Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
Bachelor of ArtsRoanoke College
The Roanoke College Theatre program gives students a well-balanced education in the art of theatre. Students take courses in each of the three disciplinary areas: Performance, Production and Design, and History and Literature in order to have a better understanding of all aspects of theatre, regardless of specialty or focus. Theatre Roanoke College presents three mainstage productions a year.
Outcomes
1: Analysis and Interpretation. Students will be able to contextualize theatre concepts within cultural and historical frameworks, including effective demonstration of analysis and interpretation of plays across the discipline. 2: Collaboration. Students will be able to effectively execute and realize appropriate production methods in both performance and production and design courses, including effective demonstration of collaboration. 3: Realization of Production Skills. Students will be able to effectively execute and realize appropriate production methods in both performance and production and design courses, including effective demonstration of production skills. 4: Methodology and Skills in Discipline Areas. Students will be able to apply appropriate disciplinary concepts, methodology, and skills in performance, production and design, history and literature. 5: Contextualization of History and Literature. Students will be able to contextualize theatre concepts within cultural and historical frameworks, including the contextualization of history and literature within a historical and culture framework. Knowledge of plays historically and as literature (reading/writing/context).
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | Do you like putting on a show? Not just acting but creating a set, designing the lighting, handling the sound, making the costumes? What about directing or writing plays? Are you a people person who enjoys collaboration? Are you interested in plays as great literature? Do you want to bring your love of theatre to others? Do you want to give people the pleasure and excitement of live drama, comedy, and so much more? |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Useful courses for transfer credit: stagecraft, acting, fundamentals of theater, theater history. Transferring some foreign language courses will help students finish that college requirement faster.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | RC theatre majors are attractive prospects in non-theatre fields due to their training in storytelling (imagination, communication, creativity) & mounting on a production (collaboration, leadership, dependability, discipline). |
Program Successes & Highlights | Graduates have gone onto graduate school in acting, directing, and design, but have also moved easily into the corporate world, entrepreneurial endeavors, law, media & communications, etc. |
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Roanoke College and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Courses completed as part of an associate's degree or general education certificate will be evaluated by our Registrar at admission, and appropriate transfer credits will be awarded. Nearly all general education requirements can be completed with transfer credits. Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university taken as dual enrollment while in high school will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. Up to three additional World Language courses can satisfy the language requirement. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer. |
Credit for Prior Learning | In general, Roanoke does not offer credit for prior learning outside of higher education coursework. Military training transcripted by an accredited institution of higher education is accepted. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Roanoke has about 2000 students, mostly undergraduates. Classes are small, averaging 17 students, with a real commitment to teaching and supporting students. Expect close personal interactions with faculty and staff members who get to know you. Active athletic and recreational opportunities are part of the college as are a wide range of student clubs and activities. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. VCCS transfer students may choose a catalog from the two years prior to their first term of attendance if desired. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year for freshmen is determined by first semester of attendance. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Expected transfer students should notify the admissions office as soon as possible, so we can provide advice on courses which will transfer. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Averett University | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Theatre: Musical (BFA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Theatre: Performance (BFA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Theatre (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Regent University | BFA in Acting | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Hollins University | BA in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre, Technical Theatre Specialization | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Dance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Musical Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BA in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BS in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Theater | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Mary Baldwin University | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
George Mason University | Theater, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Theater, BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
William & Mary | Theatre - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Theatre/Dance-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Theatre Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in Communication Arts - Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BS in Communication Arts - Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: Acting Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: Directing Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: Design and Technology Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Costume Design/Technical Production, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Lighting Design/Technical Production, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Performance, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Performance/Musical Theatre, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Scene Design/Technical Production, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Stage Management/Technical Production, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Theatre: Directing and Stage Mgmt (BFA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Theatre (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Theatre: Production and Design (BFA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Regent University | B.A. in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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27-2011.00 | Actors | Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-2099.00 | Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | All entertainers and performers, sports and related workers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-2012.03 | Media Programming Directors | Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-2012.05 | Media Technical Directors/Managers | Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-2012.00 | Producers and Directors | Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-2012.04 | Talent Directors | Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
Cost To Complete
