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Our Theater degree is a BA, which means our majors have coursework in all aspects, from performance to tech to design to the business of theater. Students can choose from 3 areas of emphasis in performance, technical theater, or collaborative theater.

We are a family of creative, welcoming, and supportive peers and mentors. Our small class sizes, active production work, and faculty mentorship provide our students with deep and meaningful professional relationships.
Contact the Office of Admissions
Contact the Office of Admissions
Faculty and Staff
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Having worked in theatre for over 15 years, Caitlyn’s experiences range from scenic painting to lighting and costume design. In 2012 Caitlyn attended Cobalt Studios Summer Scene Painting Intensive. She has worked regionally as well as with theatres along the east coast. Most recently Caitlyn’s work could be seen at StageDoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in Loch Sheldrake, NY. Recent design credits include Mean Girls; school edition workshop premiere, Sweet Charity, The Drowsy Chaperone, Legally Blonde, Polaroid Stories and Marisol. 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Chair and Associate Professor of Theatre and Performance
Visiting Assistant Professor of Scenic and Lighting Design
Assistant Professor, Musical Theater
Visiting Assistant Professor of Costume Design
Assistant Professor of Technical Theatre; Technical Director

The Department of Theater & Dance at High Point University proudly offers two comprehensive bachelor of arts degrees that combine rigorous course work and practical production experience – Theater and Dance.

Recognition:

  • Top 30 College Acting and Performing Arts Programs for 2019-2020 by OnStage
  • Top 25 B.A. Theatre Programs for 2018-2019 by OnStage
  • No. 1 “underrated” theatre college in the Mid-Atlantic Region
  • Top 10 BA Theatre Programs for 2016-2017 by OnStage

Students have gone on to present their work at the Kennedy Center/ American College Theatre Festival, the North Carolina Theatre Conference, the Southeastern Theatre Conference, and the American College Dance Association Conference.

We feature an active production program, producing at least 6 productions per year including our big fall musical and two dance concerts! At High Point University, you will learn by doing. We practice the “Company Philosophy” where all of us – faculty and students alike – work as a theater ensemble on each of our productions.

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Course Requirements 2022/2023
Bachelor of Arts in Theater
Bachelor of Arts in Theater
Degree Requirements Credits
Major Requirements 48
University Core Requirements 36-44
Electives 36-44
Total 128
Minor in Theater
Minor in Theater
Minor Requirements Credits
Theater 21
Musical Theater 20
The Department of Theater and Dance offers minors in Theater and Musical Theater. Scroll down to see the requirements for the Minor in Musical Theater.
Requirements for B.A. in Theater
Requirements for B.A. in Theater
Course Course Title Credits
THE 1100 Theater Participation (1 credit for 4 semesters) 4
THE 1200 Fundamentals of Acting 4
THE 1410 Playscript Analysis 4
THE 2010 Fundamentals of Design and Theater Architecture 4
THE 3000 Studies in Theater 4
THE 3800 Directing 4
THE 4510 Theater Arts Administration 2
THE 4520 Developing an Artistic Career & Practice 2
Select one of the following courses:
THE 1710 Lighting and Sound Crafts: Theory and Practice 4
THE 1720 Stagecraft: Theory and Practice 4
THE 1730 Costume Crafts: Theory and Practice 4
THE 1740 Make-up Crafts: Theory and Practice 4
Performance Emphasis (16 credits)
THE 2210 Voice and Dialect 2
THE 2220 Movement for Actors 2
THE 2250 Intermediate Acting 4
Select two: THE 3210, THE 4200, THE 4500 Select two: Studies in Performance (3210), Performance Studio (4200), Shakespeare in Performance (4500) 8
Technical/Design Emphasis (16 credits)
THE 3300 Scenography 4
THE 4800 or a Theater Elective Internship or a Theater Elective 4
Select two from the following, for a total of 8 credits:
THE 1710 Lighting and Sound Crafts: Theory and Practice 4
THE 1720 Stagecraft: Theory and Practice 4
THE 1730 Costume Crafts: Theory and Practice 4
THE 1740 Make-up Crafts: Theory and Practice 4
THE 2710 Theater Applications of CAD and Technology 4
THE 2888/3888/4888 Special Topics 4
Collaborative Theater Emphasis (choose 4 to total 16 credits)
THE 2310 Playwriting 4
THE 3210 Studies in Performance 4
THE 3230 Devised Theater 4
THE 3300 Scenography 4
THE 4200 Performance Studio 4
THE 4500 Shakespeare in Performance 4
THE 4800 or a Theater Elective Internship OR a Theater Elective 4
Course Descriptions
Requirements for Minor in Theater
Requirements for Minor in Theater
Course Course Title Credits
THE 1000 or THE 1410 Foundations of Theater or Playscript Analysis 4
THE 1100 Theater Participation 1 credit for one semester
THE 1200 Fundamentals of Acting 4
Two 2000-level or higher courses within the student's area of emphasis
Select one course from the following list:
THE 1710 Lighting and Sound Crafts: Theory and Practice 4
THE 1720 Stagecraft: Theory and Practice 4
THE 1730 Costume Crafts: Theory and Practice 4
THE 1740 Make-up Crafts 4

Suggested Course Rotation

Please note that this is a suggested course rotation and may change based on when courses are taught. Your faculty advisor will work with you when planning your schedule.

Fall
Spring
Freshman Year

13 credits
Performance
THE 1200 Fundamentals of ActingTHE 1410 Playscript Analysis
THE 1100 Theater ParticipationTHE 1710/1720/1730/1740 Theater Crafts
Technical
THE 1710/1720/1730/1740 Theater Crafts THE 1410 Playscript Analysis
THE 1100 Theater ParticipationTHE 1200 Fundamentals of Acting
Collaborative
THE 1200 Fundamentals of Acting
THE 1710/1720/1730/1740 Theater Crafts
THE 1100 Theater ParticipationTHE 1410 Playscript Analysis
Fall
Spring
Sophomore Year

13 credits
Performance
THE 2010 Fundamentals of DesignTHE 2250 Intermediate Acting
THE 2210/2220 Voice & Dialect/Movement for the ActorTHE 1100 Theater Participation
Technical
THE 2010 Fundamentals of DesignTHE 2710 Theater Applications of CAD or Special Topics
THE 1710/1720/1730/1740 Theater CraftsTHE 1100 Theater Participation
Collaborative
THE 2010 Fundamentals of DesignTHE 3230 Devised Theater or Elective
THE 2310 PlaywritingTHE 1100 Theater Participation
Fall
Spring
Junior Year

13 credits
Performance
THE 3000 Studies in TheaterTHE 3800 Directing
THE 3210 Studies in PerformanceTHE 1100 Theater Participation
Technical
THE 3000 Studies in TheaterTHE 3800 Directing
THE 3300 ScenographyTHE 1100 Theater Participation
Collaborative
THE 3000 Studies in TheaterTHE 3800 Directing
THE 3300/3210 Scenography/Studies in Performance or ElectiveTHE 1100 Theater Participation
Fall
Spring
Senior Year

9 credits
Performance
THE 4200 Performance StudioTHE 4510/4520 Theater Arts Administration/Developing and Artistic Career and Practice
THE 1100 Theater Participation
Technical
Theater Elective or Special TopicsTHE 4510/4520 Theater Arts Administration/Developing and Artistic Career and Practice
THE 1100 Theater Participation
Collaborative
ElectiveTHE 4510/4520 Theater Arts Administration/Developing and Artistic Career and Practice
THE 1100 Theater Participation

Requirements for a Minor in Musical Theater (20 credits)

CourseCourse TitleCredits
DNC 2200 or DNC 2300Jazz Dance or Tap4
Two 1 credit dance studio experiences. Choose from:
DNC 2001Contemporary Dance Studio1
DNC 2101Ballet Dance Studio1
DNC 2201Jazz Dance Studio1
MUS 1200Voice LessonsOne credit per semester for 2 semesters (2 credits total)
MUS 2200Voice LessonsOne credit per semester for 2 semesters (2 credits total)
MUS 1360Musical Theater ScenesOne credit per semester for 2 semesters (2 credits total)
MUS 3540 or MUS 3600Musical Theater Literature or Musical Theater History2
THE 1200Fundamentals of Acting4
THE 2210 or THE 2220Voice & Dialect or Movement for Actors2
Total Credits20
Career Opportunities
We strongly believe that the skills gained through an education in theater are varied and in demand in today’s world. Skills like improvisation, project management, presenting and public speaking, budget management, and communication are all developed through studying theater at High Point University. Because of these kinds of skills, our graduates have gone on to have great success, both in and out of the theatre.

We like to brag (with some strong evidence) that the theatre major is actually more prepared to work in a variety of fields than many other undergraduate majors. The reason for this lies in the skills that are embedded in every experiential opportunity (productions) in which a theatre major participates; they learn, practice, and demonstrate the skills necessary to succeed in any career. For example, making deadlines (“the show must go on”), time management, creative problem solving, collaboration (working well with others), being a “self-starter,” working well with the public, communication skills, and many more marketable skills are gained from participating in close to 20 productions in their four years.
Student Outcomes
Rebecca Korn
Wolf Trap Opera

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

Hailey Turner
Spoleto Festival

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

Ragan Keefer

With another Commencement behind us, High Point University graduates will be commencing prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law,…

Emma Russell

With another Commencement behind us, High Point University graduates will be commencing prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law,…

With another successful Commencement behind us, recent High Point University graduates are kicking off prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems,…

Name: Meredith Matsakis Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina Major: Matsakis will graduate with a degrees in Visual Merchandising Design and a minor in Theatre Performance on May 6. Post-graduation plans: Matsakis will begin her career…

With Commencement just around the corner, High Point University seniors are preparing to commence prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical…

  Beyond the busted windows and dusty floor, Nathan Ruffin saw the potential of his new 5,000 square-foot facility in downtown Winston-Salem, his hometown. It’s there where he’ll grow his…

With a Celtic harp slung over her shoulder and wearing all black, Sarah Thompson stands in the crosswalk beside HPU’s reflection pond and looks toward the curb. “Alright everybody,’’ she…

READ MORE ALUMNI SUCCESS STORIES It’s the stuff of fairytales. Less than two years into her professional career, Lauren Henkel Engler is basking in the limelight at the Chesapeake Shakespeare…

Study Abroad
At High Point University, our emphasis on global perspectives is designed to provide students with opportunities to enhance their international awareness and to develop their cross-cultural communication skills. Study abroad is strongly encouraged as a part of this emphasis on global studies. With a variety of extraordinary options at some of the most prestigious universities in the world, students at High Point University are encouraged to study abroad as early as the summer after their freshman year. Employers are looking for more than just a degree; they want well-rounded individuals who have familiarity with diverse cultures, special skills, and knowledge of the world around them.
Andrulis Midsummer purple
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