Eastern Mennonite University

What you'll study

The Drama major at Eastern Mennonite University balances hands-on studio work with academic study. Core areas include acting, voice and movement; script analysis and dramatic literature; directing and ensemble practice; technical theatre and design (scenic, lighting and costume); and playwriting. Students typically progress from foundation courses in performance technique and stagecraft to intermediate and advanced seminars and practicum experiences.

• Foundation studios: Acting Fundamentals, Voice and Speech, Movement for the Actor, Stagecraft and Scene Shop.
• Text and theory: Dramatic Literature and Script Analysis, Theatre History, Contemporary Dramatic Forms.
• Production and design: Scenic, Lighting and Costume Design, Sound for Theatre, Props and Scenery Construction.
• Directing and creation: Directing Practicum, Devising Theatre, Playwriting and Adaptation.
• Practical experience: Participation in departmental productions, student-run ensembles, technical crews and front-of-house management; a senior capstone project or portfolio is usually required.
• Interdisciplinary and community engagement: Courses or projects that connect theatre with peacebuilding, social justice and community-based performance—reflecting the university’s emphasis on civic engagement.

Students are encouraged to combine the major with minors or concentrations (for example in education, communications, or a design discipline), and to take advantage of internships with local theatres and touring opportunities. Regular public productions provide performance and technical credits across the programme.

Entry requirements

Applicants should present a strong secondary-school record and demonstrate interest and potential in theatre. Typical admissions elements include a completed undergraduate application, official transcripts and at least one academic reference. Prospective performance majors are usually asked to audition; applicants for design or production pathways may submit a portfolio or attend an interview with faculty. International applicants must meet the university’s English-language proficiency expectations.

Admissions staff and the theatre faculty consider the whole applicant: academic preparedness, creative commitment, extracurricular theatre experience and the applicant’s fit with EMU’s collaborative, community-oriented approach. Specific audition or portfolio requirements are available from the department and may include prepared monologues, a résumé, a brief design or technical sample and a possible callback.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Drama programme move into a range of theatre- and arts-related roles as well as fields that value communication, collaboration and creative problem-solving. Common career paths include professional acting, directing, stage management, technical and production roles (scenic, lighting, sound, costume), dramaturgy and playwriting. Other graduates pursue arts administration, community and educational theatre, teaching at pre-college levels (with appropriate certification), and roles in event production, multimedia storytelling or nonprofit leadership.

The programme’s emphasis on ensemble work, practicum experience and community engagement also prepares students for related careers in public speaking, programme coordination, outreach and advocacy where creative facilitation and teamwork are important.

Why study at Eastern Mennonite University

EMU offers a small, student-centred theatre environment where faculty mentors work closely with students across productions and independent projects. The programme’s liberal-arts context encourages cross-disciplinary study—especially connections between theatre, peacebuilding and social justice—which is attractive for students interested in theatre as a platform for civic engagement.

Students benefit from frequent production opportunities, access to hands-on technical training in on-campus facilities, and close ties to the regional arts community around Harrisonburg, Virginia. The department emphasises ethical collaboration, ensemble-making and experiential learning, making it a good fit for students who want practical theatre skills alongside reflective, community-minded practice.