Overview
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre, SUNY Oneonta’s theatre program blends classroom and experiential learning to provide an ideal foundation for a wide range of careers and further education.
Department
Program Type
Area of Study
Delivery Mode
Special Talent Application
No audition is required for acceptance into the theatre program. However, if you'd like to have your talent considered during the admissions process, you may submit a special talent application as a supplement to your regular application.
What You’ll Learn
The program begins with a focus on the basic skills and vocabulary needed to understand how all the aspects of theatre work together. As you progress, you'll specialize in one or more areas of interest by taking advantage of opportunities to act, direct, design and stage-manage in an environment modeled on professional practices. A minor in dance is also available.
Career Opportunities
With a broad foundation in Theatre and the chance to experience all aspects of a production, you’ll be prepared for a variety of careers! Here’s a sampling of alumni careers.
Requirements
See the list of required courses and a sample plan of study for your next four years.
Why Oneonta?
- Liberal Arts Focus: Theatre artists benefit greatly from a well-rounded education, and SUNY Oneonta's focus on the liberal arts will give you plenty of time to explore other areas in the humanities and sciences while studying theatre.
Learning Environment: The Theatre Department emphasizes collaboration and respect, both among students and between students and faculty. It is important that students have opportunities to apply their learning, express their ideas and practice their crafts in a safe, supportive environment. - Opportunities: The number of majors relative to available production roles means there are many opportunities for students to perform, design and grow as artists.
- Faculty Availability: Low student-faculty ratios allow students many occasions to interact with their professors in class. Outside of class, professors hold regular office hours and are often available for private meetings or spontaneous advice and conversation. Students also work closely with the faculty and staff within the production environment; through meetings, rehearsals, shop hours, work calls, performances and strikes.
Hands-On Learning
Some of your most valuable, memorable, real-world experience will be on the stage or behind the scenes of a production. The department and student theatre club, Mask and Hammer, put on several productions each year, including two student-directed shows. You can also pursue other opportunities, including an independent study, receive academic credit for serving as a teaching assistant, or get a campus job working in the scenery or costume shop.
Facilities
Facilities include the Goodrich Theatre, a 487-seat proscenium space, and the Hamblin Theatre, a flexible, black-box facility.
Internships
Students are encouraged to pursue internship opportunities in order to gain valuable experience in professional theatre, and both the department and Career Networking Center help students find internships that match their interests. Internships with professional theatre and production companies can provide a preview of experiences that lie beyond graduation, or a foothold for graduates beginning careers in the field.
Get Involved
Make friends who share your interests by joining a student club! The Mask and Hammer Theatre Club is an outlet for theatrical creativity and growth via play production, musicals and experimental theater projects. The Terpsichorean Dance Company, commonly known as “Terps,” is a student-run dance company that puts on two big shows each year and sponsors visiting professional dance instructors and/or performers for campus workshops.
Meet our Students and Faculty
Hear from current students and faculty and get a glimpse of what’s it like to be a Theatre major at Oneonta!
Meet Jessy Gardner
After performing in her first show at SUNY Oneonta, Jessy Gardner changed her major to Theatre to pursue her passion for storytelling.
Inside Fine Arts
Take a quick tour of the Fine Arts Center, home to the Music, Art and Theatre departments and facilities.
Contact Admissions
108 Ravine Parkway
Oneonta, NY 13820
United States