following concentrations:

• Performance
• Production
• Theatre Management
• Theatre and Society