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You want to perform!

It’s in our blood too! We dance. We act. We compose and practice and play. It’s about connecting with an audience, and setting the stage. The College of Arts and Architecture’s majors, minors, and graduate programs will prepare you to succeed in the limelight.

Undergraduate
Degrees

Theatre students performing a scene from Argonautica.

B.F.A. in Acting

The B.F.A. in Acting degree program trains the next generation of stars using a holistic educational approach that prepares performers for success on every stage.
ADRI Jenny Kenyon

B.A. in Integrative Arts

The B.A. in Integrative Arts offers the unique opportunity for students to work successfully as innovative and dynamic artists, designers, and performers in an increasingly interdisciplinary world.
School of Music Mosaic performance.

B.A. in Music

The B.A. in Music fosters musical creativity and skill while immersing students in a diverse educational experience that informs artistic growth and explores the profound importance of music.
School of Music recital hall center stage.

B.M. in Music

The B.M. in Music prepares students for a professional career as a performer or composer by offering specialized training designed to develop musicianship and celebrate creativity.
School of Music student playing the marimba.

B.M.A. in Musical Arts

The B.M.A. in Musical Arts explores each student’s passion for music while offering endless cross-disciplinary opportunities to create a unique degree that prepares graduates for a professional career.
School of Music student teacher helping elementary students during rehearsal.

B.M.E. in Music Education

The B.M.E. in Music Education equips students with the tools to become music educators that profoundly impact the lives of elementary and secondary school children.
Musical Theatre students performing the halftime show at Beaver Stadium.

B.F.A. in Musical Theatre

The B.F.A. in Musical Theatre is a revered and intensive professional training program that prepares students to step into the spotlight on Broadway and beyond.
A discussion with students

B.A. in Theatre

The B.A. in Theatre inspires the next generation of theatre professionals to shape the future of the industry after experiencing an impactful education supported by endless artistic outlets.
School of Theatre dress rehearsal of Argonautica.

B.F.A. in Theatre

With options in Stage Management and Theatre Design and Technology, the B.F.A. in Theatre trains the behind-the-scenes theatre professionals to produce a transformative theatrical experience by artistically engaging modern technology and skills.

Undergraduate
Minors + Certificates

A student presents her 3d model figurine concept to a panel of judges during the Arts Business Ideas Competition. Mimicking the look of her 3d model, she wears a pink ponytail wig and vibrant outfit.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor

Become a leader in the arts or design. Engage in a start-up venture. Leverage your art or craft. Create alliances. Meet social or business needs. Craft ideas and make art work.
Hundreds of red lanterns overhead in the Doseonsa temple in Seoul, South Korea.

International Arts Minor

Expand your perspective. Become a well-traveled citizen of the world. A minor in International Arts will provide a deeper understanding of how art and design permeate cultures around the world.
Music students in class singing in front of microphones.

Music Technology Minor

The Music Tech minor opens the study of musical acoustics, digital audio, sound design, and audio recording. You will apply domains of knowledge from your majors to the fields of audio production and digital technology.
School of Music vocalists performing on stage during the Mardi Gras Jazz Concert at the Recital Hall.

Music Studies Minor

Blend music theory, composition, or performance studies with your major. The Music Studies minor can refine and balance coursework and studies across varied majors.
Penn State School of Music MOSAIC vocal performance in Eisenhower Auditorium.

Music Performance Minor

A minor in Music Performance lays the foundation for you to integrate your love and knowledge of music into any career path.
Stage crew students adjusting sound and lighting for the production rehearsal of Violet, located in the Playhouse Theatre at Penn State University Park campus.

Theatre Minor

The Theatre minor is designed for personal enrichment or to enhance study particularly for students in the humanities, communication, and the arts.

Graduate
Degrees

School of Music choir performance.

M.A. in Music (+IUGs)

The M.A. in Music offers three curricular tracks – Musicology, Music Theory, or Music Theory and History – as well as integrated undergrad/grad options.
School of Music orchestra performance showcasing a violinist..

M.Mus. in Music

The Master of Music program prepares students for professional careers as performers or composers, or for doctoral study. The program is both rewarding and rigorous, with internationally known faculty providing...
Graduate student conducting a performance.

M.M.E. in Music Education

The M.M.E. program is designed to provide candidates with (1) a deeper level of musical skill and understanding, (2) an increased knowledge and skill in the pedagogy of music teaching,...
A music education Ph.D. student teaching in front of a group of musicians with instruments.

Ph.D. in Music Education

The Music Ed Ph.D. program, which offers advanced study of teaching and learning music from a research-based perspective, is aimed at individuals careers in higher ed and music administration.
School of Music piano soloist performance.

D.M.A. in Musical Arts

This program is for individuals interested in continuing their studies in piano performance and music theory, history, and analysis in order to teach at the university level. Degree requirements include...
Scenic design from the play Argonautica.

M.F.A. in Theatre

The M.F.A in Theatre program is one of the most unique and well-respected theatre education programs in the country that consistently exists as a conduit to Broadway and beyond. Collaboration...

Alumni Spotlight

Alex Meixner playing an accordion, posing against a blue sky background

Alumni Spotlight

Alex Meixner

M.Mus. in Music 2001

Meixner is a nationally acclaimed musician, performer, bandleader, educator, and a leading advocate of polka music. Formally trained in classical, jazz, and ethnic music, he has cross-pollinated his versatile playing styles through pop music, funk, jazz, and polka. Photos: Chris Spiegel and Michael G. Stewart.

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Alex Meixner playing an accordion
Alex Meixner enthusiastically playing an accordion over his head

Venues Galore

World-class performance venues. Classic theatres. Practice and performance spaces. They are here!
See All Venues Galore
Pavillion Theatre stage crew assembling equipment on the floor for the production of the play Grand Hotel.
Pavillion Theatre stage crew assembling equipment on the floor for the production of the play Grand Hotel.

Eisenhower Auditorium

Eisenhower Auditorium, with a seating capacity of 2,500, is Penn State’s primary theatrical performance space. Opened in 1974 and later named for former University


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Pavillion Theatre stage crew assembling equipment on the floor for the production of the play Grand Hotel.

Pavilion Theatre

The Pavilion Theatre, built in 1915, is a key venue for the Penn State School of Theatre. Designed by architects Frank Miles Day and Charles


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Pavillion Theatre stage crew assembling equipment on the floor for the production of the play Grand Hotel.

Penn State Downtown Theatre

Finished in 2003, the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center is an intimate 152-seat theatre in the heart of downtown State College. The Penn State


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Pavillion Theatre stage crew assembling equipment on the floor for the production of the play Grand Hotel.

Playhouse Theatre

The Playhouse Theatre is a 383-seat proscenium-thrust theatre equipped with a dual level, moveable pit, full fly space, and advanced lighting and sound control


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Pavillion Theatre stage crew assembling equipment on the floor for the production of the play Grand Hotel.

Recital Hall

Located on the first floor of the Music Building, this 400-seat auditorium is the primary performance space for the School of Music’s solo and


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A scene from the musical A Lucky Boy. A female and male character is dancing together and he dips her looking intently into her eyes.
School of Music students playing their saxophones on stage during the Mardi Gras Jazz Concert at the Recital Hall.
A scene from the production of Angels in America where two actors are sitting on a city park bench talking and holding hands. Performed in the Playhouse Theatre at the University Park campus.
A student from the School of Music Ed program, helping an elementary student with her clarinet.
A female actress dressed in a beautiful red dress with gold trim stands center stage singing a musical number from the production of Kiss Me Kate.
School of Music students dressed in tuxedos are playing their violins during a Mosaic performance.
A scene from the production of To Kill A Mockingbird where a female and male actor are on a balcony. Performed in the Playhouse Theatre at the University Park campus.
School of Music student playing his trombone on stage during the Mardi Gras Jazz Concert at the Recital Hall.
A scene from the production of A Year With Frog and Toad where actors in bright-colored costumes are performing a musical number. Performed in the Playhouse Theatre at the University Park campus.
School of Music students playing their clarinets during a music rehearsal.

In the spotlight...

With more than 400 performances per year, A&A students have a wealth of opportunities to shine.

Faculty Spotlight

Current and former students meeting together in the Penn State Theatre Convergence Lab.
Current and former students meeting together in the Penn State Theatre Convergence Lab.
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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.

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Curtis Craig working at sound board.
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Jun 19 - 21

"Juneteenth: A Fierce Urgency Celebration!"

Virtual
Juneteenth: A Fierce Urgency Celebration! Hosted by Michael Mwenso Featuring performances, reflections, and contributions from Black artists and Penn State faculty Produced by Electric Root

Events

Go. Explore.
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Meeting the Moment with Michael Mwenso and Sita Frederick

Virtual
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Jun 23 - 30

Meeting the Momentwith Michael Mwensoand guest Sita Frederick Watch the event beginning at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 23. It will be available for streaming until


DMA Solo Recital: I-Lin Tsai, piano

Music I 121 Esber Rehearsal Hall
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Jun 29


DMA Chamber Recital: Junwen Liang, piano

Youtube Live
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Jul 13

Available Online: School of Music Media


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News from A&A

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Director Sita Frederick shares passion for belonging in ‘Meeting the Moment’ June 23–30
Center for the Performing Arts Director Sita Frederick will discuss her raison d’etre in a special episode of “Meeting the Moment with Michael Mwenso,” from June 23–30.

Center for the Performing Arts Director Sita Frederick will discuss her raison d’etre in a special episode of “Meeting the Moment with Michael Mwenso.” The free prerecorded discussion starts at


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Artists, Penn State faculty to participate in virtual Juneteenth celebration
The Center for the Performing Arts will present the free virtual presentation “Juneteenth: A Fierce Urgency Celebration!,” starting at 7:30 p.m. June 19.
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Real talk with Sita Frederick: Director of Center for the Performing Arts faces ‘wonderful challenges’
The new director shared insight into what she expects in her first year, how to engage new and returning audiences, and the “elephant in the room” of central Pennsylvania.
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