Dear Professor, I Have Concerns About Our Theatre Program...
Editor’s Note: The following is a letter that was sent to a professor at a small liberal arts college, expressing concerns about their theatre program. They felt that other theatre students may be feeling the same way about their education and asked us to publish the letter. We’re respecting their anonymity.
Dear Professor,
I hope you're doing well. I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts about my experience in the theatre program and, hopefully, start a conversation about how we can make it a more fulfilling and inspiring place for students.
First, I want to acknowledge and appreciate your dedication to theatre and to our growth as artists. It’s clear that you care deeply about the craft, and that passion is something we all admire. That being said, I and several of my peers have been struggling with aspects of the program that have made it difficult to truly enjoy our time here.
While we understand the importance of discipline and high standards, it often feels like there is little room for creativity, joy, or even failure in the learning process. Many of us came to this school because we love theatre—not just as an academic pursuit but as an art form that thrives on collaboration, play, and exploration. However, the environment has felt more rigid than inspiring, and that’s been discouraging. Instead of feeling motivated, some of us find ourselves anxious, overwhelmed, or even questioning our love for the very thing that brought us here in the first place.
Additionally, I think it’s important to acknowledge that this is a liberal arts theatre program, not a BFA or conservatory. We want to be challenged, but the level of intensity and pressure often feels more appropriate for a conservatory than for a BA program. For many students, this approach is making theatre feel inaccessible rather than inviting.
To provide some concrete examples:
Excessive Criticism in Rehearsals – Students have shared that receiving harsh, public critiques during rehearsals has been discouraging rather than constructive. Pushing students to improve is important, but the feedback that feels more like tearing down than building up has left many feeling disheartened rather than motivated.
Unrealistic Expectations for Course Workloads – Assigning readings, analyses, and rehearsals that demand the same level of commitment as a full-time conservatory program makes it difficult for students to balance other coursework, jobs, or extracurricular commitments. Many students feel that the expectations are more intense than what is reasonable for a BA program.
Overly Harsh Casting Decisions – While we understand that not everyone can get their first-choice roles, the selection process sometimes feels unnecessarily rigid, with limited opportunities for students to explore different types of roles. Some have expressed feeling that the same few students are given opportunities, while others are overlooked without clear justification.
Intimidation in Class Discussions – Several students have felt uncomfortable sharing their thoughts in class due to fear of being shut down or criticized too harshly. Theatre should be a space for open dialogue, risk-taking, and exploration, and it’s difficult to do that when students feel nervous about speaking up.
Little Room for Mistakes and Growth – Theatre is a learning process, but the current environment often makes students feel like they must already be at a professional level or risk embarrassment. We need space to experiment, make mistakes, and grow without feeling like every misstep is a failure.
I know that finding a balance between rigor and enjoyment is not easy, but I believe that balance is key to a truly great theatre education. We want to be pushed artistically, but we also want to be in a program where we feel safe to take risks, to experiment, and, most importantly, to still love what we do.
I’d love to discuss ways we can foster a more positive and enriching environment for students in the program. I know that at the heart of everything, we all share a deep passion for theatre, and I believe that together we can make this program one that cultivates both artistic excellence and joy.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I’d love the opportunity to continue this conversation when you’re available.