Hanover College

What you'll study

The programme balances performance, technical discipline and theatre scholarship. Core areas include acting, voice and movement, scene study, classical and contemporary text work, directing, playwriting and dramaturgy. Students also study theatre history and literature, stagecraft and technical production (lighting, sound, set and costume), theatre design and scene painting, and production management.

Practical training is central: students take progressive skill-building courses in performance and technical work and participate in multiple departmental productions each year. Coursework typically culminates in a senior capstone project or directed production that integrates creative practice and research.

• Acting and ensemble techniques
• Voice, speech and movement for the actor
• Directing and script analysis
• Theatre history and dramatic literature
• Stagecraft: set, lighting and sound technologies
• Design: costume, scenic and lighting design principles
• Production practicum and stage management
• Playwriting and adaptation
• Capstone project or senior recital/production

Structure and learning opportunities

Students take a mixture of required core courses and electives, with credit earned through classes and production work. The department emphasises small classes, one-to-one coaching, and cross-disciplinary study within the college’s liberal arts curriculum. Opportunities include student-directed productions, internships with regional theatres, workshops, and collaborative projects with other departments such as music and education.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent and strong academic preparation in English and performing arts where available. Admission to the programme typically requires an audition or portfolio review; specific requirements vary by focus (acting, design/technical, directing or dramaturgy):

• Acting applicants: prepared monologues, cold reading and interview with faculty
• Design/technical applicants: portfolio of previous work or documentation of technical experience
• General applicants: personal statement outlining theatrical experience and goals, and academic transcript

Applicants are also usually asked to provide at least one letter of recommendation. Standardised test submission policies may be flexible; consult the college admissions office for current guidance on testing and transfer credit. Mature applicants with substantial practical experience are considered alongside recent school leavers.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a range of careers in the performing arts and related fields. Typical pathways include professional acting, directing, stage management, technical and production management, set and costume design, lighting and sound operation, and dramaturgy. Alumni also move into arts administration, education (including secondary teaching and university-level graduate study), theatre for young audiences, community and social practice theatre, and cultural programming in museums and non-profit organisations.

The programme’s emphasis on communication, teamwork and creative problem-solving also prepares students for roles outside the arts such as marketing, event management, media production and public relations.

Why study at Hanover College

Hanover College offers theatre training within the context of a liberal arts environment, giving students a broad intellectual foundation alongside focused practical work. The department’s small size means close mentorship from faculty, abundant performance opportunities, and the chance to take on significant production responsibilities early in the programme.

Students benefit from hands-on access to rehearsal and performance spaces, a production schedule that supports a variety of theatrical styles, and connections with regional theatre companies for internships and networking. The college’s interdisciplinary culture encourages collaboration across departments, helping theatre students develop complementary skills in writing, music, education and management.

Overall, Hanover’s drama programme is well suited to students who want rigorous practical training combined with the critical thinking and broad education that support adaptable, sustainable careers in the arts and beyond.