Radford University

What you'll study

The programme delivers a balance of practical studio training, production experience and academic study of dramatic literature and theatre practice. Core areas include acting technique, voice and movement, scene study, script analysis and theatre history, alongside training in design and technical theatre (scenic design, lighting, sound and costume) and directing fundamentals.

Students typically combine general education requirements with major core courses and electives. Typical modules and activities you can expect are:

• Acting and Performance: introductory and advanced acting, scene work, audition technique, voice and speech.
• Production and Technical Theatre: stagecraft, scenic construction, lighting and sound design, costume construction, stage management.
• Academic Studies: theatre history, dramatic literature, playwriting, dramaturgy and contemporary theatre studies.
• Directing and Collaboration: directing practicum, ensemble work, collaboration with designers and technicians.
• Practicum and Portfolio Development: participation in departmental productions, internships, and a senior project or capstone that showcases performance or design work.

Practical experience is integral: students work on multiple fully staged productions each year in a variety of roles, gaining credit for both onstage and backstage work. Opportunities to cross-enrol in cinema and media courses are often available for students interested in screen acting and production.

Entry requirements

Applicants need a secondary school completion qualification (or recognised equivalent) and a satisfactory academic record. Specific requirements vary by entry route and residency; candidates are expected to demonstrate competence in written and spoken English.

Students applying for a performance- or production-focused pathway should be prepared for an audition or portfolio review as part of the selection process. Typical supporting materials and steps include:

• Transcripts from secondary education.
• Personal statement outlining theatre experience and goals.
• Letters of recommendation (often from teachers or theatre practitioners).
• Audition pieces (monologues or scenes) for performance applicants; portfolios or design samples for design/technical applicants.
• International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests or institutional requirements.

Transfer applicants and those with prior college credits should submit college transcripts; placement within the programme may depend on prior preparation and faculty review.

Career prospects

Graduates with a Bachelor’s in Drama are prepared for a wide range of careers in the performing arts and related fields. Immediate career paths include actor, stage manager, director’s assistant, lighting or sound technician, costume designer, scenic carpenter and dramaturg.

Beyond production roles, alumni move into arts administration, community and educational theatre, casting assistance, theatre education (often combined with additional teacher certification), event production, and roles in film and television production. The practical training and portfolio of productions also support entrepreneurial careers such as founding a theatre company, freelancing as a designer or performer, and producing independent work.

Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in areas such as acting, directing, design, theatre history or arts management to specialise or gain teaching credentials.

Why study at Radford University

Radford’s theatre programme emphasises hands-on learning in an environment with small class sizes and close faculty mentorship. Students gain regular, credited production experience across acting, design and technical roles, allowing them to build a professional portfolio before graduation.

The department maintains strong links with regional theatres and arts organisations, creating internship and networking opportunities. Interdisciplinary options with cinema and media courses broaden pathways into screen work and digital production. The programme’s focus on both practical craft and critical study prepares students for a range of creative and cultural careers.