The best way to learn theatre is to make theatre. And there’s no better place to make theatre than in the heart of Boston’s Theater District. From directing, acting, and playwriting to stage management, lighting, and set design, Suffolk’s theatre program will give you a 360-degree view of theatre-making while providing opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to explore your artistic passions and specialize your skill set.
As a theatre major, you’ll join a supportive and inclusive community of artists that values originality and diverse perspectives. Under the mentorship of our award-winning faculty and staff, you’ll collaborate with your peers on up to fifteen different student productions each year, gaining invaluable hands-on experience that translates directly to professional theatre. Our students are highly sought after for internships and work opportunities with top Boston arts organizations, including Front Porch Arts Collective, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, American Repertory Theatre, and Actors’ Shakespeare Project.
As a theatre major, you will:
You won’t just study your major—you’ll experience it through hands-on learning opportunities.
Our core curriculum builds a foundation in the three elements needed to put on a successful show: design or stagecraft, acting, and stage management. From there, you can tailor your course load to fit your interests. We offer electives in a variety of disciplines, including ensemble singing, directing, advanced scene study, playwriting, lighting design, and historical contexts. A professional development seminar is also required as part of the core.
Additionally, you will be required to complete two production and two performance experiences, or practicums, within the department. Students typically fulfill this requirement by participating in our student-led Spotlight and Showcase events held throughout the academic year.
View the Theatre Major Curriculum
Deepen your creativity and expand your leadership skills through a minor in theatre. You’ll choose from courses in performance, musical theatre, directing, playwriting, technical theatre and design, stage management, and arts management, as well as participate in department productions.
View the Theatre Minor Curriculum
Theatre students complement their skills with courses, minors, and double majors in areas such as:
At Suffolk you’ll have dozens of chances to hone your craft. Whether you want to write and produce, perform center stage, or work in the wings, you’ll learn by doing what you love alongside fellow students, faculty, and professionals.
Opportunities include:
In the theatre department, faculty and staff provide extensive personal guidance and mentoring. We get to know each students’ strengths and challenges so we can provide individualized support to help you cultivate your artistic voice.
We also hire professional directors and designers to work with students on our main-stage productions and pair current students with alumni mentors to develop their own plays. Our students have also worked with outside professionals in intimacy coaching, directing, acting, fight choreography, and more. These opportunities model creative collaboration at its best.
We are deeply committed to building life-long relationships with alumni. Many participate in Juvenilia, our production initiative for recent graduates who work on our student and professional productions as designers, directors, and playwrights. Alumni also visit classes as guest speakers and stay in touch through special events and social media.
We leverage our prime location in Boston’s Theater District, as well as the diverse professional networks of our faculty and alums, to cultivate powerful partnerships that benefit our students’ development and future careers.
Guest speakers, visiting artists, and adjunct faculty bring professional insight into our classrooms and their talents as writers, directors, and designers into our theaters. We have also welcomed numerous prominent scholars and artists to our stages in collaboration with the Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University and academic programs throughout Suffolk to explore current issues in theater and society.
Our long-standing relationship with the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company lets students and alumni take fresh approaches to iconic plays on the Boston Common, while we bring numerous creative projects to life in our bustling neighborhood in partnership with the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District.
Working with organizations such as the Front Porch Arts Collective, a Black theatre company committed to advancing racial equity in Boston, and Latinx artist-led Teatro Chelsea also allows us to broaden our perspectives and bring more diverse stories to the stage.
We provide encouragement, guidance, and financial support for internships and other forms of professional engagement. Our dedicated internship coordinator will help you find the right fit. Recent internship placements include:
In our Professional Development class, you’ll work with theatre professionals to perfect your resume, prepare for auditions, and explore internship opportunities. We also bring in guests from various areas of the field to work with you on auditions, networking, and showcasing your talents on the job market.
The Career Center will help you explore career options, plan your path, and land your dream internship or job. You’ll find practical help, like how to write an effective resume or LinkedIn profile, along with valuable connections to leading employers and successful alumni. A specific career community for Humanities and the Arts provides events and information tailored just for our students.
Here's a sampling of recent graduates’ current job titles and employers.
Our students can be found completing graduate degrees at institutions such as Boston University, Pace University, Brown University, and Sarah Lawrence College.
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