Theater Arts

The Theater Arts degree allows students to examine and experience the relationship between drama as literary artifact and drama as performance.

Students gain knowledge and skills in the craft of presenting plays with particular emphasis on interpretation of drama and its place within culture. In addition to the intellectual abilities developed as in all liberal arts programs, students also have the opportunity to work with the technical side of dramatic presentation.

Career Fields

Performance

Acting in live theatre
TV and film performance
TV and radio commercials

Voice-over artist
Dancer
Vocalist

Strategies: Gain experience performing in a variety of venues and types of productions, including Duquesne theatre groups such as the Red Masquers and/or Medieval and Renaissance Players; gain experience in auditioning; be prepared for irregular work and to move to follow opportunities; prepare your portfolio of photos, acting history, reviews, special skills and qualifications; consider as many employment sources as possible: live theatre such as Broadway and off-Broadway, regional and summer stock theatre, radio, TV, film and commercials.

Behind the Scenes

Director
Stage manager
Script writer
Set Designer

Choreographer
Hairstylist and makeup artist
Costume designer
Wardrobe supervisor

Strategies: Become active in college and student productions; intern with theatre groups; gain experience behind the scenes in a variety of venues and types of productions; intern and/or work in regional, summer stock, dinner, children’s theatre, community and church productions; be prepared for irregular work and to move to follow opportunities; consider as many employment sources as possible including from live theatre such as Broadway and off-Broadway, regional and summer stock theatre, radio, TV, film and commercials.

Technical Fields

Lighting technologist
Technical director
Film and video editor

Sound designer
Special effects specialist
Sound technician

Strategies: Build skills and experience in the technical requirements of the field of interest; become active in college and student productions; intern with theatre groups; team up with IATSE Local 3, the theater union; gain experience behind the scenes in a variety of venues and types of productions; intern and/or work in regional, summer stock, dinner, children’s theatre; be prepared for irregular work and to move to follow opportunities; consider as many employment sources as possible including from live theatre such as Broadway and off-Broadway, regional and summer stock theatre, radio, TV, film and commercials.

Business of Theater

Producer
Casting director
Drama critic
Theatrical agent
Theatre manager

Company manager
Box office manager
Marketing director
Publicist

Strategies: Consider a Business Certificate and/or minor in Communication or PR/Advertising; intern in specialties of interest; work part-time in the business side of local arts and theatre organizations; volunteer with local theatre companies, community arts and church groups; consider the business side of various arts organizations such as ballet, opera, symphony as well as popular music concert production; participate in workshops and seminars; join and take leadership in student theatre groups such as Duquesne’s Red Masquers; write reviews and publicity for various media, including print and web.

Teaching

English/drama teacher in middle or high school
Post-secondary teaching theatre arts in a college, university or community college
Drama coach
Voice teacher

Strategies: Double major in English; gain state of Pennsylvania certification to teach in public schools either concurrently with bachelor’s degree in Education or through post-graduate programs; be prepared to relocate to states where demographics increase the demand for teachers; plan to earn advanced degree (MFA or Ph.D.) for college teaching.