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Appalachian State University

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Theatre Arts (BA) – Theatre Performance

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.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Student Profile: Roy Dale Cox
    Student Profile: Roy Dale Cox

    Senior Roy Dale Cox wants to perform on Broadway. He says opportunities in the Department of Theatre and Dance are helping him get there.

  • Faculty Profile: Derek Gagnier

    This associate professor has worked professionally as an actor and director since 1983 in musical theatre, Shakespeare, dinner theatre, television and film.

    Meet more faculty

  • Theatre Alumni Profiles
    Theatre Alumni Profiles

    Theatre alumni hone their craft, from New York City to Los Angeles. Meet four of them.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide

    Click on the pdf for your major

  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • Theatre Arts (BA) - Theatre Education
  • Theatre Arts (BA) - General Theatre
  • Dance Studies (BA)
  • Theatre Arts (BA) - Theatre Design/Technology

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.

View all minors

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.

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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

  • Department of Theatre and Dance

    The Department of Theatre and Dance is one of seven departments housed in Appalachian’s College of Fine and Applied Arts. Its mission is to facilitate transformative experiences for students and the public, which cultivate compassionate, creative and collaborative communities through theatre and dance. The department also offers coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Its dynamic cocurricular production program provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community and the region. Learn more at https://theatreanddance.appstate.edu.

  • College of Fine and Applied Arts

    Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of academic departments including Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.

    The College of Fine and Applied Arts is characterized by the educational approach of integrating theory and practice, offering students the knowledge and experience for continued education or employment. Programs within the College feature opportunities for hands-on experiential learning, international experiences and interdisciplinary engagement. The College emphasizes undergraduate teaching, while being active in grants and sponsored research. The College of Fine and Applied Arts provides a vibrant educational atmosphere, fostering the very best in teaching and learning.

    We offer:

    • BS, BA, and BFA degrees in 30 academic concentrations or specializations
    • MS degrees in 4 concentrations
    • Army ROTC program

    Community Service:

    Our students and faculty find unique ways to bring community service into the learning experience through experiences such as campus and community workshops, after-school programs for area school children, and work with local non-profits.

    Industry and Community Involvement:

    All departments are highly involved with their industry counterparts and seek opportunities to work with community partners. In addition, each department has an advisory board of industry professionals that assist in program development, internships, job placement and fundraising.

    International Education:

    The College of Fine and Applied Arts wants all students to have the opportunity for international learning experiences and has offered programs in:

    • Austria
    • China
    • Costa Rica
    • Cuba
    • Dominican Republic
    • England
    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • Mexico
    • New Zealand
    • Nicaragua
    • Panama
    • Poland
    • Rwanda
    • South Africa
    • Taiwan

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