Santa Clara University

What you'll study

The programme emphasises both practice and scholarship. Core classwork typically covers acting technique, voice and speech, movement, script analysis, theatre history and dramatic literature. Production‑oriented modules include stagecraft, set and costume design, lighting and sound, stage management and technical theatre. Students also study directing and playwriting and take seminars on dramaturgy, theatre theory and contemporary performance practices.

Practical learning is central: students participate in production labs, scene workshops and public performances at on‑campus venues. Most students complete a capstone project or senior practicum that may be a directed production, a research thesis, or a portfolio of creative work. Elective options and cross‑disciplinary classes allow study in related areas such as film, media, digital design, education and arts management.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a secondary school diploma or equivalent and meet the university's general admission standards. Admission to the Drama major typically requires submission of academic transcripts and a personal statement that addresses theatrical experience and goals. Performance‑focused pathways often ask for an audition or submission of recorded work; production or design pathways may request a portfolio of technical work or design samples. Letters of recommendation and evidence of sustained involvement in theatre, school drama programmes or community arts are advantageous.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a wide range of careers in the performing arts and beyond. Common paths include work as actors, directors, stage managers, designers (set, costume, lighting, sound), dramaturgs, producers and playwrights. Many graduates find roles in arts administration, education (including youth and community theatre), casting, production management, technical direction, theatre outreach and producing for film/television. The programme’s emphasis on communication, critical thinking and collaborative problem‑solving also prepares students for careers in marketing, public relations, human resources and other professions that value creative leadership.

Why study at Santa Clara University

Santa Clara offers a small, student‑centred theatre programme within a liberal arts context informed by Jesuit values, emphasising ethical leadership and community engagement. Students benefit from close faculty mentorship, opportunities to work on multiple productions each year and access to campus performance spaces and technical facilities. The university’s location in the Bay Area provides access to a vibrant regional theatre scene, cultural organisations and internship opportunities in both live performance and media industries. Interdisciplinary collaborations with departments such as Film & Media Studies, Communication, Education and Business help students shape personalised pathways toward professional practice or further study.