Department of Fine and Performing Arts
Theatre Arts (B.S.)
Art Vidrine, Dept. of Fine & Performing Arts Chairperson
avidrine@bowiestate.edu
301-860-4540
Tracy Barwick, Administrative Assistant
301-860-3752
tbarwick@bowiestate.edu
Earn Your Degree at Bowie State University
From acting and directing, to lighting and scenic design, you’ll gain exposure in all aspects of theatre through Bowie State University’s Theatre Arts program. Housed in our state-of-the-art Fine and Performing Arts Center, you’ll have ample space to refine your performance and production skills in plays, musicals and dance. Additionally, the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore metro areas are prime locations for you to gain real-life industry experience in local professional theatre.
Why a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Arts at Bowie State University?
In the Bowie State Theatre Arts program, you'll develop as a multi-hyphenate artist: performer, director, designer and playwright, through hands-on leadership from day one, culminating in a capstone of creative work. Grounded in Theatre for Social Justice, the program centers global majority artists and prepares you to spark civic action and change.
You'll learn through a holistic wellness lens with yoga and silk aerials, create original work through the Incubator program, and teach youth through WONDERWORKS. Our faculty, who actively work on professional stages across the country in theater and dance, can connect you directly to the industry through regional partnerships, MasterClass workshops and award-winning productions.
- General Education: 46 credits
- Theatre Arts Core Courses: 36 credits
- Acting-Directing Concentration: 38 credits
Program Milestones
You must also complete:
- Senior Portfolio: evaluated at 60 credits and again at the capstone seminar; must pass to graduate
- Capstone Seminar
- Performance and Technical Crew Practicum: minimum of 240 hours
Additional Requirements
In addition to the requirements above, you must:
- Earn a minimum grade of "C" in all theatre and dance courses; courses below a "C" must be repeated.
- Each semester:
- Fulfill all performance and crew assignments, unless an exemption was approved in advance (e.g., poor grades, lengthy illness, emergency).
- Participate in all BSU Theatre auditions.
- Each year:
- Attend at least four professional productions and two professional development events.
- Attend departmental and outside events in visual art, music, and dance. Evidence of attendance or participation must be included in your portfolio.
Start Your Career Here
Build Your Career Skills
Each year, you have opportunities to travel to regional or national conferences, including the Southeastern Theatre Conference and American College Theatre Festival, to build skills in auditioning, portfolio presentation, design pitches, new play development, and stage and production management.
Through faculty-led theatre initiatives like WonderWorks, you can visit local elementary schools to teach creative drama and help children build life skills through artistic expression.
Get an Internship
After enrolling, take advantage of Bowie State University's many opportunities and get familiar with Handshake. Handshake is an online platform for Bowie State students that allows thousands of employers to post internships and job openings. Use this tool to search for an internship while you study or to jump-start your career after you graduate.
Career Outlook
Theatre is a versatile field with opportunities on stage, backstage and beyond. Bowie State University Theatre Arts alumni currently work as:
- Freelance designers (costume, set and lighting)
- Theatre technicians
- Stage and production managers
- Casting directors
- Freelance directors
- Freelance dancers and choreographers
- High school and middle school theatre and dance educators
- Teaching artists
- Theatre producers
- Development associates and grant writers
- Marketing associates
Our Theatre Arts alumni continue to shape the theater and performing arts industry. Two Bowie State University graduates are Helen Hayes Award winners, multiple work as freelance actors and designers, and one recent alumna currently serves as Connectivity Director at 1st Stage, a union theatre house in Tysons, Va.
Through the Theatre Arts program, you will gain skills in performance, design, stage management and arts leadership that prepare you for careers across professional, educational, and community theatre, as well as adjacent fields like arts administration, marketing and development.
Meet Faculty and Staff
Get to know the expert faculty and staff who will be instructing you throughout your time at Bowie State. Build connections, ask for mentorship and receive guidance as you prepare to embark on your career.
Scholarships
Once you enroll at Bowie State University, you will automatically receive a list of scholarships you qualify for, based on the SAT/ACT scores and GPA provided on your admission application. Review each scholarship’s requirements and apply to as many as possible. You can also apply for private donor, departmental and external partner scholarships.
Get Involved with Bowie State
Clubs and Organizations
No matter your interests, you'll find a student organization at Bowie State University that's right for you. You can get involved with Executive Producers, the department's student-led organization, and showcase your talent at Urbanz, a semesterly open mic and talent showcase hosted in partnership with BSU Expressions.
Beyond campus, the Theatre Washington Mentorship Cohort connects students with working professionals across the Washington, D.C. theatre scene. You are highly encouraged to use these opportunities to sharpen the skills you learn as you complete the Theatre Arts program.
Community Service
Gain a greater understanding of your roles in the community, as well as the impact of your contributions toward those in need. Connect with others who understand the importance of community service and build a network of friends, colleagues and team members. Together, we can make a positive impact.
