School of Theatre

Gain the skills, experience, and professional know-how to pursue careers in the demanding world of the stage.

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.

Contact

School of Theatre
116 Theatre Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7586
814-865-5754 (fax)

Kikora Franklin
Director, School of Theatre

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Other Contacts

General Inquiries: theatre@psu.edu, (814) 865-7586
Tickets: (814) 863-0255
Publicity Contact: Cheri Sinclair
Assoc. Director of Academics: Dan Robinson
Theatre Admissions Coordinator: Shannon Ritter

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 by emerging masters. New this season: opening night pre-show reception and designer discussions. Reception and show tickets are on sale now.

Penn State Centre Stage 2025-2026 Season!

Sneak Preview
Rhinoceros
Crazy for You
Antigone
The Morris & Essex Line
Our Town
Detroit '67
My Fair Lady

Learn More

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Degree Offerings

Theatre students performing a scene from Argonautica.

B.F.A. in Acting

Musical Theatre students performing the halftime show at Beaver Stadium.

B.F.A. in Musical Theatre

Photo of a female presenting student on a dark background

B.A. in Theatre

School of Theatre dress rehearsal of Argonautica.

B.F.A. in Theatre

Scenic design from the play Argonautica.

M.F.A. in Theatre

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

alumni spotlight

Andrew Giffin

Inter-College Bachelor of Philosophy 2005

“Penn State embraced my vision for a cross-disciplinary education that combined electrical engineering with theatre and stage lighting.”

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.

www.gifld.com

Studios, Labs and Venues

Production studio spaces, a design and lighting lab, and venues that support student, faculty, and professional performances.

Pavilion Theatre

Penn State Downtown Theatre

Penn State’s School of Theatre production of American Idiot, the musical inspired by Green Day’s seventh album of the same name, at the Playhouse Theatre.

Playhouse Theatre

Microphones in the foreground, with instruments and recording equipment in the Penn State ROARS studio.

ROARS Recording Studios

Students adding a cylindrical top to a prop they created out of styrofoam.

Theatre Arts Production Studio (TAPS)

Students present their final projects for William Kenyon's Lighting Design course.

Theatre Lighting Lab

See all our Faculty

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