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Study Theatre

Tell stories that resonate with audiences long after the final curtain. Take your place in the spotlight or set the stage behind the scenes in our theatre program.

Program Snapshot

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Major

124

4 Years

Salem Campus

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Our Theatre Major & Minor

Bring characters to life. Learn how to build sets that give audiences a sense of time and place. Explore all aspects of theatre including acting, directing, stagecraft, costume design, lighting, and dramatic literature with our theatre degree program. Choose your area of focus from our concentrations in acting, tech & design, stage management, performance studies, or directing. 

Why choose Theatre at Willamette?

  • A wide range of performance opportunities. Every year, we put on multiple productions, from musical theatre to classic plays. Explore your passions and showcase your skills on stage with one of the best Theatre Departments in Oregon.
  • Gain hands-on experience. The program supports student-led productions, giving theatre students the opportunity to work in a professional role. Consider joining Theatre 33 or a student group like the Student Theatre Arts Group for Equity.
  • Learn in a collaborative environment. Build rapport in rehearsals and performances and learn how theatre artists must rely on one another. Gain the skills you need for careers on Broadway and in film and television.

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Alumni Stories

Our graduates are making a name for themselves in the performing arts. Many are pursuing their passion for theatre on the stage and screen. Others have continued their studies at top universities such as Brown, Columbia, Yale, and NYU. Learn how our alumni are impacting entertainment and art.

  • Jihan Haddad ’16

    Jihan Haddad ’16 transitions from Willamette University to the East Coast Stage.
    Theatre major Jihan Haddad ’16 transitions seamlessly from role to role across various East Coast venues, crediting Willamette Theatre mentors for shaping her journey and fostering a strong community.

    Portrait of a young woman with long, dark hair, looking directly at the camera against a bluish-gray background.
  • Woman in a white shirt gesturing with another person in the background in a studio setting.

    Shana Cooper ’99

    Willamette Theatre plays enduring role in alumna's life.
    Shana Cooper ’99, a Yale-trained director reviewed by The New York Times, attributes her career success to the professional-level theater education she received at Willamette University, which led her to teaching and directing opportunities at Northwestern University.

Curriculum

Study the great playwrights and learn the basics of stage management. Through workshops and hands-on learning, you will gain the skills and expertise needed to pursue a career in theatre. Learn about theatre history, develop your acting skills, and gain a working knowledge of the technical aspects of theatre production.

  • THTR 340 Acting Studio I

    Engage in advanced actor training and explore the realistic acting process in depth through play, character analysis, and ensemble work. Study the works of Shaw, Ibsen, Chekhov, Miller, Williams, and contemporary playwrights.

  • THTR 379 Directing I

    Explore fundamental historical, theoretical, and practical aspects of play direction. Analyze director approaches, scripts, and conditions of presentation in various performance circumstances. Consider the practical application of script analysis and rehearsal techniques.

Program Requirements

Our Theatre major requires 40-46 semester hours to complete the degree depending on the selected emphasis. The core courses require 16 semester hours, and the selected emphasis will provide the other 24-30 semester hours.

Students pursuing a Theatre minor will need to complete 20 semester hours in designated theatre courses.

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Admissions Information

Our Theatre program is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette University is committed to supporting Theatre majors with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. There is no separate application required for these scholarships. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, starting at $26,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.

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FAQs

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Theatre