Theatre Arts Program
Visit Web Site
Admissions Information
Course Catalog
Alumni Page
3451 Walnut Street
Philadelphia,Pennsylvania 19104
215.898.5271
noahlev@upenn.edu
DEGREES OFFERED
|
|
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts Minor in Theatre Arts
|
The Theatre Arts Program at Penn offers students the opportunity to study theatre in the classroom and in production work under the guidance of faculty members who are experienced and trained actors, directors, designers, scholars, and teachers. Structured as a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum, the program offers a full range of courses in all areas of theatre study, among them: acting, directing, design, theatre history, dramatic literature, performance theory, playwriting, dramaturgy, musical theatre, as well as many other specialized topics. Students may also receive course credit for working on faculty-directed productions. Guest artist-teachers provide the opportunity for additional training in such areas as voice, movement, solo performance, physical theatre, etc. Penn takes advantage of its location—Philadelphia has a vibrant and active theatre community and we incorporate local productions in our classes and extra-curricular activities as often as possible. Students may also earn credit for course work conducted off-campus through such programs as Study Abroad and Penn Summer-in-London.
Theatre Arts welcomes all Penn undergraduates to enroll in classes and participate in productions. Some students choose to take a class or two in theatre as part of their liberal arts education; others choose to major in theatre, making it the primary focus of their academic careers. Penn makes it possible for students to “double major,” and many Theatre Arts majors have a second area of focus in another department or school at Penn. Theatre Arts also offers a theatre minor. Eligible senior majors are invited to undertake an Honors Thesis Project, which is based in practical performance or scholarly research.
Each year Theatre Arts mounts a production season, with plays directed by members of the faculty and by advanced majors, and all Penn students are welcome to audition. For nearly thirty years, the program has staged plays and performance pieces from many different places, periods, and genres. We offer workshops and staged readings. The educational philosophy of the Theatre Arts Program is that academic and artistic courses go hand in hand and that serious study in the classroom and applied work in the rehearsal room are both integral aspects of learning the rigorous and rewarding art of theatre-making.
Acceptance Rate:
The University of Pennsylvania's overall undergraduate acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 5%, with 65,236 applications received and 3,523 students offered admission. While a specific Theatre Arts Program acceptance rate isn't available, the overall selectivity suggests the program is highly competitive.
Faculty Info:
Marcia Ferguson, Rosemary Malague, Cary M. Mazer, Jennifer Joan Thompson
Related Articles
MY ITALY STORY Revival Comes to Art House Productions
by Stephi Wild
- September 22, 2025
NYC-based actor Michael Notardonato, featured in the new Netflix series Ratu Ratu Queens, will star in the revival of My Italy Story, playwright Joseph Gallo's endearing play about family.
HAIR and More Set for University of Texas at Arlington Theatre Arts and Dance Department Season
by A.A. Cristi
- August 25, 2025
UTA Theatre Arts and Dance begins the fall semester with two contemporary plays presented in repertory in the Studio Theatre. Will Powers 2018 play, Seize the King, is a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's Richard III seen through an Afrofuturist lens. Guest director Jiles King is excited for the challenges this play will bring to UTA Acting students, particularly the plays ' combination of contemporary and poetic language.' Seize the King opens September 19th in the Studio Theatre, running for four performances.
2025 Tony Awards Recap: Highlights, Surprises, and Must-See Moments
by Josh Sharpe
- June 08, 2025
Once again, Broadway's biggest night has come and gone! With the 78th Annual Tony Awards now behind us, we have compiled a list of some of the most memorable moments from the evening, including fun references and Easter eggs you may have missed, standout segments, performances, and more.
Industry Pro Newsletter: As The Broadway Box Office Booms, States Look at Reducing Funds
by Alex Freeman
- June 03, 2025
This week, we’re looking at key data on the financial health of the industry from Broadway's record-setting season to the critical role of stable real estate for smaller New York City companies, as revealed by A.R.T./NY's 'HEALTH + WEALTH' report. While we celebrate achievements like the Excellence in Theatre Education Award and the Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations, we also look at ongoing challenges in arts funding across the nation, with states like California, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire facing proposed cuts and shrinking resources.
Annabelle Duffy To Perform Free Concert At Cohoes Music Hall
by A.A. Cristi
- April 01, 2025
Playhouse Stage Company has announced that the company will welcome Capital Region native Annabelle Duffy, who studied with the Playhouse from 2011 through 2019, back to Cohoes Music Hall for a one-night-only, free concert event featuring the songs of Funny Girl and more.
Cast and Creative Team Set For MY ITALY STORY From American Theater Group
by Stephi Wild
- September 16, 2024
NYC-based actor Michael Notardonato, soon to be featured in a new Netflix series, will star in American Theater Group’s (ATG), endearing play My Italy Story by NJ playwright Joseph Gallo. The 2024-25 Season Opener will be directed by Charlotte Cohn, who most recently helmed ATG’s world premiere Canned Goods.
Previews: Fall Plays & Musicals to See in Dayton, Ohio
by Brennan Paulin
- September 03, 2024
Check out the shows coming up in Dayton, Ohio in fall 2024. The last two shows they will be producing are THE GLASS MENAGERIE and THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. Considering they've been a staple of Middletown for the last 46 years, I highly encourage readers to add these last two shows to their calendars in support of this group so they can go out with a bang.