La Roche University

What you'll study

The programme balances performance, production and academic study. Core areas include acting technique, voice and movement, script analysis, theatre history and dramatic literature. Technical and production courses cover stagecraft, lighting and sound design, scenic and costume design, stage management and theatre technology.

Students also study directing, playwriting and dramaturgy, and take classes in theatre pedagogy and arts administration to prepare for a range of career paths. The curriculum typically features:

• Acting — scene study, improvisation, audition technique and character work.
• Voice and Movement — vocal technique, speech for actors and physical theatre.
• Production/Technical Theatre — set construction, lighting, sound, props and stage management.
• Directing and Playwrighting — fundamentals of directing, text interpretation and writing for the stage.
• Theatre History and Literature — surveys of dramatic literature from classical to contemporary theatre.
• Professional practicum — ensemble productions, lab theatre work, internships and practicum placements with local companies.
• Capstone project — senior project that may be a directed production, full design portfolio or research dissertation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a high-school diploma or equivalent. Admission typically requires:

• A completed application to La Roche University and submission of high-school transcripts.
• An audition or interview demonstrating performance potential; specific audition materials and monologue choices are provided by the department.
• Letters of recommendation and a personal statement outlining theatrical experience and goals.
• Standardised tests may be optional depending on the institution's current admissions policy; check with admissions for current guidance.
• International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements as set by the university (for example, recognised test scores or equivalent evidence of proficiency).

Career prospects

Graduates go on to careers across professional and community theatre, education and the creative industries. Common roles include actor, director, stage manager, dramaturg, lighting or set designer, and theatre technician. The programme also prepares students for work in arts administration, community arts organisations, production management, and teaching in schools or community programmes.

Many students choose to pursue advanced study such as an MFA in acting, directing or design, or combine theatre training with graduate study in related fields like arts management or education. Practical experience through campus productions and internships with Pittsburgh theatres helps students build professional networks and portfolios.

Why study at La Roche University

La Roche offers a small, values-centred liberal arts environment where theatre students benefit from faculty mentorship and frequent performance opportunities. The department emphasises hands-on learning through regular season productions, lab theatre projects and collaborative design work, enabling students to build practical skills as well as critical understanding.

Proximity to the Pittsburgh theatre community provides internship and partnership possibilities with regional companies, while the university's focus on ethical leadership and community engagement encourages graduates to apply their creative skills in education, outreach and service. Small class sizes and personalised advising support student development from first-year foundations through to the senior capstone.