The act of creating—of making something, such as a piece of music, a work of theater or a new dance—is a uniquely human endeavor in which all cultures engage.
The thrill of creating and performing is both intellectually and viscerally satisfying to the artist and the audience. Also, more than any other discipline, theater arts can enhance self-confidence, creative thinking and public-presentation skills. Emmanuel allows for every student, not only majors and minors, to actively engage in this exciting discipline that combines creativity, technique, historical awareness and insight into the human condition.
To bring a moment to life onstage, many hours of rehearsal, costume design, set construction and other behind-the-scenes work must take place. As a theater art student, you will gain an appreciation of theater history and of the various roles that bring works of theater from the script to the stage, applying your talents and training to the Theater Arts Department's productions.
Center Stage
What's happening in the Theater Arts Department? Stay up-to-date on events, performances and other news on the Theater Arts Instagram!
Meet the Faculty
Our distinguished faculty publish, exhibit and research. Present, compose and chair. Inspire and collaborate.
Along with areas of knowledge and major requirements, you will cultivate essential values in the classroom and complete two courses in each area:
- Social Justice (SJ): Develop knowledge, skills, values and motivation to participate beneficially in activities of personal and public concern.
- Diversity & Multiculturalism (DM): Understand the complexity of identity the historical truths of different cultural perspectives to address bias and examine contemporary social issues.
One hundred percent of Emmanuel students complete an internship as part of the core curriculum. In a city as dynamic as Boston, your options are bound only by the limits of your curiosity.
Boston and the surrounding region is home to a number of renowned and fringe theater and cultural organizations in which to gain experience on stage or behind the scenes, including the Actors’ Shakespeare Project, Boston Ballet, Broadway in Boston, Central Square Theater, Handel and Haydn Society, Lyric State Company, Shakespeare & Company, the Speakeasy Stage Company and more.
In all majors, the Capstone Experience involves completing a significant piece of work that requires the integration and application of learning from multiple courses.
Theater students are able to take part in a number of directed study opportunities from a student-directed production, playwriting, dramaturgy, individual performance, advanced technical projects, recital (voice or piano), topics in music theory, topics in musical analysis, music history, and composition. A main component is an accompanying paper in which you place the work being presented in historical and comparative contexts.
Humanities & Social Sciences Spotlight
