Performing Arts
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
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.
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.
Bachelor of Arts in Music
The Bachelor of Arts 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.
Bachelor of Music
The Bachelor of Music prepares students for a professional career as a performer or composer by offering specialized training designed to develop musicianship and celebrate creativity.
Bachelor of Musical Arts
The Bachelor of 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.
Bachelor of Music Education
The Bachelor of Music Education equips students with the tools to become music educators that profoundly impact the lives of elementary and secondary school children.
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.
B.A. in Theatre
The B.A. in Theatre develops the cross-trained artist/scholar, with a focus on playwriting, performance devising, directing, and preparation for graduate study.
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
Master of Arts in Music (+Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Option)
The Master of Arts in Music offers three curricular tracks – Musicology, Music Theory, or Music Theory and History – as well as integrated undergrad/grad options.
Master of Music
Program Application Deadline Applications received and completed, including auditions and interviews, by February 15 will be given priority consideration for admission and graduate assistantship funding. To be assured full consideration,...
Master of Music Education
Program Application Deadline Applications received and completed, including auditions and interviews, by February 15 will be given priority consideration for admission and graduate assistantship funding. To be assured full consideration,...
Doctor of Philosophy 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.
Doctor of Musical Arts
Program Application Deadline Applications received and completed, including auditions and interviews, by February 15 will be given priority consideration for admission and graduate assistantship funding. To be assured full consideration,...
M.F.A. in Theatre
Program Application Deadline The deadline for applications for AY 2023–24 is January 15, 2023. To be assured full consideration, please apply by this deadline. Review individual program descriptions for details...
Alumni Spotlight
Penn State provided the specialized training required to succeed in my field in the “real world,” as well as a strong network of alumni to guide me once I got there.
Alumni Spotlight
Carolyn Quinn
B.F.A. in Theatre 2016Carolyn Quinn is an events professional based in New York City. She is currently a production coordinator at Sequence Events, a Global Top 50 Events Agency. Prior to Sequence, Carolyn spent time at Baseline Theatrical and in the general management office of Hamilton: An American Musical, as well as freelancing for high-profile corporate and non-profit events, new
theatrical works, and television and film, including working on the production team for the 71st Annual Tony Awards.
Venues Galore
World-class performance venues. Classic theatres. Practice and performance spaces. They are here!
See All Venues Galore
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 Learn More
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 Learn More
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 Learn More
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 Learn More
Recital Hall
Hailed as an acoustically superb design, the new Recital Hall has quickly distinguished itself as one of the centerpieces for the arts at University Learn More
In the spotlight...
With more than 400 performances per year, A&A students have a wealth of opportunities to shine.
Faculty Spotlight
John Simpkins
Head of Musical Theatre
John Simpkins is head of Musical Theatre and the Nagle Family Endowed Chair at Penn State. He is also a professional director who recently directed the world premiere of Tony-nominated Joe Iconis’ Love in Hate Nation, which was commissioned by Penn State Musical Theatre as part of its New Musicals Initiative.
His recent new musical credits include the World Premiere of Legendale (music by Andrea Daly, words by Jeff Bienstock) at Fredericia Teater in Denmark and the subsequent American Premiere at Human Race Theatre Company. Recent new plays include the World Premieres of Raging Skillet (by Jacques Lamarre) at Theaterworks Hartford, The Bus (by Jim Lantz) at 59E59 Theaters and For Better, For Worse (by Reed Arnold). Regionally, he has directed at Sacramento Music Circus, Lyric Theatre Oklahoma, North Carolina Theatre, the Engeman Theatre, and Sharon Playhouse (where he also served as Artistic Director).
Sep 29
Bach’s Lunch – School of Music Voice Area Noontime Concert Lyric Diction Class
Pasquerilla/Eisenhower ChapelLyric Diction Class Voice students present a program focusing on English and Italian diction skills developed in class. "Bach's Lunch" is a weekly Thursday afternoon
Events
Go. Explore.Bach’s Lunch – School of Music Voice Area Noontime Concert 3rd- & 4th-Year Voice Students
Pasquerilla/Eisenhower ChapelSymphonic Wind Ensemble
Music I 130 Recital HallNews from A&A
Opera ‘A Marvelous Order’ to make world premiere Oct. 20 in Eisenhower Auditorium
In conjunction with the opera's debut, the Palmer Museum of Art will host an exhibit featuring a collection of the director’s “blueprint” cyanotypes created with the event.
In conjunction, Palmer Museum presents an exhibit of works by opera’s director The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State will present the world premiere of the contemporary
Soul Science Lab artists to talk empowerment with free virtual film, Q&A Oct. 4
“Creating Make a Joyful Noize” is a short film that blends music, spoken-word interviews and dance to capture the visceral, contagious and unapologetic energy of Black joy. Read More
School of Music to host ‘Queer Voices in Hip Hop’ lecture
The School of Music's Diversity in 3D Series welcomes Lauron Kehrer, assistant professor of ethnomusicology and musicology in the School of Music at Western Michigan. Read More