The Theatre BA/Arts Management MA deliberately links critical artistic and management inquiry to create a dynamic investigation of theatre, its production, and theatre arts environments. The positioning of students between management and artistic practice/discourse creates a divergent perspective designed to give students the versatility to enter, and then grow in the field, as an artist, a manager, and an artist/manager. 

Students start the program studying in a broad range of core theatrical disciplines covering the artistic, literary, historical, and technical aspects of theatre and performance. This broad exposure positions students to define specific areas of interest including acting, directing, dramaturgy, stage management, or theatre studies.

Their study of artistic practice then segues into questions of management and the arts, focusing on the increasingly complex cultural, socioeconomic, legal, and political systems that challenge sustainable arts environments. Students take courses in business and law; cultural theory as a foundation to understand changes in local, national, and international art landscapes; and finish with hands-on, experiential practice with existing arts entities and institutions.

When finished, graduates have developed not only skills in theatre practice, but have accumulated highly sought after skills in writing, technology, presentation, and critical thinking vital to professional success in the 21st century. They emerge ready for a multi-faceted career in theatre environments.

Prospective Theatre BA students must apply and be accepted to the university.  No audition or interview is required for admission.  All entering first-year students with an interest in the Theatre BA will be listed as "approved" majors.  Additionally, currently enrolled and accepted transfer students with an overall GPA of 2.500 in order to matriculate to programs in the Department of Theatre & Dance.

To matriculate into the MA portion of the degree program, students will be required to have a 3.0 overall GPA and complete the requisite application materials for review by the graduate application committee (online application, academic essay, resume, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation).

Students may apply for the BA/MA program starting in their 5th semester (typically Fall of their Junior year). If approved, the student will be allowed to take graduate courses as early as their 6th semester and be granted conditional admission into the MA. At the end of the student’s 7th semester, faculty will evaluate student progress in graduate coursework and determine whether the student will be allowed to continue in the graduate program.

Interested students are encouraged to contact the Department of Theatre and Dance or the Arts Management Program as early as possible to discuss curriculum and progress toward degree.

Visit the UB Course Catalog for more information, but don't hesitate to ask us your questions!