Act, direct, design, write, study—you can do it all.
Students graduate from our program able to produce excellent work in all areas of theatre: acting, directing, design, management and dramaturgy. Our curriculum trains students as theatre generalists who possess the full range of skills for a career in theatre. Broad training is supplemented by concentrated study in one of the following areas: acting, design and technology, or dramaturgy.
Theatre training provides essential skills.
57% of business leaders surveyed in 2018 said they believed soft skills were the most important. Perhaps that’s because soft skills translate to any career path and most aspects of being a great employee, teammate, and leader.
In 2019, LinkedIn named it “the most important skill in the world.” The World Economic Forum (WEF) placed it third on a list of the “10 skills you need to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Surprisingly, it is not data science or artificial intelligence, but something much softer: creativity.
According to Entrepreneur Magazine, “as the COVID-19 outbreak became more and more serious, companies learned a valuable lesson: the difference between success and failure is creativity…creativity has not only become highly valuable, but a way to survive…Creatives are the ones who are keeping brands afloat.”
Critical and Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving
Organization
Time Management
Personal and Professional Initiative
Personal and Professional Resilience
Collaboration
Communication (Speaking and Listening)
Imagination and a Growth Mindset
Cultural Awareness and Appreciation
Self-Confidence
Want to teach theatre? We do that, too.
In addition to a theatre major, we offer a theatre education major for students interested in becoming theatre teachers. Broad training in theatre is supplemented by coursework in education.
<blockquote class="callout-quote"><div class="callout-quote-text"><p> “Because it is such a small department, each professor takes the time to really help and get to know you as a person, actor and student.”</p></div><footer class="callout-quote-footer">Emma Wohlstadter ’23</footer></blockquote>
For majors and non-majors alike.
While many students choose theatre, our program also offers opportunities for students in other majors who want to continue to perform, direct, design or crew. Many of our theatre students also take advantage of opportunities at Monmouth in music and art.
As a special benefit of our program, all theatre majors receive a free professional headshot. See samples and meet our current majors below.
Theatre professor Doug Rankin ’79 reflects on growing up on the Monmouth campus, attending the College as a student and teaching theatre for more than three decades.
Whether your dream is to spend a few weeks across the globe or a semester in L.A., Monmouth students have access to unique experiences all over the world.
Don’t have a U.S. passport? We’ll cover the cost and help with the paperwork. Our Office of Global Engagement will help you research options, apply for travel grants and prepare for departure.
