The Best College Theatre Programs in Every State - 2021 Edition
Northwestern University
Here is a fact that many folks in education may not be telling you: There has never been a better time to major in the performing/theatrical arts than right now.
This stems from many reasons but the two most prominent are the quantity of content and attention on equity.
With more ways to consume entertainment than ever, the opportunities to work in the industry have increased dramatically. With the emergence of streaming networks that demand new content on almost a monthly basis and other methods of viewing content(i.e.. Youtube, TikTok), performing/theatrical artists have a multitude of different avenues to pursue. Beyond the performing realm, this is an exciting time for design and technology as new methods are being explored for both theatre and film which college students are being trained on which will give them an advantage entering the workforce after graduation.
The other reason why the timing couldn’t be better to consider these degrees is the newfound attention to equity and representation in these industries. From casting to hiring on other departments, there is great awareness to make sure casts and crews have a greater representation of gender, race, body type, etc. While we’re not living in a perfect world just yet, there has been some great progress made that gives college students today a better advantage of finding work than ever before.
So with that in mind, we here at OnStage Blog have always tried to provide as many resources as we can for prospective theatrical art students. It begins with finding college programs that are doing some amazing things and giving their students fantastic preparation for their various industries.
So, without further ado, here is our 2021 list for the best college theatre programs in every state in the U.S.
These lists were researched and compiled by a committee that consisted of students, educators, parents, and alums. All degrees within these programs were adjudicated including both performance, design & technology as well as direction, writing, and any other areas of training. Factors taken into consideration were quality of faculty, variety of curriculum, facilities, career support, performance opportunities, scholarships, among others.
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Alabama: The University Of Montevallo - Montevallo, AL
Alaska:
We initially had picked the University of Alaska at Anchorage. But sadly, they have announced their are cutting the program.
Arizona: University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ
Arkansas: Ouachita Baptist University - Arkadelphia, AR
California: USC School of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles, CA
Colorado: University of Northern Colorado - Greely, CO
Connecticut: University of Connecticut - Storrs, CT
Delaware:
There is not a single college in Delaware that offers a degree in theatre.