Theatre
Explore the world of acting, directing, stage design and storytelling. Build skills in collaboration, creativity and stagecraft while bringing characters and stories to life. Dive into hands-on experiences, from rehearsals to opening night, and immerse in the exciting world of theater production.
Why Purdue?
Applying
Understanding Undergraduate Degree Paths
The College of Liberal Arts offers multiple paths in select majors to accelerate degree completion and provide opportunities to earn multiple degrees simultaneously so you can make the most of your educational experience.
Degree in 3
Degree in 3 provides an accelerated pathway to complete your Liberal Arts degree in just three years — saving time and tuition. With focused planning and year-round support, you’ll be ready to start your career or pursue graduate school ahead of schedule, without missing out on the full Purdue experience.
Degree Plus
Earn two degrees in four years with Purdue’s Degree Plus program — combine Liberal Arts with STEM, business or any other major, all without extra time or tuition. Stand out with a multidimensional education that sets you apart.
Our students prepare for careers in a wide range of fields where creativity, critical thinking, communication and a deep understanding of the human experience are highly valued including:
- Actor
- Playwright
- Promotions manager
- Sales manager
- Scenic designer
- Stage manager
- Teacher
Our students gain hands-on experience and advanced education with opportunities across the country including:
- Assistant stage manager, Illinois Shakespeare Festival
- Manager of product management, Disney Experiences
- Director of show set operations, Cockram Scenario
- Show control designer, The Walt Disney Company
- Production manager and resident lighting designer, Sarasota Ballet
- Master of Fine Arts in costume design, Florida State University
- Master of Fine Arts in film and video production, University of Southern California
You should pursue the most rigorous high school curriculum available to you. Succeeding in challenging courses will make you a stronger candidate for Purdue’s competitive admission process and better prepare you for college success.
Minimum high school coursework (many applicants exceed these minimums):
- Math – 4 years
- English – 4 years
- Lab science – 3 years
- Social studies – 3 years
- World language – 2 years
Connect
College of Liberal Arts
Join a community of thinkers, doers and communicators. Explore our programs grounded in theory and driven by real-world impact.
Contact
Undergraduate Student Recruitment Office
(765) 494-6291
newstudent@purdue.edu
Visit
Experience for yourself all that Purdue has to offer with opportunities to explore in-person or virtually.
Apply
Ready to take the next step? Apply to begin your journey at Purdue in the theatre program.
Carol You
Ever since high school, Carol You wanted to try acting. At Purdue, she took Theatre Appreciation — just for fun — and auditioned for a show on a whim. She got cast, and that first rehearsal changed everything. The cast welcomed her, helped her grow and pushed her to be bold. After a few more roles, she made the leap from majoring in finance to theatre. And she’s never looked back.
Margaret Gholdson
Margaret started at Purdue as a Psychology major, but something felt missing — until her advisor suggested a Survey of Acting course. That class sparked something big. She added theatre as a second major and found her place. Now planning a PhD in adolescent therapy, Margaret sees acting as more than performance, “As an actor, you learn to understand people deeply. That’s exactly what I’ll need as a psychologist.”
Michael Murphy
Michael Murphy was drawn to Purdue’s Theatre program for its size—big enough for opportunity, small enough for personalized instruction. “I knew I’d get more one-on-one time with faculty and more chances to grow.” What he didn’t expect? Finding a tight-knit community of talented students who became collaborators and close friends. “I’ve learned so much from them, and I’d love to work with them again someday.”
Transfer to Theatre
Purdue admits to individual majors. Transfer students must meet Purdue’s overall transfer criteria, as well as any major-specific requirements. Before you apply, check the closed programs page to confirm this major is open to transfer students. If it is, refer to the information below for major-specific transfer criteria.
Minimum 2.5 GPA
