Bring Stories to Life
Whether your passion is performing, directing, design or production, you'll develop the creative, technical and collaborative skills to bring stories to life. Through our professional partnership with the Mary Moody Northen Theatre (MMNT), hands-on coursework, close faculty mentorship and multiple productions each year, you'll gain real-world experience while building the confidence and versatility to pursue careers in theater, entertainment, arts leadership or graduate study.
Why Earn Your Theater Arts Degree at St. Edward's?
As a Theatre Arts major at St. Edward’s, you’ll develop a broad understanding of theatre while building an individualized path around your own interests and career goals. The BA in Theatre Arts combines study in performance, design, production and management with the flexibility to explore areas such as directing, stage management, dramaturgy, design and technology, or other aspects of the theatrical profession.
Your education extends beyond the classroom through hands-on work in the Mary Moody Northen Theatre, the department’s professional producing theatre. There, you’ll collaborate with faculty, fellow students and professional guest artists while gaining practical experience in the process of creating and producing live theatre. Our professionally active faculty and staff bring their ongoing work in the field directly into the classroom and production process, while prioritizing connections that help students pursue internships, professional projects and other opportunities beyond campus.
Located in Austin, St. Edward’s places you in the heart of one of the country’s most vibrant creative communities. Through the relationships of our faculty and staff and the opportunities available throughout the city, you’ll begin building a professional network while developing the skills, experience and versatility to create your own path in the theatre industry.
Launch Your Career
Learn alongside working theater professionals while building experience in performance, design, stage management or theater administration. Eligible students can also earn membership in Ac
Experience Scholarship Audition Weekend
Discover what it's like to be a Theater Arts student during Scholarship Audition Weekend. Attend classes, audition for theater scholarships, participate in workshops, meet faculty and current students, tour campus and experience a production firsthand.
Learn from Industry Professionals
Work with guest artists from professional theater, film and television who bring real-world experience into the classroom and rehearsal space. Gain hands-on experience in acting, directing, writing, design and production while learning from accomplished creative professionals.
Create in Austin
Take advantage of Austin's vibrant performing arts community through internships, productions and professional connections. As one of the nation's most creative cities, Austin offers endless opportunities to gain experience, build your network and immerse yourself in the arts.
Life as a Theater Arts Major at St. Edward's University
Creativity thrives in community. As a Theater Arts student, you'll collaborate with classmates on productions, connect with faculty mentors and get involved in student organizations and campus traditions. With more than 80 theater companies across Austin, you'll have opportunities to attend performances, learn from local artists and even contribute to productions throughout the city's vibrant performing arts community. Along the way, you'll build meaningful relationships and have the unique opportunity to work with the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), who partners with Academy Award winners, Broadway veterans and TV and Film stars on productions with MMNT.
A Highly Successful Theater Arts Program
A Theater Arts degree from St. Edward's prepares you to perform, create and lead with confidence. Through productions, hands-on learning, faculty mentorship and opportunities to collaborate and connect with industry professionals, you'll graduate with the creative, technical and collaborative skills to pursue careers in theater, film, television, arts administration and beyond—or continue your education through graduate or professional study.
Frequently Asked Questions about a Theater Arts Degree from St. Edward's University
Skills You Will Gain
As a Theatre Arts major, you’ll develop a broad foundation in the collaborative art of making theatre while building deeper skills in the areas that align with your individual interests and career goals. You’ll learn to:
- Analyze a written work and translate that understanding into informed artistic choices.
- Communicate creative ideas effectively through performance, design, directing, production and collaborative processes.
- Develop practical skills in areas such as acting, voice-over work, scenic, costume, lighting, sound and projection design, stage and production management, and theatre technology.
- Collaborate with other artists to bring theatrical work from concept to performance.
- Apply creative problem-solving, critical thinking and professional practices throughout the rehearsal and production process.
- Build a versatile portfolio of experiences that reflects your individual interests and prepares you for professional opportunities, internships, graduate study or other careers in the arts.
Find what you need to apply and important deadlines. When you are ready, there are three ways for you to apply to St. Edward’s:
Add St. Edward’s to your list of schools if you’re using the Common Application to save time applying to your top colleges.
If you are applying to multiple schools in Texas, you can use ApplyTexas whether you’re a Texas resident or not.
Freshman ApplyTexas Application
It’s easy to apply using our convenient online application.
Degree Plan
Major Requirements:
The Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts requires 28 hours of Theater Core major courses and 25 hours of Emerging Forms Specialization courses.
General Education Requirements:
The Theater Arts degree requires 39 hours of general education courses plus major courses and electives.
Our graduates have built careers on Broadway, founded creative companies, taken leadership roles with internationally recognized entertainment organizations, and worked throughout professional theatre, production and the broader arts and entertainment industry. Others have continued their training at some of the nation’s most prestigious graduate programs.
Here's a sample:
- Three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, with producing credits including Once on This Island, Hadestown, and The Inheritance
- Production Stage Manager for Broadway
- Production Manager with Juniper Street Productions, supporting Broadway productions in New York City
- Assistant Production Manager with Hudson Scenic Studio, one of the country’s leading commercial scenery and automation companies
- Head of Wardrobe for Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA tour
- Development Associate with Theatre for a New Audience in New York City
- Rigger at Walt Disney World
- MFA in Design from Yale University
- MFA in Costume Design from Penn State University
- MFA in Costume Design from North Caroline University
- Professional career with Apple
- Founder and CEO of Henry Street Creatives
- Associate Artistic Director of Austin Playhouse
- Costume Design Associate for the Alley Theatre
- Fight Coordinator for Films, including "The Greatest"
- Development Analytical Associate for Broadway Cares
- Lighting the NBA Finals
Our Theatre Arts faculty and staff are professionally active artists and practitioners who bring their real-world experience directly into the classroom, studio and production process. Our faculty and staff will get to know you — your interests, your strengths and the kind of theatre artist you want to become. That mentorship extends beyond campus. Faculty and staff actively connect students with internships, professional projects and employment opportunities, helping them begin building a professional network long before graduation.
At St. Edward’s, you won’t simply study with theatre professionals. You’ll work alongside them.
View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Performing Arts webpage.
Preparing for Your Future in Theater Arts
A future in Theater Arts is built on creativity, collaboration and the power of storytelling. Whether you're pursuing a career in theater, film, television, arts administration, education or another creative field, a Theater Arts degree from St. Edward's University prepares you with the communication, leadership and problem-solving skills employers value. You'll graduate ready to launch your career or continue your education through graduate or professional study with confidence.
Making an Impact
Acting major and Film Studies minor Mimi Crawford ’28 is building her craft from behind the scenes to center stage at St. Edward’s. After operating the spotlight for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre’s production of Nunsense: The Musical!, she made her MMNT acting debut as Ash in In the Amazon Warehouse Parking Lot — an experience she describes as a dream come true.
With mentorship from acting and writing faculty, Mimi has found a supportive community where she can take creative risks and sharpen her skills. Looking ahead, she hopes to build a career as a working actress in Austin, continuing to grow as an artist while making a living doing what she loves.
