BA in Theatre
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania — Bloomsburg, PA
About this program
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania's BA in Theatre is based at the Bloomsburg campus and operates through the BU Players, the producing arm of the program and one of the university's oldest student organizations. The program produces theatrical content from the very first semester: all theatre majors are enrolled in Theatre Practicum every semester, ensuring continuous participation in the department's season in some capacity. The program offers two concentrations: Performance (in-depth skills in acting and directing) and Design/Technology (scenic, costume, sound, and lighting design). No audition is required for admission. Productions are staged at the Alvina Krause Theatre (226 Center Street, downtown Bloomsburg), named for the legendary acting teacher and alumna of Bloomsburg University. The theatre is located in the heart of downtown Bloomsburg, connecting the university to the arts community of the Susquehanna Valley. The BU Players maintains a co-production relationship with the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (BTE), a professional regional theatre company, giving students the opportunity to work alongside professional artists on fully produced collaborations. Faculty include Prof. David A. Miller (Artistic Director, Plays in Bloom; director of mainstage productions), Dr. Carrie Winship (Associate Artistic Director, Plays in Bloom; dramaturg; Associate Professor of Theatre; Ph.D. University of Missouri-Columbia), and Prof. Ethan Krupp, MFA (Director of Theatre; Producer, Plays in Bloom). The dance component of the department is led by Prof. Julie Petry (Artistic Director, Annual Dance Minor Concert). Plays in Bloom is a new play development program that partners students with professional guest playwrights, directors, and dramaturgs for weeklong residencies, culminating in public staged readings. Guest artists have included playwrights whose work has been developed by the Actors Theatre of Louisville, National New Play Network, Lark Play Development Center, and many other prominent new play organizations. Students also regularly propose and lead independent projects including site-specific performances and fully staged smaller-scale productions. CU-Bloomsburg participates annually in the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) Region 2 competition. At a recent Region 2 ACTF Festival, three CU-Bloomsburg students earned national recognition: Frankie Webb was named an ACTF National Stage Management Fellow for Ride the Cyclone; Theo Lemons earned the Award for Theatrical Design Excellence in Lighting; Tom Halko was named an ACTF Theatre Journalism and Advocacy Fellow; and Rebekah Vermuelen was selected as the MTI Musical Theatre Intensive Nomination from CU-Bloomsburg for her performance as Jane Doe in Ride the Cyclone, and performed at the Closing Ceremony of the Festival.
Audition & application overview
- Requires a dance audition
Not Required
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