Ramapo College of New Jersey

What you'll study

This programme balances practical studio work with critical study of drama and theatre history. Students typically take a sequence of core courses alongside electives and production practicums to build a portfolio of performance or technical work.

• Acting and Performance: scene study, improvisation, voice and speech, movement for the actor, audition technique.
• Production and Technical Theatre: stagecraft, scenic design, lighting design, sound design, costume and makeup, stage management.
• Design and Technology: drafting and rendering, technical drawing, digital design tools for theatre, props and scenic construction methods.
• Theatre Studies: play analysis, dramatic literature, theatre history, theory and criticism, contemporary global theatre practices.
• Directing and Playwriting: fundamentals of directing, collaborative rehearsal techniques, script development and new-play workshops.
• Practicum and Capstone: participation in departmental mainstage and studio productions in a variety of roles; a senior project, portfolio or capstone seminar that synthesises practice and scholarship.

Entry requirements

Applicants must meet Ramapo College's general undergraduate admission requirements. In addition, the theatre programme typically requires demonstration of ability or potential in one of the programme’s emphases.

• Submit official high school or transfer college transcripts demonstrating completed secondary education or equivalent.
• Performance emphasis: an audition or video submission showcasing acting or movement work; candidates may also be invited for an interview or callback.
• Design/technical emphasis: a portfolio of design, technical or related creative work, or a technical skills inventory and interview.
• Letters of recommendation that speak to academic readiness and creative potential are welcomed.
• Applicants whose first language is not English may need to demonstrate English proficiency according to the college’s requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with practical experience and a body of work that supports entry into a range of theatre and arts professions, and preparation for graduate study.

• Performer (theatre, film, television, commercial work)
• Stage manager or production manager
• Scenic, lighting, sound or costume designer and technician
• Director, dramaturg or playwright
• Arts administrator, producer or development officer for cultural organisations
• Education roles such as theatre teaching, community arts programming and outreach
• Further study in MFA, MA or specialised conservatory programmes

Why study at Ramapo College of New Jersey

Ramapo College offers a liberal-arts environment that emphasises small classes, close faculty mentorship and plentiful opportunities to work on real productions. The department’s curriculum is practice-oriented: students gain repeated hands-on experience in acting, design and production roles, supported by coursework in theatre history and criticism.

The college’s theatre season and studio work give students chances to build résumés while collaborating across disciplines, and proximity to regional professional theatres and New York City provides access to internships, guest artists and industry connections. Faculty are practitioner-teachers who guide students through mounting shows, developing portfolios and transitioning into professional or graduate pathways.