Theatre, B.A.

Exploring the connection between what happens on stage and what happens in the world around us.

Our Bachelor of Arts in theatre program develops well-rounded artists who are curious, creative, collaborative, and engaged in the world around them. A rich and diverse combination of experiences will prepare you for careers onstage, backstage, or off-stage.

Course work will include dramatic theory, history, and literature, as well as various studio courses in acting and all phases of production work. You can expect to hone your performance and presentation abilities, build project management and other leadership skills, and develop a greater capacity to work collaboratively.

Supplementing course work is a rigorous production line up involving main stage shows, student-directed work, and our annual children’s theatre production in collaboration with The Visiting Writers Series and The Little Read. You will take an active role as theatre-makers right from the start, gaining invaluable hands-on experiences in performance, technology, design, direction, and management.

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Take the next step toward completing your B.A. in Threatre degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Take the next step toward completing your Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Learning Inside & Outside the Classroom

Majoring in theatre will allow you to develop many versatile skills that employers seek, including self-confidence, leadership, self-discipline, accepting critiques, collaboration with others, adaptability, listening and observing and empathy.

Beyond the Classroom

Our theatre program is the ideal blend of in-class and out-of-class learning. Whether the focus is on acting, production and design, directing, script or playwriting, you have significant opportunities to improve your craft.

You can take an active role in our Playmakers' theatre season—traditionally four productions per academic year—gaining invaluable experience in performance, technology, design, direction and management.

Additionally, many opportunities are available through community theatre productions as well as professional theatre events, such as the North Carolina Theatre Conference and Southeastern Theatre Conference. Through these types of events you can work side-by-side and build lasting relationships with professionals in their field.

Internships are a great way to expand your resume, along with mentorships, studying abroad, and joining our honors programs.
Theatre Facilities
We utilize two on-campus facilities for performances:
- Belk Centrum
  Venue that houses two of our four main stage productions; the stage is a modified thrust utilized for performances demanding an intimate space.
- P.E. Monroe Auditorium
  Venue that houses larger productions and musicals; the 1450 seat proscenium hosts a variety of professional and traveling performances, shows and presentations.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities span a wide array of areas in the theatrical world, including:
- Acting and performance
- Entertainment business and law
- Event management
- Production and direction
- Costume, make-up and set design
- Audio visual direction
- Education/teaching
- Talent management
The skills developed in our program lend themselves to a variety of careers outside the theatre realm as well, including:
- Sales and marketing manager
- Arts administrator
- Lobbyist
- Broadcaster
- Mediator/negotiator
- Development officer
- Public relations specialist
- Volunteer coordinator
- Realtor
- Event planner

Scholarships & Auditions

Lenoir-Rhyne’s appreciation and commitment to theatre are evident through scholarship funding over four years of study if you qualify. An audition and/or technical theatre interview is required.

Application Process

Contact Lindsay Weitkamp, Ph.D., at lindsay.weitkamp@lr.edu to schedule an audition and/or technical portfolio review.
Apply for admission to the university.
Apply for financial aid. Make certain that a FAFSA report is sent to Lenoir-Rhyne.
Prepare your audition pieces and/or your portfolio.

Formal scholarship awards are made by the Office of Financial Aid after all required forms and information have been submitted.

View Music and Talent Scholarships

Major Requirements

Our Bachelor of Arts in theatre program develops well-rounded artists who are curious, creative, collaborative, and engaged in the world around them. A rich and diverse combination of experiences prepares students for careers onstage, backstage, or off-stage.

Course work includes dramatic theory, history, and literature, as well as various studio courses in acting and all phases of production work. Students can expect to hone performance and presentation abilities, build project management and other leadership skills, and develop a greater capacity to work collaboratively.

Supplementing course work is a rigorous production line up involving mainstage shows, student-directed work, and our annual children's theatre production in collaboration with The Visiting Writers Series and The Little Read. The Theatre major earns a B.A. degree.

Honors

Students majoring in Theatre who are judged qualified by the faculty may, upon invitation, elect to pursue honors work in Theatre. To graduate ''With Honors in Theatre'', students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, a minimum major GPA of 3.2, and complete twelve credits of honors courses in the major area, including THR 499.

General Education Requirements (37 hours)

Graduation Requirements (4 hours)

General Education Requirements
Major Requirements (39 Hours)
Choose 4 hours from the following:
- All courses may be repeated for credit.
- THR 415 - Production Practicum III
- FAC 305 - Practicum
- FAC 490 - Internship
General Elective Credits

General Electives (40 hours) as needed to reach 120 hours overall.
Total Credit Hours - Minimum 120 hours

On occasion, technical and/or program requirements may also meet specific General Education requirements. Please confer with your program advisor to determine which courses, if any, may be counted accordingly.

All bachelor's degree programs at Lenoir-Rhyne require at least 120 credit hours. If, in combination, General Education, technical, and program requirements do not generate at least 120 hours, additional credits must be completed to achieve 120 hours. These classes may be general electives, or a student may complete a minor or additional major.

LR has influenced me to succeed because being around my peers and professors encourages me to do everything I can. I take hold of opportunities, no matter how small, because they help shape me.

Ariona Smith '20 Exercise Science and Theatre

Admission & Financial Aid

Program Contact

Lindsay Weitkamp, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7212
Hickory, NC 28601

Faculty Page

Playmakers Production Season

Students walking on campus with LR banners on light poles

LR to implement new software for scheduling events and rooms

Lenoir-Rhyne University is excited to announce the implementation of 25Live, a cutting-edge software solution designed to streamline event and classroom scheduling and management.