Doane University

What you'll study

The Drama programme at Doane balances practical and academic work. Students take ensemble-based acting and movement courses alongside modules in directing, script analysis, playwriting and theatre history. Production-focused classes cover сценe and set design, lighting, sound, costuming and stagecraft so that students graduate with both performance and technical theatre skills.

• Acting and Performance: voice and diction, improvisation, scene study, movement for the actor.
• Production and Technical Theatre: scenic design, lighting design, sound design, properties and costume construction, stage management.
• Creative Practice: directing, playwriting, dramaturgy and collaborative creation workshops.
• Theory and History: surveys of theatre history, dramatic literature, contemporary performance theory and criticism.
• Professional Skills: audition technique, portfolio and resume development, producing and arts administration, internship placements.

Programme structure typically includes a core sequence in drama, elective choices to deepen technical or performance specialisms, and participation in departmental productions. Students are expected to participate in a range of public performances across the academic year and may undertake capstone projects or practicum experience in their final year.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised high school diploma or equivalent. Admissions consider academic preparation within a liberal‑arts context and evidence of commitment to theatre practice. Prospective majors are normally asked to audition or submit a performance portfolio; written samples or a short personal statement about theatrical experience are also commonly requested. Transfer students are welcome and will be evaluated on prior college coursework and theatre experience.

International applicants must meet Doane’s general admissions criteria for international students and provide documentation of prior study and English language proficiency where required. Candidates intending to pursue teacher licensure should consult programme advisors for additional requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Drama programme move into a range of theatre and related careers. Typical paths include acting for stage, film and television; directing and assistant directing; technical theatre roles such as lighting, sound and set design; and stage management. Many graduates also work in theatre education, community arts, arts administration, producing, dramaturgy, and arts outreach programmes. The degree also prepares students for graduate study in MFA or MA programmes and for professional training at conservatoires.

Alumni often find entry-level opportunities through departmental networks, internships with regional companies, and community partnerships. The combination of practical experience and liberal‑arts skills (communication, collaboration, critical thinking) also suits careers beyond theatre, including event production, marketing and nonprofit management.

Why study at Doane University

Doane offers a small-college environment with close faculty mentorship and abundant opportunities to work onstage and behind the scenes. The Drama programme emphasises experiential learning: students regularly perform in departmental productions, take leadership roles in production teams, and can pursue internships with local and regional theatre organisations.

The curriculum is integrated with Doane’s broader liberal-arts offerings, enabling students to combine theatre study with minors or double majors across humanities, communication, education and studio arts. Faculty are practitioner-teachers who bring current professional practice into the classroom, and the programme supports student scholarship, directed research projects and community-engaged experiences that prepare graduates for both professional work and further study.