Buffalo State’s Theater Department strives to introduce aspiring performing artists to all aspects of the theater and entertainment industries. Students learn a variety of skills theater-related skills—from acting to set-building, from directing to costume design. The rigorous training our students receive prepares them for the professional standards they will encounter in theaters, studios, and TV stations once they graduate. In addition, students will develop skills in teamwork, time management, self-advocacy, creating budgets, creativity, verbal and written communications, leadership, research, civic engagement, peer mentoring, diplomacy, and critical thinking.
Our theater program prepares students for a wide variety of careers both on and off the stage. Students who want to work in theater usually find a job within six months:
Our graduates have been hired by a range of local and national theaters, organizations, and companies including:
Some students use the skills they developed in the theater major in professions seemingly unrelated to theater. Graduates have told us that they’re better business leaders, educators, communication professionals, and attorneys because they’ve studied the human condition through our theater program. They’ve learned how to articulate clearly, how to empathize with others, and how to deliver a message with panache.
At Buffalo State, we believe that the best way to learn is by doing. Our theater program is designed to give students multiple experiences and opportunities both in and outside of the classroom. Applied learning experiences include professional internships, community outreach projects, involvement with arts-related organizations, teaching at local elementary and high schools, and on-the-job experiences. Below are just a few ways theater majors can get involved:
Casting Hall Productions: Buffalo State's student-operated and funded theater production company serves as co-producer for the season. It allows students to get practical experience in all aspects of the production, including publicity, costume and set construction, technical staffing, production management, and budget management.
Buffalo State Dance Association: This student chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance hosts fundraisers for dance-themed events, travels to dance-themed symposiums, and offers master classes coached by professional dancers.
The Anne Frank Project: This annual campus-wide social festival, begun in 2008 by a theater professor, uses storytelling as a vehicle for community building, conflict-resolution, and identity exploration. Students can participate in AFP by leading workshops and performances as well as volunteering for the logistical needs of this growing festival.
Scholarships:
Awards: Three awards are available to theater majors of good academic standing:
