Theatre, BA
Theatre is storytelling at its most magical. That’s why the BA in theatre at UT was designed to give you the skills, confidence, and imagination to tell impactful stories on the stage and beyond. As a student in this program, you will grow as a professional artist and collaborator, while finding your voice and exploring your passions.
Program Overview
The BA in theatre offers hands-on, lab-intensive production experience, equipping students for careers in performance, directing, set design, and more.
Through our renowned facilities and passionate faculty, you’ll become part of UT’s vibrant creative community, gaining hands-on acting experience through practical coursework.
Whether you’re interested in acting, or design and technology—the program’s two concentrations—you’ll learn to navigate challenges, gain technical production experience, and refine your creative performances.
Plus, with our Honors pathway and minor options you’ll have the flexibility to choose an academic path that meets your ambitions.
Concentrations
Our current selection of concentrations include:
- Theatre, BA (general)
- Acting concentration
- Design and Technology concentration
The Department of Theatre offers a general BA degree in theatre, but also encourages students to pursue their own unique, specialized interests. This includes acting as well as design and technology concentrations for those interested in learning set, lighting, and prop design; sound and audio engineering; or improv, vocal ranges, and stage performance.
Honors
If you’re interested in pursuing more advanced, rigorous coursework, our Honors pathway would be a great fit. You will take Honors-specific courses, all while receiving one-on-one mentorship from faculty dedicated to your success. To fulfill Honors requirements, students must maintain an overall 3.25 GPA and a GPA of 3.5 in theatre-related courses.
The Honors pathway is only offered for students pursuing the general Theatre, BA.
Minors
If you’re interested in supplementing another field of study with acting, theatre, or stage design skills, our minors would be a great fit.
Our current selection of minors include:
- Theatre minor
- Musical Theatre minor
Why Study Theatre?
With access to three professional and classroom-based theatres—the Clarence Brown Theatre, Jenny Boyd Theatre, and the Lab Theatre—students will have ample opportunities to work alongside distinguished faculty and staff with years of experience in theatre production. This immersive environment will not only teach you the skills needed for success in a rapidly evolving theatre world but also help you find your niche, whether that’s acting and performance, directing, or creative set and costume design.
Plus, with our newly dedicated Jenny Boyd Theatre, which began productions in the spring of 2026, you’ll find no shortage of opportunities to gain practical, hands-on experience in real-world theatre productions.
What Can You Do with an BA in Theatre After Graduation?
With a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, you’ll open pathways to a multitude of career opportunities. Whether you’re interested in acting, on the big screen or at on-stage productions like Broadway, many of our graduates have gone on to become successful actors, directors, and graduate students at highly respected MFA acting schools.
Others have gone on to run their own production companies, work as acting professors at leading universities across the country, and become respected set designers.
Whether you want to become a choreographer, costumer designer, managing director, acting coach, or playwright, our program equips you with the skills needed to build a clear path forward.
Featured Courses
THEA 205 Presence and Storytelling
This course helps students understand why the behavioral elements of presence (voice, body language, breathing) are crucial for communication to an audience. The student will study what a story is, how it works, and how to use it to create impactful well-researched presentations.
THEA 265 Introduction to Design and Production: Lighting, Sound, and Media
This course provides an overview of theatrical design, technology, and the design process. It also provides hands-on and lab-intensive work with required participation on a Clarence Brown Theatre production run crew.
THEA 345 – Costume Construction
This course teaches students techniques in the construction of costumes for the theatre.
THEA 326 Voice and Speech for the Stage Actor
This course introduces students to breath-centered, body-based voice production and as well as the exploration and control of shaping sound. This course also contains text work and is geared toward acting for the stage.
Complementary Majors, Minors, and Certificates
Looking to enhance your degree? Consider these programs as a complement to your primary major.
- Musical Theatre Minor
- English Minor
- Cinema Studies Minor
Looking For More Options?
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline.
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