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Theater Major

Theater Major

Learn to fulfill your creative potential and develop a strong foundation from which to launch an artistic career by earning the Bachelor of Arts in Theater in Temple’s School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. This 124-credit-hour undergraduate degree program is meant to impart the cognitive and creative skills necessary to cultivate the next generation of theater actors, designers, directors and teachers. 

Three concentrations offered within the program are

  • Acting,
  • Design and Production, and
  • Directing.

Developed within an interdisciplinary artistic environment in the bustling heart of Philadelphia, the Theater BA program at Temple allows students to also enjoy a vast array of opportunities for learning outside of the classroom.

You can also explore information about the Musical Theater Major and the Technical Production and Management Major.

Theater Studies Sequence

The Theater Studies Sequence, an alternative to choosing one of the more specialized concentrations, is ideal for theater students who are interested in a more well-rounded curriculum. A broad foundation of theater classes gives way to opportunities for more tailored advanced courses, guided by the student’s goals and faculty input.

This program affords maximum flexibility and the chance to pursue a variety of coursework, as well as a minor or double major. Though the focus will always remain on the theater, general Theater majors develop lifelong skills that extend well beyond the stage, such as leadership, creativity and effective communication. Graduates are prepared for careers both within the world of theater and outside of it.

Two female students apply makeup backstage before a show.

Concentrations

This degree program can be completed with or without a concentration. Your concentration options include

  • Acting

    Prepare to enter a graduate acting program or pursue a career in film, theater and TV. This program provides high-caliber training in the context of a liberal arts education, so you can thrive either in a graduate conservatory program or professionally. This concentration is available to students in their junior year. Specific curriculum is recommended for acting-focused students to build up to their audition which occurs at the end of sophomore year.

    View Concentration Details

  • Design and Production

    Prepare to enter a graduate design or production program or pursue a career in film, theater and TV. This program provides high-caliber training in the context of a liberal arts education, so you can thrive either in a graduate conservatory program or professionally. Read more about the Design and Production concentration in the Bachelor of Arts in Theater program.

    View Concentration Details

  • Directing

    Uncover who you are as a theater artist and discover what it means to be a storyteller in mind, spirit and imagination. Develop the skills of a well-rounded theater artist under the philosophical foundation of the collaborative process, preparing for the next level of training in theater, television and film. Receive high-caliber instruction and prepare to thrive either in a graduate conservatory program or in the real-world of directing. Intensive and varied craft-oriented classes, combined with experiential work in minimalist to full-scale productions, allow students to develop the skills needed for creative communication and artistic leadership.

    View Concentration Details

Classes & Curriculum

The Theater BA program is designed to combine liberal arts classes with intensive theater studies, leading to a comprehensive overview of the world of theater. Over the course of the program, students will work toward either a Theater Studies Sequence or one of three other concentrations. As such, students are encouraged to choose courses which best fit their desired area of focus.

Students who pursue the Design and Production concentration have the option to take a Theater internship as one of their required courses, in addition to the foundation courses.

Learn more about Theater Major courses.

    Theater Education 4+1 Program 

    The Theater Education 4+1 Program allows students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Theater with a focus on theater education, a Master of Education, a minor in English and a certificate to teach in secondary schools in Pennsylvania. Students in the 4+1 Program begin taking graduate-level courses in their junior and senior year, which leaves only 19 credit hours of graduate work to be completed after earning the BA in Theater.

    Learn more about the Theater Education 4+1 Program.

    Related Graduate Degrees

    Related Certificates

    Tuition & Fees

    In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

    Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

    These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

    Pennsylvania resident: $21,360.00 per year
    Out-of-state: $37,032.00 per year

    Our Academic Advisors

    The School of Theater, Film and Media Arts academic advisors will help you chart your course through your academic program. They guide you in choosing electives, as well as navigating policies and procedures regarding changes of major, leaves of absence and withdrawals, and registration. 

    Call or email us or reach out directly to the advisors listed here.

    Phone: 215-204-2227
    Email: 

    R.J. McGhee is an associate academic advisor.
    Email: 

    Mayowa Ogunjobi is an academic advisor II.
    Email: 

    Program Contacts

    For visits and questions regarding recruitment for the Theater BA, contact the following staff member.
    Josette Todaro is the associate director of recruitment.
    Phone: 215-204-3209
    Email: 

    The head of each discipline in the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts provides academic and program support for students.

    Marie Anne Chiment is the faculty contact and head of Costume Design.
    Phone: 215-204-4024
    Email: 

    Fred M. Duer is the faculty contact and head of Scenic Design.
    Phone: 215-204-2804
    Email: 

    David Ingram is the faculty contact and head of Theater Studies.
    Phone: 215-204-6257
    Email: 

    Matthew Miller is the faculty contact and head of Theater Education & Stage Management.
    Phone: 215-204-4263
    Email: 

    Jason Norris is an assistant professor of lighting and project design in the Theater Department.
    Phone: 215-204-1050
    Email: 

    Peter Reynolds is the faculty contact and head of Musical Theater.
    Phone: 215-204-8628
    Email: 

    Melanie Julian is the faculty contact and head of Undergraduate Acting.
    Phone: 215-204-1324
    Email: 

    Student Clubs & Organizations

    The head of each discipline in the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts provides academic and program support for students.

    Marie Anne Chiment is the faculty contact and head of Costume Design.
    Phone: 215-204-4024
    Email:

    Fred M. Duer is the faculty contact and head of Scenic Design.
    Phone: 215-204-2804
    Email:

    David Ingram is the faculty contact and head of Theater Studies.
    Phone: 215-204-6257
    Email:

    Matthew Miller is the faculty contact and head of Theater Education & Stage Management.
    Phone: 215-204-4263
    Email:

    Jason Norris is an assistant professor of lighting and project design in the Theater Department.
    Phone: 215-204-1050
    Email: 

    Peter Reynolds is the faculty contact and head of Musical Theater.
    Phone: 215-204-8628
    Email: 

    Donna Snow is the faculty contact and head of Acting.
    Phone: 215-204-8414
    Email:

    Study Away

    Student clubs and organizations give you the opportunity to gain stage performance or production experience, express yourself without classroom restrictions, and network with other theater professionals. In addition, you can make friends and enhance your social life. Consider joining one or more of the following clubs.

    • Alpha Psi Omega is a nationally recognized honorary theater fraternity that elects Theater majors for membership as reward for their participation in university theater activities.  
    • Babel Poetry Collective is a group comprised of MCs, musicians and singers. Babel has off-campus events, open mics, two regular shows per semester and workshops to promote the popularity of poetry.
    • The Musical Theater Cooperative provides students with opportunities such as masterclasses, trips to New York City to see productions and workshops with musical theater professionals, as well as planned performances including cabarets, concerts and readings.
    • “Temple SMASH” is Temple University's first and only televised variety show, produced for students by students. Taped in front of a live studio audience in TV Studio 1 of Annenberg Hall in Klein College of Media and Communication, the show features an array of talent acts including dancers, musical groups, original sketch comedy, short films, stand-up comics and more.
    • Temple Theaters’ Sidestage Season is a group that facilitates Theater students’ professional growth by providing space, producers, marketing and publicity support for student productions.

    Learn more about clubs and organizations.

    Accreditation

    Spend a semester in the land of Shakespeare with the London Study Away Program. Live in the heart of London while studying theater. Supplement your coursework with free attendance at nine theatrical productions, courtesy of the American Institute for Foreign Study. You can also take advantage of internship opportunities to work with local English theaters as a box office attendant, clerical assistant, representative production assistant or another position.

    In addition, you can broaden your education by spending a semester or summer in Los Angeles studying the film industry as part of the Los Angeles Study Away Program. Explore the various facets of filmmaking through meetings with artists and industry professionals, lectures and on-site events, and special programs.

    Learn more about Temple’s other study away options.

    Additional Program Information