The Theatre Program: Acting and Directing

all the world ...

 
photo by Tom Amico

At Muhlenberg, actors and directors have the opportunity to immerse themselves both in their craft and in the world in which they live.

“I feel as though I got the conservatory training that you look for in a theatre department, but without the conservatory. And I got it at a liberal arts school, where I was able to also learn so much more.”

—Phil Haas '05

The Acting and Directing concentrations give students opportunities to practice their craft every day, alongside talented, experienced working professionals. Coursework, in both the classroom and the studio, is complemented by an extensive and acclaimed Mainstage production season, with ample opportunities to put theory into practice.

Coursework for students in the Acting concentration:

  • Foundation courses for theatre majors listed here, including stagecraft, history, dramatic literature, and theory courses
  • A studio course in directing for theatre.
  • Studio training for actors, including
    • Process
    • Scene Study
    • Voice & Speech for the Actor
    • Acting Classical Verse
    • Commedia dell'Arte
    • Experiments in Acting
  • Advanced Acting courses, including:
    • Stage Combat
    • On-Camera Acting
    • Acting the Song

Coursework for students in the Directing concentration:

  • Foundation courses for theatre majors, listed here.
  • Design for the Theatre.
  • Acting Process and Scene Study courses.
  • Directing courses, including:
    • Fundamentals of Directing
    • Process in Production
    • Major Directors: Theory & Practice
    • Advanced Topics in Directing

In addition, Directing concentrators often serve as assistant director or dramaturg for Mainstage productions, and at least one Mainstage show each season offers opportunities for students to direct. Students also direct between 15 and 20 Studio Productions and Third-Tier Productions each year.

Explore!

Want to know more? Just fill out the form!

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If you encounter problems submitting this form, please contact Scott Snyder at scottsnyder@muhlenberg.edu

Photo: Acting class with Troy Dwyer. Photo by Tom Amico.