Theatre Arts Degree

UND’s B.A. program is designed for students who are passionate about performing arts and design. Our program integrates classroom study with practical training in the newly renovated Starcher Hall and provides the flexibility to craft a degree plan to cater to your professional goals. From lighting design to acting, you’ll explore every aspect of theatre production and prepare for a career on or behind the stage. Students with Theatre B.A.s also go on to careers in social media, marketing, education, events coordination and so much more!

As a B.A. student, you'll choose a curriculum track from:

Acting

• The Acting track gives you the training, mentorship and performance experience to pursue a professional life in theatre and beyond. Grounded in foundational technique including movement, voice and character development, you'll build a versatile skill set that is valuable in any career field.
• As an Acting student, you'll have the opportunity to perform in UND productions as early as your first year, working alongside accomplished faculty in the newly renovated Starcher Hall or Burtness Theatre. You can specialize further with concentrations in Directing or Dance tailoring your degree to your artistic goals. Whether you're aiming for the stage or a career where performance gives you an edge in corporate training, arts administration, or education, this track prepares you to command any room.

Design and Tech

• The Design/Tech track prepares you to be a skilled, creative professional who shapes the visual and technical elements of live performance. From scenic and lighting design to sound, costumes, and technical direction, you'll gain hands-on experience in every area of theatrical production, working on real productions in Starcher Hall and Burtness Theatre from day one. Concentrations in Set Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design and Technical Direction let you go deep in your area of passion. Graduates go on to careers in professional theatre, touring productions, event design, experiential marketing and more, anywhere that demands people who can bring a creative vision to life.
• Beyond the classroom, you'll have plenty of opportunities to participate in UND productions, onstage and offstage, under our accomplished faculty mentorship. You'll also have the chance to hone your expertise by collaborating with classmates creating new work in student-led projects. In addition to your theatrical studies, your skills in analysis and communication will be further developed through core liberal arts courses.

Theatre Communication

• The Theatre Communication track combines the study of performance, storytelling and human connection with the practical communication skills sought across a wide range of careers. Students develop expertise in communication strategy, persuasive messaging, collaboration and creative problem-solving — all through the lens of theatre arts.
• This emphasis is ideal for students who love theatre but are also drawn to careers beyond the stage. Graduates are well-prepared for fields such as arts administration, theatrical marketing, content creation, social media management for arts and other organizations, and strategic communication consulting — anywhere that clear, compelling communication makes a difference.
• Students in this track are eligible to apply for the Accelerated Masters Degree in Communication (see below).

Accelerated Communications Degree

Interested in earning a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years? Consider the Communication (Accelerated B.A./M.A.) degree program, which focuses on material from both the Theatre Arts with a Theatre Communication Subplan (B.A.) program and the M.A. in Communication degree. A graduate degree is sometimes required for advancement to higher-level positions. 

Accredidation 

This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).