THEATRE
Bachelor of Arts
Jessup’s BA in Theatre is an immersive, pre‐professional training ground for theatre practitioners. The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre offers specializations in Acting, Musical Theatre, Theatre Design and Technology, and Theatre Management. From backstage to onstage, you will learn how to create theatre from concept to performance in a department valuing a hands-on, entrepreneurial approach to theatrical storytelling.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The mission of the BA in Theatre program is to produce students who are highly employable theatre artists, Christian leaders, entrepreneurs, and skilled craftsmen who are capable of vast, positive, influence in the arts, media, and entertainment. Jessup Theatre is a four‐year training ground preparing you to make a unique contribution to the art form. Join the program that patrons are calling “the most irresistible experience in theatre from Tahoe to San Francisco.
Program Specializations
Acting
Theatre Design and Technology
Theatre Management
Musical Theatre
Program Courses
- Major Courses (9 Units): The following courses are part of the requirement for this major and are recommended to fulfill general education requirements.
- THE241 | Theatre History I: Greeks to the Restoration
- THE242 | Theatre History II: The Restoration to the Contemporary
- BUS242 | Personal Finance
- Core Courses (26 Units)
- CART101 | The Creative Christian
- THE105 | Introduction to the Theatre Profession
- THE106 | Introduction to Technical Theatre
- THE160a | Acting I – Fundamentals
- THE172 | Practicum
- THE250 or ART351 | Voice and Diction or Two-Dimensional Design
- THE345 | Text Analysis
- THE498 | Professional Preparation in Performance, Production, or Management
- THE475 or THE477 | Professional Experience or Senior Project in Theatre
Theatre Specialization: Students must choose a specialization listed below.
- Acting Specialization (27 units)
- THE230 | Movement for the Stage
- THE260 | Acting II – Realism
- THE360 | Acting III – Shakespeare
- THE460 | Acting IV – Screen Acting
- THE468 | Directing for the Stage
- Theatre Design and Technology Specialization (12 units)
- THE217 | Stage Management
- THE311 | Lighting Design
- THE313 | Set Design
- THE315 | Costume Design
- THE468 | Directing for the Stage
- Theatre Electives
- Theatre Management Specialization (27 units)
- ART335 | Web Design and Presence
- BUS260 | Business Law
- BUS320 | Marketing
- LDRS360 | Nonprofit Leadership
- BUS385 | Project Management
- Theatre Electives
- Musical Theatre Specialization (27 units)
- THE230 | Movement for the Stage
- THE260 | Acting II – Realism
- THE331 | Ballet
- THE332 | Jazz
- THE333 | Tap
- THE334 or THE335 | Musical Theatre Dance or Swing and Social Dance
- THE360 | Acting III – Shakespeare
- THE365 | Musical Theatre Workshop
- THE460 | Acting IV – Screen Acting
To view all courses and course descriptions, please see our current Academic Catalog.
Theatre Minor Courses (23 units)
- CART101 | The Creative Christian
- THE106 | Introduction to Technical Theatre
- THE160b | Acting I
- THE172 | Practicum
- THE241 | Theatre History I: From the Greeks to the Restoration or THE242 | Theatre History II: From the Restoration to the Contemporary or THE345 | Text Analysis
- Theatre electives (Choose three)(9 units)
To view all courses and course descriptions, please see our current Academic Catalog.
The nature and purpose of the arts at William Jessup University is:
- To illuminate truth about the human condition
- To tell redemptive and transformative stories, both edifying and cautionary, that examine our relationship with God and one another
- To bring beauty into a fallen world
- To serve the world through sacrifice of one’s own talents toward the betterment of society and culture
- To create an authentic community of diverse individuals that join together for a common purpose
- To invest in imagination, hope, and healing through the power of creation and the creative spirit
Our response to the statement:
- We will examine all forms, genres and styles of artistry in order to understand and explore the human condition
- We will survey all types of stories to witness the artist journey and message
- We will engage in thoughtful and moral artistic practice
- We will participate in serving the world through the creation of art
- We will work together with respect and encouragement to challenge and cultivate each other as individual artists in the body of Christ
- We will foster an environment where creativity is encouraged, ideas are embraced, and truthful expression is not limited.
Support the Theatre program as we educate transformational leaders who are capable of vast, positive, influence in the arts, media, and entertainment.
Select Jessup Theatre in the Gift Designation dropdown.
To view upcoming shows and events for the Theatre Department, please CLICK HERE.
FACULTY
Jennifer Martin, MFA, AEA
PART TIME AND CONTRACTED STAFF
Anne Merino
Ardith Gray, M.F.A.
Beth Litwak, M.F.A.
Erika Placencia
Fred Radford
Justin LaHiff
Kalie Annis
Kelly Ann Dunn
Kim Reimert
Maeve Morgan
Marianne Savell, M.F.A.
Kelly Harlow
Rob Gore, M.F.A.
Tamra Rogers
Taylor Miller
Tony Gabrielson, M.A.
JESSUP NEWS & STORIES

William Jessup University’s award-winning theatre department proudly announces its first-ever, socially-distanced live theatre show with a simultaneous drive-in theatre experience. While most live theatre venues are currently dark, Jessup is hard at work producing "Bethlehem," an original, full-length rock opera about the nativity story. Written by Jessup Theatre Department Chair,…