Program Overview
Introduction to the Theatre Arts Major
The Theatre Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for individuals interested in a versatile career in theatre arts, theatre creation, or theatre leadership and management. This program aims to develop students' skills to become bold and inventive artist entrepreneurs and collaborators who will shape the future of the theatre industry.
Program Details
- College: Hixson Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts
- Hours Required: 120 credit hours
- Minors Available: Theatre
- Areas of Focus: Theatre Arts, Theatre Creation, Theatre Leadership Management
The Nebraska Difference
The University of NebraskaLincoln offers a unique set of benefits, including:
- Over $1 million in scholarships offered to fine and performing arts students each year
- Workshops with Lied Center performers and crews
- Opportunities to stretch strengths in the student production company, Theatrix
Program Features
Collaborate with the Hixson-Lied Community
Students can take advantage of the vibrant community inside the Hixson-Lied College of Fine & Performing Arts by collaborating on student films and projects in emerging media arts, trying a new role in Theatrix, or stage managing performances for other groups.
Get Connected
The faculty have strong connections across the theatre community, providing students with opportunities to network with leaders in their profession, attend conventions, and meet visiting artists on campus.
Learn by Doing
Through hands-on learning, students start creating from day one, gaining foundational knowledge of storytelling, theatre collaboration, and entrepreneurship with close faculty mentoring.
Notable Courses
- Basic Acting - Scene Study (THEA 114B): Basic skills in scene study, including rehearsal techniques, character analysis, and development and performance.
- Principles of Design for Theatre and Film (THEA 120): Basic elements of design and development of visual and perceptual skills, resulting in an extensive experimental portfolio of 2D and 3D multimedia visual projects.
- Play Direction I (THEA 202): Fundamental concepts of play direction, including selection, script analysis, and interpretation, artistic choices, communication with actors, and critique.
- Stage Management (THEA 300): Survey of management techniques for the theatre, including theoretical and practical application.
- Theatre Management (THEA 301): Theatre management, covering strategic planning, marketing, audience development, grant writing, and company and front-of-the-house management.
- Introduction to Playwriting (THEA 331): Beginning writing for the theatre, starting with the composition of short dramatic scenes and working toward the completion of a one-act play.
Career Opportunities
Internships
- Performer, We Are Nebraska
- Intern, Lied Center
- Student LIEDer, Lied Center
Careers
- Casting, Amazon
- Head of Stage Operations, The Julliard School
- TV Writer, DreamWorks Animation
- Creative Director, Disney Cruise Line
Graduate Schools
- MFA in Stage Management, California Institute of the Arts
- MFA in Stage and Production Management, Carnegie Melon
- MFA in Television and Film Screenwriting, University of California Los Angeles
- MFA in Directing, Columbia University
Featured Faculty
Jamie Bullins, Associate Professor, Costume Design, brings 25 years of experience in designing and teaching, with an M.F.A. in theatrical design/scenography from the University of North Carolina/Greensboro. He has held positions at Auburn University and the University of Florida, working as a scenographer, director, and playwright.