Eastern Washington University

What you'll study

The Drama degree provides a balance of practical studio work, production experience and academic study. Core areas include acting technique, voice and movement, stagecraft, design (scenic, costume, lighting and sound), directing, playwriting and dramaturgy. Students also study theatre history and dramatic literature to place practical work in cultural and historical context.

• Acting and Performance: scene study, improvisation, audition technique, on-camera work and classical text.
• Voice and Movement: vocal training, dialects, physical theatre and movement approaches.
• Production and Technical Theatre: stagecraft, scenic construction, lighting design, sound design and stage management.
• Design and Technology: conceptual design, drafting, CAD for theatre, costume construction and props work.
• Directing and Playwriting: fundamentals of directing, rehearsal process, script analysis and original dramatic writing.
• Theatre History and Theory: survey courses in dramatic literature, critical approaches and the study of theatre traditions.
• Practicum and Capstone: participation in departmental productions, crew assignments and a senior capstone project or portfolio.

Students typically progress from foundational studio courses into more specialised electives and production responsibilities. Hands-on learning through season productions and collaborative projects is central to the curriculum.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Admissions normally consider academic transcripts, a personal statement and letters of recommendation. Prospective performance majors are typically asked to attend an audition and may be required to submit a portfolio or video samples for design, technical or playwriting tracks.

Successful applicants usually demonstrate preparation in theatre arts (or related creative work), commitment to collaborative practice and readiness for both academic study and production work. Placement auditions or skill assessments may be used to place students into appropriate courses.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Drama programme move into a range of careers across the performing arts and related sectors. Common career paths include:

• Actor in theatre, film, television and new media
• Director, assistant director or rehearsal director
• Stage manager and production staff
• Scenic, lighting, sound and costume designer
• Technical director, shop foreperson or scenic carpenter
• Playwright, dramaturg or literary manager
• Arts administrator, producer or community engagement coordinator
• Secondary and postsecondary teaching and further graduate study (MFA, MA, or related professional programmes)

Hands-on production experience and local internship opportunities support transitions into professional roles or graduate training.

Why study at Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University offers a theatre programme emphasising experiential learning in a close-knit department where students have frequent opportunities to work on fully mounted productions. Class sizes are small, allowing for individualised instruction from faculty who combine academic expertise with professional experience.

The university’s location in the Inland Northwest provides regional connections to community and professional theatres, offering internships and collaborative projects. Students benefit from accessible rehearsal and production schedules that enable meaningful participation in multiple aspects of theatre-making, from acting and directing to technical design and management.

The programme prepares students for practical careers in the arts while supporting those who wish to continue to graduate study, with emphasis on building a professional portfolio and real-world experience before graduation.