Department of Theatre Arts

Center for the Arts 3037
Phone: 410-704-2792
Fax: 410-704-3914
Email: theatre@towson.edu

The Department of Theatre Arts

Theatre students at Towson University are empowered to fulfill their potential as thoughtful, enthusiastic, compassionate citizens, through an education in which they:

• explore the world of theatre via a comprehensive study of its diverse forms, perspectives, and artistic disciplines
• engage in collaborative learning with dedicated faculty mentors and fellow student artists, as well as with partners in the profession and the community
• excel as artists and thinkers through rigorous development of skills in their chosen area of specialty and cultivation of their capacities for critical thinking, collaboration, creative problem-solving, and effective communication 

Programs Of The Department 

The study of theatre engages students in an exploration of the world from multiple perspectives, while developing their artistic skills and cultivating their capacities for collaboration, critical-thinking, creative problem-solving, and effective communication.

Courses for majors and minors provide a comprehensive study of the art form and advanced work in areas of artistic specialty. Students also learn theatre by doing theatre and gain practical experience through participation in faculty and guest directed productions, as well as student-generated projects, including performances created by students in our graduate program. Other curricular and extra-curricular activities involve students in the development of new work and engage them in life outside the university through community outreach projects and professional collaborations.

Coursework for the general university population uses the theory and practice of theatre to address the learning objectives of several core categories. Auditions for productions are open to all undergraduate students.

The department offers the following undergraduate degree programs:

• The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting fosters the growth of the whole person through a sequence of courses that develop a solid foundation of acting skills. The program is for students who are seeking rigorous preparation for graduate study or for entry-level opportunities in the acting profession. An audition/interview is required for entry into the acting program.
• The B.A./B.S. in Theatre Arts contains two tracks:
  • The Design and Production track provides a broad foundation in all areas of theatre design and technical production, while preparing the student for graduate study or entry-level professional work in scenic, costume, lighting, or sound design, or technical direction, construction and support. Faculty mentors guide qualified students through design and production projects of increasing responsibility, ­culminating in mainstage designs and leadership production positions for the most advanced students.
  • The Theatre Studies track integrates academic inquiry and performance exploration through a comprehensive study of the art of theatre in relation to multiple communities, from local to global. This program of study is well suited for students with interests in areas of theatre such as directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, theatre administration, and educational outreach, among others.  
• The minor in Theatre Arts allows students to complement another major or career path, or to explore an area of personal interest.

Towson University is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

Career Options for Theatre Arts Majors

Career opportunities in theatre include professional acting; directing; technical production; costume, makeup, lighting, and scenic design; stage management; dramaturgy; playwriting; education and outreach; and theatre administration. Graduates of the Department of Theatre Arts at TU work on stage and behind the scenes in every major theatre center in the country. Recent students have been accepted to respected theatre graduate programs across the nation.

TU’s undergraduate degrees in theatre also provide students with transferrable skills that will lead to success in any profession. Alumni of the department have put their theatre education to use in fields such as law, business and education.

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available for continuing students. These include named scholarships such as the Askew, the Charles S. Dutton, the Gillespie/Loeschke, the John Glover, the Audrey Herman, the Nina Hughes, the Walter F. Kramme, the Christopher Legg, the Steve Yeager and the Peter Wray scholarships.

Graduate Program 

TU's Master of Fine Arts in Theatre is a two-year, cohort program. We only bring in a new class every two years, but we accept applications and respond to inquiries at any time. 

Our MFA cultivates the self-generative artist through an interdisciplinary, process-oriented, collaborative experience. It is for artists who cannot be content working in a single discipline or occupying a single "role" in the creative process. The program is dedicated to educating and invigorating world citizens of theatre who engage deeply in our local and global communities, and wish to combine the life of an artist with the skills and sensibilities of entrepreneurs, educators, and activists.

Our program emphasizes practice and community.  Over the 24-month program students are constantly creating work which grows out of class exploration. Sometimes these are ensemble projects, but even on individual or solo projects, students work together to support each other.  Learning and cultural exchange happens between students as fully as it does between students and faculty or guest artists. For more information, see the TU ­Graduate Catalog, call 410-704-2791 or visit our webpage.

• B.F.A. in Acting
• Major in Theatre Arts

• Minor in Theatre Arts

Faculty

Professors: Tom Cascella, Daniel Ettinger, Jay Herzog, Stephen Nunns, Susan Picinich, Julie Potter (Chairperson), Robyn Quick, Steve Satta (Graduate Program Director), David White, Peter Wray

Associate Professor: Tavia La Follette

Assistant Professors: Christopher Carcione, Ruben Del Valle, Danielle Drakes, Teresa Spencer