School of Theatre
Succeed around the globe
Award-winning faculty whose experience spans the world provide individualized instruction, giving students the extra edge they need to succeed. Preparation that extends beyond skills and experience – that’s what you’ll find in the School of Theatre.
The School of Theatre offers undergraduate and graduate degrees covering a range of areas, including Acting, Musical Theatre, Stage Management, Theatre Design and Technology, and Directing.
Learn more about our community commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Live theatre at Centre Stage
The School of Theatre houses Penn State Centre Stage (PSCS), the professional theatre training program in Central Pennsylvania. PSCS presents theatrical masterpieces and new gems – including a series of livestreamed virtual performances – by emerging masters.
Everybody
Opening Night: Feb. 17
Evenings: Feb. 18, 22, 23, 24, 25
Matinee: Feb. 25
Venue: Pavilion Theatre
Directed by Sebastian Trainor, Jeanmarie Higgins, Erik Raymond Johnson, Michele Dunleavy, David Kersnar, Jenny Lamb, and Steve Snyder
Degree
Offerings
Alumni Spotlight
Penn State embraced my vision for a cross-disciplinary education that combined electrical engineering with theatre and stage lighting.

Alumni Spotlight
Andrew Giffin
Inter-College Bachelor of Philosophy, 2005
Andrew Giffin – a Schreyer Scholar who earned a inter-college Bachelor of Philosophy incorporating studies in Theatre Design and Technology plus Electrical Engineering – is the associate lighting designer for the rock band, Phish, and is widely considered as the top lighting programmer in the industry. Andrew has designed and programmed light shows for musicians such as Pearl Jam, Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber in addition to his work on music award shows, theatre productions and sporting events.
Studios, Labs and Venues


Theatre Arts Production Studio (TAPS)

Pavilion Theatre

Penn State Downtown Theatre

Playhouse Theatre

Theatre Lighting Lab
Faculty Spotlight

Milagros Ponce de León
Associate Professor of Theatre
Milagros‘ areas of specialization include scenic design, 3D drafting, scene painting, and rendering for the theater. Recent design credits in the Washington DC area include scenic designs for Into the Woods, Jefferson’s Garden, and Ragtime at Ford’s Theatre; Life is a Dream at Gala Hispanic Theatre; and Matilda, In the Heights, and Sweeney Todd at Olney Theatre Centre. Additional credits include scenic designs for Ensemble Studio Theatre in NYC, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in NC; and Catalyst Theatre, Everyman Theatre, Imagination Stage, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Metro Stage, National Players, Opera Vivente, Roundhouse Theatre, Theatre Alliance, and Studio Theatre 2nd Stage in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area.
Milagros has received three Helen Hayes nominations for outstanding scenic design in the Washington, D.C. area. She is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local-829, an Associate Artist at Ford’s Theatre, and an Artistic Associate at Olney Theatre Center.

News from A&A
Creating the magic: Theatre alum shares her experience as a Disney Imagineer
Tiffany Anguiano (‘16 M.F.A. Theatre with emphasis in scenic design) is a show set designer for Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California. Anguiano spoke with the College of Arts and