Theatre

Productions

Students from any major can be involved in our productions onstage or off beginning with their first semester on campus. Student leaders serve as Stage Managers or Assistant Directors, performers can appear in plays and musicals of every genre and time period, technicians can work in pre-production or serve on backstage crew for the run of shows, and student designers can assist or solo design costumes, scenery, lighting, sound, or projections. 

Travel

Muskingum Theatre students have opportunities to travel to attend professional shows, or to conferences around the United States. The department works to make these opportunities accessible to students, regardless of academic background. 

• Kennedy Center/American College Theatre-- Regional Festivals around the North East, as well as the National Festival in Washington DC. Students are able to present their projects, network with peers and professionals, and see performances from other schools around the region. 
• The Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario-- Students spend a week in the summer seeing professional shows, attending backstage tours, speaking with professionals, and exploring this beautiful city in Canada. This trip is sponsored by John and Therese Gardner. 
• Trips to see professional Broadway tours in Cleveland and Columbus typically happen once or twice a year.
• United States Institute of Theatre Technology-- travels around the US, we aim to bring students when it is located within a manageable distance.

Senior Capstone

Theatre majors are required to engage in a senior seminar to complete their capstone projects. Capstone projects allow graduating students to work within their area of focus to add to their professional portfolios. Some seminars involve practical projects, such as a directing, managing, or designing a production. Other students take on written projects, studying scripts, historical periods in theatre, or writing plays.

Honoraries

Theatre students at Muskingum have the opportunity to join Alpha Psi Omega, the national Theatre honorary society. Founded in 1925, Alpha Psi Omega is the largest national honor society in America with over 550 casts. Membership in Alpha Psi Omega is only granted to fully accredited institutions with a four-year curriculum in theatre and drama, leading to a degree. Alpha Psi Omega hosts an annual "Discovery Day" for local students, a Masquerade Ball for the campus, and puts together other programming to support the department throughout the year. 

Employment

• Theatre Production Staff Members build, paint, sew, hang lights, program sound, and put together all elements of our theatre productions. Students can be hired from any major. 
• Theatre Arts Management students can work as front of house managers or as social media coordinators. 

Professional Activities

Involvement in the Kennedy Center/ American College Theatre Festival provides opportunities for students in acting, musical theatre, design and technology, theatre journalism, and Arts Management competitions. Since 2021, four students have advanced to the National Festival, and many others have been recognized with regional awards. 

Attendance at the National United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) Conference.

Alumni Connections

Students connect with alumni from all years of Muskingum Theatre, who share their career expertise and help our students get ahead. Muskie Alumni are always welcome back to work with current students!

After Graduation

Career Possibilities for Theatre Majors: 

• Actor 
• Technician
• Designer
• Stage Manager
• Director
• Education
• Playwright
• Arts Leadership
• Arts Journalism

Graduate Programs

Muskingum Theatre graduates have been admitted into advanced degree programs at:

• Ohio University
• UCLA
• University of Delaware
• University of Minnesota
• University of New Orleans