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.
One Night on Broadway
VIP: $250; reserved seating, champagne celebration w/performers on stage, event & program acknowledgement
General Admission: $125; seating + reception and hors d’oeuvres
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

Curtis Craig
Head, Sound Design
Curtis Craig (Sound Designer, Composer, Projection Designer) Recent work: Pipeline (Cleveland Playhouse, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Detroit Public Theatre), Indecent (Denver Center Theatre Company), world premier – Dominique Morriseau’s Mud Row (People’s Light & Theatre Company), world premier – The Great Leap (Denver Center Theatre Company, Seattle Rep), The Bacchae (Classical Theatre of Harlem), How to Catch Creation (Baltimore Center Stage, Philadelphia Theatre Company). In 2017, his sound design and composition from the Denver Center production of All The Way was awarded the Silver Medal in Sound Design at the World Stage Design exposition in Taipei, Taiwan. He previously won the Gold Medal in Sound Design for Pentecost in 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. His work can be heard at www.curtiscraig.com.

News from A&A
Alumni Spotlight: Faren Collins ('08 BFA Musical Theatre)
Faren Collins, a native of Georgia, knew that she wanted to study musical theatre and was drawn to the Penn State School of Theatre’s conservatory-type program because of the large