Syracuse University

What you'll study

This programme balances practical studio work, production experience and academic study of theatre. Core areas typically include acting, voice and movement, script analysis, theatre history, directing, stagecraft, lighting and sound design, costume and scenic design, playwriting and dramaturgy. Students take a mix of workshop-style courses, seminar classes and large-scale production assignments across multiple terms.

• Performance: scene study, improvisation, audition technique, on-camera work and movement for actors.
• Design & technical: scenic design, lighting design, sound design, costume construction, CAD for theatre and technical production management.
• Production experience: credit-bearing roles on departmental main-stage and studio productions, stage management assignments, crew leadership opportunities.
• Theory and history: theatre history, dramatic literature, criticism, and contexts for contemporary performance.
• Professional development: portfolio and resume preparation, audition preparation, internship placements and career seminars.

Students usually follow a structured progression from foundational studios in the first year to advanced, specialised coursework and leadership roles in productions in later years. Independent projects, capstone work or honours options are often available for senior students.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requires a high school diploma or equivalent with a strong academic record. Applicants for performance and some specialised tracks are normally asked to complete an audition; design and technical applicants may submit a portfolio or attend an interview. All applicants must provide academic transcripts and a personal statement outlining their theatre experience and goals. International applicants must meet English-language proficiency requirements and provide equivalent academic documentation.

Successful candidates demonstrate a combination of creative potential, commitment to collaborative work, and readiness for a rigorous studio and academic schedule. Mature or transfer applicants should supply a transcript of college coursework and, where relevant, documentation of prior production credits or training.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a wide range of careers in the performing arts and related fields. Common pathways include:

• Actor in theatre, film, television and new media
• Director, assistant director and creative producer
• Stage manager and production manager
• Lighting, sound, scenic and costume designer
• Theatre educator, community arts practitioner and dramaturg
• Arts administration, producing, development and audience engagement roles in cultural organisations
• Related careers in casting, talent management, technical theatre for live events and entertainment technology

The programme’s combination of practical credits, internships and industry-facing activities helps graduates build show-reel material, design portfolios and professional networks that support entry into regional and national theatre, commercial entertainment and arts organisations.

Why study at Syracuse University

Syracuse University’s drama programme sits within a broader arts college that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration across music, visual arts, communications and engineering—useful for students exploring hybrid practices in performance and design. The curriculum emphasises sustained production experience, allowing students to take on meaningful roles in a steady season of department productions.

Students benefit from faculty who are active theatre professionals, a schedule of visiting artists and guest directors, and structured opportunities for internships and industry connections both locally and in nearby professional markets. Facilities support a range of practice from studio rehearsals to fully equipped production labs, and the university’s larger campus resources provide access to career services, research centres and cross-campus projects that broaden professional preparation.