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.
People
Related Programs
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.
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.
Why Appalachian?
- Appalachian has no graduate program in theatre, so students learn alongside their peers, competing on an even playing field in programs designed for undergraduates.
- There are ample opportunities to perform and hone your craft through faculty-directed productions, First Year Showcase, and studio productions produced by student clubs.
- Formal juries at the end of each academic year provide the opportunity to demonstrate progress and receive feedback and advice from the performance faculty.
- The Program’s Audition Training Workshops helps students get a foot in the door to professional work. Performance faculty coach student auditions and facilitate connections with professional theatres in the state and region.
- Performance classes have 12-16 students, and faculty actively mentor students.
Location
Boone campus only
Careers
Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor’s degree.
- Actor
- Artist
- College Teacher
- Creative Director
- Director
- Director, Arts Council
- Director, Nonprofit Arts Organization
- Playwright
- Producer
- Set designer
- Stage Manager
- Talent Scout
- Theater Camp Director
- Theater Teacher
View more career possibilities
Contacts
Derek Gagnier
Associate Professor of Theatre
Coordinator of BA Performance
gagnierdp@appstate.edu
828-262-6854