Theatre – Bachelor’s Degree Program (BA)

Earn your degree in theatre in one of the first accredited theatre programs in the nation. Balancing high‐quality productions with challenging and exciting coursework, our bachelor’s in theatre offers numerous opportunities for you to work both in front of and behind the scenes from the day you arrive until you graduate.

Our program is big yet small, offering the best of both. As one of the largest accredited theatre program in the Northwest, we provide every possible opportunity you could hope for in a theatre major, from large-scale productions in spacious and well‐equipped studios and performance venues to award‐winning faculty from diverse specialization areas. At the same time, you’ll enjoy small classes, an intimate experience and plenty of individualized training.

Depending on your interests and professional goals, you can specialize your theatre degree in musical theatre, design and technology, choreography and performance, or teaching.

What can you do with a theatre degree?

Majoring in theatre can open a variety of career pathways, not only in performance but also behind the scenes and in education. Graduates of UM’s bachelor’s degree in theatre perform on Broadway and with major regional theatres, work on TV shows and teach in theatre programs across the nation. Our graduates are working successfully not only in the arts, but also in development, customer service, education and arts management.

Why employers choose UM theatre degree graduates

With numerous opportunities to perform on stage, work behind the scenes and gain design experience, our theatre majors graduate with strong portfolios of realized work. They are known for their dedication, creativity and problem‐solving skills, and for being collaborative workers with a strong sense of empathy.

Theatre jobs

Many of our graduates have found success in their work as teachers, technicians, designers and performers. Examples of potential careers with a theatre arts degree include:

• Actor
• Director
• Producer
• Lighting technician
• Stage manager
• Set designer
• Teacher
• Choreographer

Theatre salary

Students tend to major in theatre for their love of the arts more than money. But you can earn a good living in the professional world of theatre. Here are examples of salary averages for several popular theatre jobs:

• Theatre lighting technician: $38,635
• Producers and directors: $74,420
• Art directors: $94,220

Lily Gladstone, a graduate of our theatre program, was recently cast in Martin Scorsese’s next film, “Killers of the Flower Moon” alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Bobby Guiterrez was seen in a recurring role in the series, “Perry Mason,” while David Errigo is active in his voiceover work, recently providing the voice of Ferb in the animated show “Candace Saves the Universe.”

Experiential learning in the theatre degree program

Our students have outstanding opportunities to perform, create and develop hands‐on work starting early in their college career, building meaningful experiences that prepare them for jobs. From voiceover work to learning to build costumes, scenery and props to studying lighting, sound and projection; our theatre majors graduate with the real‐world training and skills to excel.

Real-world learning in the theatre degree

As a theatre major at UM, you’ll gain professional experiences through multiple realized productions, including the Montana Repertory Theatre, a touring Equity company and our theatre‐in‐residence at the University of Montana. You’ll also develop skills in your interest areas through a wide range of classes in movement, dance, stage combat, design and construction and more.

Theatre arts internships

Take part in internships across the country, gaining on‐the‐job experience as performers, stagehands or production assistants and more. Several of our theatre majors have worked at Disneyworld and Disneyland, earning credits while learning about performance aspects in theme parks. Additional internship opportunities are available locally with the Montana Repertory Theatre.

Study abroad in the theatre program

The degree in theatre at UM offers a number of exciting opportunities to study abroad. Our faculty have led several tours in Europe for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, taking students to study theatre in Germany, Czech Republic and Italy. Our School of Theatre and Dance (in conjunction with the Montana Repertory Theatre) recently took a production to China for two weeks, and prior to that built the United States Exhibit for the Prague Quadrennial.

Career development in the theatre bachelor's degree program

Get the support you need to succeed in the world of theatre arts at UM. With small classes and dedicated faculty who care, we offer the kind of personal, one‐on‐one mentorship and training you won’t often find in other theatre programs of our size and scope.

Faculty mentorship and experience in the theatre degree

Our faculty have wide-ranging skills and professional experiences in the theatre arts, and help connect students with the right career opportunities. These connections take UM theatre majors all over the world.

Our design faculty work in the United States and Canada, designing and building for major companies such as Santa Fe Opera and the University of British Columbia. Some have established partnerships with other schools in countries such as Japan. Many of our faculty are published in major journals in the United States and Europe.

Student organizations in the theatre program

Connect with peers, make new friends and develop your professional network. Our bachelor’s degree in theatre offers student clubs that produce scripts, plays, dance performances and more to develop skills beyond the classroom. Any student can audition for productions and our classes are open to all.

Theatre scholarships

We award $30‐40K in scholarships to students majoring in theatre each year. There are also several work‐study opportunities in the theatre office, box office and the shops. Learn more about theatre scholarship opportunities at UM.

Explore classes in the theatre major

Coursework for the bachelor’s degree in theatre explores areas such as dramatic literature, stagecraft, theatre history, construction, acting and directing. From there, you’ll choose additional courses with the help of your advisor, including options in voice and speech, physical theatre, dramaturgy, teaching, and technology and design.

View all classes for the bachelor’s degree in theatre.