About

Appalachian State University’s Theatre Arts (BA) – Theatre Performance degree is dedicated to developing well-rounded theatre artists ready to take the next step in their acting careers. Our program offers training and techniques balanced with current acting theory. In this program, you will explore theatre within a holistic context of the liberal arts, which equips you with the global awareness and critical thinking skills necessary to be a versatile and well-informed theatre artist.  

Students have many opportunities to perform in the Department of Theatre and Dance, as well as student club productions and outside professional work. The curriculum is practical and real-world based, and our students graduate with the skills necessary to land acting jobs and to excel in professional situations.

Students are encouraged to have a professional summer theatre experience before they graduate. This may include internships or acting work – and most students act professionally before they graduate.

After Graduation

Employment: Graduates have gone on to work in professional theatre, film and television — with recurring roles on TV series — and in television commercials, voice-overs and audio book narration. Theatres that have hired Appalachian graduates include:

• Appalachian Creative Theatre in Charlotte
• Blowing Rock Stage Company
• Burning Coal Theatre
• Disney Land Ensemble Stage
• Flat Rock Theatre
• Historic Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre
• Horn in the West
• Temple Theatre
• Tweetsie Railroad
• Walt Disney World

Graduate School: Graduates have continued their training in acting and earned Master of Fine Arts degrees at a number of prestigious institutions including Florida State/Asolo Theatre, The Actors Studio at Pace University, University of Florida, UNC-Greensboro, New York Film Academy (New York and Los Angeles), Long Island University, Perdue University, University of Kansas City – Missouri and University of Central Florida.

Career Exploration website

People

• 

  Student Profile: Roy Dale Cox

  Senior Roy Dale Cox wants to perform on Broadway. He says opportunities in the Department of Theatre and Dance are helping him get there.

• Faculty Profile: Derek Gagnier

  This associate professor has worked professionally as an actor and director since 1983 in musical theatre, Shakespeare, dinner theatre, television and film.

  Meet more faculty

• 

  Theatre Alumni Profiles

  Theatre alumni hone their craft, from New York City to Los Angeles. Meet four of them.

Related Programs

• Theatre Arts (BA) - Theatre Education
• Theatre Arts (BA) - General Theatre
• Dance Studies (BA)
• Theatre Arts (BA) - Theatre Design/Technology

Minors

A minor is required to complete this major. Popular minors include: Dance, Music, Psychology, Film Studies, Creative Writing, English, Biology, Business and Foreign Language.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

• A variety of clubs in the department include technical theatre, musical theatre, and dance. These clubs are active in producing works and performances.
• An active theatre production season each year features student actors, designers, technicians, and more.
• Appalachian Young People’s Theatre (AYPT) performs for young people and in 2012 celebrated 40 years of touring shows to schools and other venues in North Carolina. 

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

The Department of Theatre and Dance offers three study abroad programs:

• Theatre in Europe Past and Present
• Rhythm and Revolution: Exploring Music and Dance in Cuba
• Dance Studies in Europe

Admission Requirements

To declare the Theatre Performance major, you must be a sophomore and complete an audition and interview with the performance faculty. Auditions are held at the end of each Fall and Spring semester and consist of two, one-minute contrasting monologues.