Theatre

Among artistic traditions, theatre has a particularly rich and unbroken history; the same Shakespearean dramas that moved audiences in the 16th century still grip them today. Oglethorpe is a great place to take part in that tradition: inspired by our historic origins, we’re forging an exciting path into the future.

Oglethorpe offers training in all of the main theatrical disciplines. Not only do theatre artists need to have a full understanding of how each discipline collaborates with each other, but students with a diverse range of skills have greater opportunities for employment both in and out of the theatre profession. As a Theatre student at Oglethorpe, you’ll take courses in acting, directing, technical theatre, design, and theatre history. You’ll also have the opportunity to take additional electives in the areas that interest you most including voice, movement, film acting, scenic painting, stage combat, playwriting, and non-profit management. You’ll study under experienced Oglethorpe faculty and guest professionals working in the industry.

You’ll also be able to practice your craft in outstanding facilities: Oglethorpe’s state-of-the-art Conant Performing Arts Center includes seminar classrooms, two rehearsal rooms, a number of dressing rooms, storage for costumes and props, light and sound production facilities, a box office, and a scene shop. And of course, the Conant stage itself offers modified thrust configuration with vom and trap capacities and fly space, plus orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony seating for 511 patrons.

OU students and Actor's Express performers on stage during Urinetown 2023. Student actors perform in The Tempest
The cast of Heathers: The Musical on stage Heathers: The Musical The Servant of Two Masters performance The Servant of Two Masters
OU students perform The One Act Play That Goes Wrong in Conant Theatre. The One Act Play that Goes Wrong OU students perform Othello in the Conant Theatre. Othello

Urinetown by Actor’s Express and Oglethorpe University

Offered as:

B.A. in Theatre
Minor in Theatre (TU)

Real-world Experience

For artistic types, the big city is definitely the place to be! Whether you want to intern, audition, or volunteer, or simply take in all the great plays you can, Atlanta’s thriving community theater scene offers opportunities galore.

Oglethorpe boasts partnerships with outstanding local theaters: Actor’s Express, Alliance Theatre, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Horizon Theatre Company, and Capitol City Opera Company. Through these exciting partnerships, students will find additional opportunities to serve as teaching assistants for grade school-age students, work on the technical or backstage crew, appear on stage in polished productions at the Conant Performing Arts Center, and complete internships in theatre administration.

Oglethorpe Theatre students and graduates have excellent options for internships, including Actor’s Express, Theatrical Outfit, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Synchronicity Theatre, Chattanooga Theatre Centre, Dad’s Garage Theatre Company, Essential Theatre, Horizon Theatre, Music Circus Sacramento, Theatre du Reve, The Imperial OPA, Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern, Trinity Shakespeare (Fort Worth, TX), and the Atlanta-based Turner Broadcasting System (TBS).

Led by faculty and staffed by a talented crew of student actors, designers, and technicians, Oglethorpe University Theatre mounts four productions each year – offering helpful hands-on experience for each and every student. The theatre program also provides resources and mentorship to student-led theatre troupes so they can produce their own productions.

Join Alpha Psi Omega, Oglethorpe’s chapter of the National Theatre Honor Society. Open to high-achieving students in the dramatic arts, membership is a great way to enhance your undergraduate experience and your resume.

Learn from the insider knowledge and local expertise of Atlanta professionals through instructive on-campus workshops on everything from the actor’s craft to the theater business, and more.

If Shakespeare is your inspiration, Oglethorpe is a great place to learn. Along with the one-of-a-kind minor in Shakespeare and Renaissance Studies, there’s “Shakespeare at Oxford,” a summer study abroad experience that includes excursions to the Globe Theatre, Regents Park, and other premier venues throughout London and Oxford.

Interested in a TV and film career? Atlanta is an ideal spot to dip your toe into the movie business, with hundreds of productions being shot each year, including Stranger Things, The Vampire Diaries, The Walking Dead, and Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Life After Oglethorpe

Oglethorpe’s Theatre department produces graduates who revel in their creativity, communicate effectively with an audience, collaborate productively with a team, and think quickly on their feet: all great skills in many careers (think education, events planning, journalism, marketing, psychology, law, and more). So whether you choose to pursue your passion for the stage or put your talents to work in another field, a theater degree is great training for whatever lies ahead.

Oglethorpe Theatre grads are working in professional theaters all over the region; others have landed local film and television jobs. Many are making big names for themselves, like Gillian Rabin ’19, who starred in the stage production of Darlin’ Cory and will appear in the movie Emergency; Weston Manders ’12, voted as Best Actor in Atlanta by Creative Loafing in 2014; Kyle Brumley ’12, who was honored as one of 30 Under 30 Creative Atlantans by Arts ATL; Vince Pisani ’00, who’s appeared in a lengthy list of TV shows and films; and Jason Gabriel Dean ’03, a rising star in the playwriting world, who received a prestigious fellowship from Princeton.