University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The programme offers a balanced mix of practical studio courses and academic study. Core areas typically include acting technique, voice and movement, scene study, improvisation, directing, stagecraft, scenic design, lighting and sound, costume design, and theatre history. Students engage with dramatic literature from classical to contemporary and explore theatre-making in cultural contexts, including Pacific and Asian performance traditions.

Structure usually combines foundational lower-division studio and survey courses with upper-division specialised electives, practicum requirements and a capstone project or senior performance. Regular department productions provide opportunities to apply skills in acting, crew, design and stage management. Workshops, directed projects and collaboration with related disciplines such as film, dance, music and Native Hawaiian studies are common.

Entry requirements

Typical entry expectations include a recognised secondary school qualification and evidence of interest in theatre through experience, portfolios or references. Many applicants are invited to audition or submit a recorded performance for assessment; others may submit design portfolios or technical résumés if applying with a design/technology focus. Admissions also consider academic preparation, particularly coursework in English, literature and performing arts.

For transfer applicants, colleges commonly expect a record of college coursework in relevant arts subjects. International applicants must meet the university's general English language proficiency requirements. Prospective students should consult the department for precise audition guidelines and recommended preparatory activities.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a wide range of careers across the creative and cultural sectors. Common pathways include professional acting and directing, stage and production management, lighting and sound design, set and costume design, dramaturgy, casting, arts administration, education and community arts programming. Skills developed—such as collaboration, communication, project management and creative problem‑solving—also transfer to roles in film and television production, event management, public relations and cultural tourism.

Many students build experience through internships, regional theatre companies, local production houses and community organisations. Others continue to graduate study in theatre, performance studies, education or related creative disciplines.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Hawaii at Manoa’s theatre programme is located in a culturally rich Pacific environment that shapes a distinctive approach to performance, emphasising cross‑cultural exchange and Indigenous and Asian‑Pacific perspectives. Students benefit from on‑campus performance venues and production facilities, hands‑on access to scene shops, costume studios and lighting labs, and regular departmental productions that form a core part of training.

The department fosters close faculty mentorship, opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across the arts and humanities, and connections with Honolulu’s professional arts organisations. For students wishing to combine dramatic practice with regional cultural studies and community engagement, the Mānoa campus offers unique local and international learning experiences without sacrificing conservatory‑style studio training.