Ohio University School of Theater productions, guest artists, events, and news.
The mission of the School of Theater is consistent with its identity as a professionally oriented school within a College of Fine Arts context. We provide rigorous training and the highest quality education for our students so that, upon graduation, they have the skills and knowledge necessary for successful entry into the profession. All programs and curricula follow specific benchmarks and provide strong advising to ensure our students progress on track during their residency at OHIO.
The mission of our MFA and BFA programs is to prepare artists and craftsmen to succeed in the professional theater and film markets, or in related areas of the entertainment business. The mission of our MA program is to prepare scholars for work or further study in the academic market, or to work in the professional theater as dramaturgs. The BA degree program establishes theater training within the broader educational parameters of the College of Arts and Sciences. The Honors Tutorial program provides intensive one-on-one study in a select or diverse area of theater. Our programs combine academic and cross-cultural studies with professional market placement in the United States and abroad.
Our educational objective is to train individuals who can contribute to their profession and the culture as a whole. The programs combine a foundation in professional craft methodologies with high performance standards that reflect the best in professional practices. We challenge students to think in imaginative and unconventional forms and lead students into an active exploration of different approaches to dramatic art. We believe our students need to understand not only the standards of their field, but also the moral, social, political, and personal impact of their work.
To facilitate our training mission and objectives our programs emphasize flexibility, collaboration, community, curiosity, imagination, cross-cultural perspectives, and respect for the art of theater and one another. We provide a collaborative training environment in classes and productions that allows for full interdisciplinary interaction between actors, playwrights, directors, designers, stage managers, and technologists at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, production opportunities that model staffing, development, and performance standards on regional theater and off-Broadway guidelines, training opportunities that will help students develop resumes and the materials needed for professional interviews (portfolios, audition material, a body of plays, etc.), professional outreach opportunities for students that include student employment opportunities with professional companies, national and international internship and exchange program opportunities, interaction with professional guest artists, faculty and staff members who continue to work in the professional theater and film markets, academic and professional career counseling.
