Bachelor of Arts in Theatre (BA)
At MCLA, theatre students become total theatre makers, writing, directing, designing, and performing in the heart of the Berkshires, one of the nation’s most active cultural regions.
Make theatre. Shape stories.
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Program Delivery: On Campus
Next Term: Fall 2026
Part-Time Options: Available Through Flexible Course Enrollment
Why Choose MCLA’s Theatre Program?
MCLA’s Theatre Program emphasizes exploration in performance, design, and storytelling while building diverse portfolios through hands-on work in our theatre season. This broad foundation supports adaptable, sustainable careers in the theatre profession.
Collaborative Theatre-Making
Students begin with a foundation in acting, design, and storytelling before pursuing areas of deeper interest. This interdisciplinary approach encourages creative thinking and reflects how theatre is made today, through collaboration.
Preparing Creative Professionals
MCLA theatre students graduate with practical experience, diverse portfolios, and collaborative skills that translate to careers across the performing arts, creative industries, education, and many other professional fields.
The Berkshires Cultural Landscape
Located in one of the country’s most vibrant cultural regions, MCLA connects students
to a network of theatres, artists, and cultural institutions. Students engage with
the Berkshires ’thriving creative community while still enrolled.
Career Outlook & Program Outcomes
Where This Degree Takes You
A B.A. in Theatre prepares students for careers in creating, designing, acting, producing,
and developing new work across the performing arts and creative industries while building
collaborative and leadership skills valued across many professions.
Career Opportunities
- Theatre-maker, Actor, Director, or Devising Artist
- Scenic, Lighting, or Costume Designer
- Creative Producer or Arts Administrator
- Educator or Teaching Artist
- Film, Television, or Digital Media Production
- Exhibition, Installation, or Immersive Experience Design
- Project Management and Leadership Roles Across Industries
- Graduate Study in Theatre, Acting, Directing, or Design
Skills You Will Develop
Your Journey to the B.A. in Theatre
Engage with three interconnected strands—creative practice, cultural context,
and production experience—throughout the program.
learn the foundation
Students begin by building a shared foundation in theatre-making, creative thinking,
and
storytelling:
AMGT 130: Introduction to Arts Management
THEA 120: Acting, Culture, and the Creative Self
THEA 130: Theatre, Society, and Transformational Justice
THEA 140: Dramatic Imagination
THEA 262: Production Practicum
Explore Creative Paths
Students select courses that expand both performance and design skills:
THEA 220: Voice and Movement
THEA 260: Solo Performance
THEA 311: Set Design
THEA 312: Costume Design
THEA 313: Lighting Design
deepen your focus
Students pursue areas of deeper interest through advanced coursework in performance, design, theatre history, and new work development:
THEA 310: Design Topics
THEA 340: Acting Shakespeare
THEA 341: Acting Musical Theatre
THEA 370: New Works Development
THEA 384: Costume History
THEA 410: Design Studio
THEA 420: Audition Technique
THEA 470: Directing
make theater
Students participate in productions throughout the program, gaining hands-on experience
and building diverse portfolios:
THEA 263: Performance Practicum
THEA 372: Production Practicum
THEA 373: Performance Practicum
THEA 375: Set/Lighting Design Practicum
THEA 376: Costume Design Practicum
Spotlight Courses
Faculty
Meet Your Mentors
2025-26 Performances
FAQs
No. Students do not need to audition or submit a portfolio to study theatre at MCLA.
The
Theatre major is open to all students admitted to the college, allowing anyone with
an
interest in theatre to explore acting, design, storytelling, and participate in productions
through the course.
Yes. Theatre classes and productions are open to students across the college. Students
from many majors take Theatre courses, work on productions, and collaborate creatively
while pursuing their primary field of study.
Students begin with a foundation in acting, design, storytelling, and the Theatre’s
social and
cultural context. From there, they explore areas such as voice and movement, solo
performance, design, Theatre history, and new work development, shaping a Theatre
practice aligned with their interests.
Yes. Theatre students frequently collaborate with students across the Fine and
Performing Arts Department, including music, industry and production, art, and arts
management. Many also pursue double majors or minors in areas such as psychology,
sociology, English, or history, bringing perspectives from across the liberal arts
into their
creative work.
Yes. Students participate in the department’s theatre season beginning in their first
year
and continuing throughout the program. Through practicum courses, they gain hands-on
experience contributing to productions as actors, designers, stage managers,
dramaturges, creative team members, and collaborators.
Yes. Students have opportunities to work in many roles throughout the theatre season,
including acting, designing scenery, lighting, and costumes, directing, and dramaturgy
and supporting the behind-the-scenes operations of each production.
A theatre degree prepares students for careers across the performing arts and creative
industries, including theatre-making, design, production, education, arts administration,
media, and live events. The collaborative, communication, and creative problem-solving
skills developed through theatre training also translate to many professional fields.
The Berkshires are one of the country’s most vibrant cultural regions, home to
numerous Theaters, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. Studying Theatre
at
MCLA places students in the middle of this creative landscape, offering opportunities
to
engage with a thriving arts community while still in school.
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