Theatre

Theatre Majors Bring Stories to Life

Individuals with a Theatre degree become performers, technicians, writers, directors and more.

Introduction

With courses ranging from acting to stagecraft to history and literature, Russell Sage College produces well-rounded artists — both onstage and off. A Theatre major is, by its nature, a hands-on experience, and you’ll be exposed to every part of it through our robust schedule of live productions — up to 70 performances a year.

Faculty

Our faculty are dedicated teachers and talented artists in their own right. They include experienced actors, directors, costume designers and more — all focused on guiding you as you gain the knowledge and skills necessary for success.

Program Distinctions

The B.A. in Theatre program provides a spectrum of learning opportunities that will help you become a fully-developed professional with multiple career options. Learning in our Schacht Auditorium and our James L. Meader Little Theater (named for the second president of Russell Sage College), you’ll be active in many different production roles.

Russell Sage College also offers a Bachelor of Science in Musical Theatre for students interested in transforming their singing and dancing talents into a career.

Theatre Institute at Sage

The Theatre Institute at Sage provides quality performing arts and arts-in-education programming in Troy and Albany, New York, and surrounding areas. It also allows Russell Sage College students opportunities as performers, technicians and teachers.

SEE CATALOG FOR B.A. IN THEATRE REQUIREMENTS

“Theatre majors have worked at Shakespeare in the Park in New York, students work at all the terrific theaters in the Berkshires … By the time they leave they could be in upwards of 15 to 20 plays.”

David Baecker, MFA, Associate Professor

“You have so many opportunities for anything — backstage, onstage, clothing, makeup, hair. You are always learning.”

Liz Broderick ’23

Careers with a Theatre Degree

Recent graduates of Sage’s Theatre program are working as actors with theatre companies and on HBO and Amazon series; as administrators at Sand Lake Center for the Arts and Baltimore Center Stage; and as an attorney who says her theatre background is an asset to her legal career.

Theatre Major Spotlights

A bachelor’s degree in Theatre prepared these Sage graduates for success.

Alumni

Theatre 2011

Raysheea Turner

How many lawyers do you suppose had Theatre as their college major? Seems safe to say, not that many. But …

Alumni

“My four years at Sage were amazing. We did five shows a season. I was essentially a working actor.”

– Lucas Aurelio Phayre-Gonzalez

Alumni

Theatre 2018

Lucas Aurelio Phayre-Gonzalez

After graduating with a major in Theatre from Russell Sage College in 2018, Lucas Lucas Aurelio Phayre-Gonzalez journeyed to London …

Graduate Studies with a Theatre Degree

A Master of Fine Arts degree is the next step for many Musical Theatre majors who want to continue their education.

Recent graduates have been accepted to MFA programs at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, Sarah Lawrence College and Missouri State University.

This program is also excellent preparation for graduate degrees in other fields that align with your goals.

Internships

Our own productions — like The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Oliver — provide a foundation of experiential learning for students. And you also have the opportunity to intern with many leading companies and venues. Past internships have included Shakespeare & Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival and Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady, New York.

Program Objectives

The curriculum includes general education courses like communication and history, in-depth theatre classes and hands-on involvement with productions — all of which provide you knowledge and experience that will transfer to a range of careers. As a creative communicator with strong foundational skills, you’ll be ready to take on the world.