Theatre and Performance Media majors gain writing, technical, and performance skills in class, as well as in production settings. Students learn technology, management, and design through acting, directing, dance, filmmaking, and playwriting. Theatre and Performance Media majors work on stage and on-camera, as well as backstage and front-of-house. The program is committed to strengthening humanity’s relationship with creative expression, while preparing each student to contribute their own artistic voice to the larger world.
Why Study Theatre and Performance Media at Eastern?
Through classes, independent studies, internships, practica, and study tours, Theatre and Performance Media majors at Eastern examine the history of performance and gain practical experience in production. In addition to one- acts, short films, original plays, and staged readings, the program produces four main stage shows each year, giving students many opportunities to develop skills and talents in all areas of performance and filmmaking. Students choose from one of three concentrations: Performance; Design, Technology, and Performance Media; or Directing and Filmmaking.
Concentrations
The Performance concentration provides students with an interdisciplinary and comprehensive program for performers interested in Acting, Dance/Movement and Physical Theatre practices with applications for both stage and screen.
Theatre majors in the Filmmaking and Directing concentration explore the creative process of play production through the role of director. With courses in acting, directing, playwriting, musical theatre, children’s theatre and site-specific theatre, students acquire valuable hands-on experience.
The Design, Technology, and Performance Media concentration in the Theatre major offers courses in scenic design, lighting and sound design, and stage management. Students explore the global spectrum of theatrical production, experience the creative process of theatre technology and design, and develop an appreciation for and commitment to the collaborative process.
Each year theatre students participate in the regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. In the spring semester, students may also participate in the New York City study tour.
Global Studies
During spring break, winter session and/or the summer, theatre students may travel on global field courses to places such as London, Los Angeles and Prague. During these trips, students interact with performing artists, while also visiting historic theaters and other cultural sites.
Internships
Recent theatre internship locations include Hartford Stage Company, PRG Technologies, TheatreWorks, Goodspeed Opera House, Long Wharf Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Capital Classics, The Bushnell, Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods and the Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Faculty Spotlight
Kristen Morgan
Associate Professor and Chair - Design and Media Technology
"Get a liberal arts education; designers need to know about philosophy, history, literature, art, science, math, psychology and sociology, just to name a few. The larger your breadth of knowledge, the better equipped you are to analyze a script for design."
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Brian Day
Assistant Professor - Directing and Film
“I came to Eastern to help develop filmmaking courses and a filmmaking program. I have found that there are many students at Eastern and in Connecticut who are interested in learning filmmaking and there wasn’t a clear program to address this.”
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Students who pursue undergraduate degrees in Theatre and Performance Media can have rewarding and successful careers in a variety of professional fields, including:
Actor
Arts Management
Dancer/Choreographer
Costume, Set, Lighting, Projection, or Sound Designer
Director
Dance/Drama Therapist
Filmmaker
Immersive/Interactive Media Designer
Playwright/Screenwriter
Stage Manager
Theatre Technician
Successful Alumni
Students regularly work at prestigious theatre venues after graduation, and many go on to graduate study in programs such as acting, directing, costume design, technical direction and stage management in the following schools
After receiving teacher certification through Eastern’s master’s program in Education, Matthew is now working as an 8th-grade teacher in Carmen Arace Middle School. “The theatre program has played a critical role in the development of my self-discipline and leadership abilities. Dedicating time and energy to participating in college productions takes a lot out of you, but it teaches you to think critically and adapt to a given situation.”
Theatre
Elizabeth Heaney ’19
Elizabeth is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting at Purdue University. “Eastern’s Theatre Program is expanding and improving every year. Each professor has an innovative and unique perspective, and the collaboration that goes on is beautiful. Opportunity is plentiful, technology is state of the art and resources are always available.”
Theatre
Hilary Osborn ’12
Theatre major Hilary Osborn earned a master’s degree in sustainability management from Columbia University in 2018 and now works with Willdan Group, Inc., an engineering consulting firm in Manhattan. “My theatre degree gave me poise and confidence to work in a corporate environment, and the extensive writing in all my Eastern classes gave me the communication skills I need to succeed in my profession.”
Theatre/Opera
Alexis Kurtz ’16
Alexis combined her acting and directing concentration with an interest in musical theatre and opera. “I had the privilege to take private voice lessons with Dr. Riggs for all four years at Eastern. She respects my love of musical theatre, so in addition to the classical foundation required for private voice study at the University, she constantly provided me with opportunities to put my character work to use.”
Resident Hall Director
Troi Branham ’18
Troi interned for a summer with MetLife. Working full time in the Resources Management Team, she completed adherence and compliance reports and analyzed data trends. “I’ve sat in on meetings with company executives and presented both individually and in groups to teams and executives. I’ve learned how to speak and act professionally, and how to work independently while efficiently managing my time and tasks.”
Television Academy
Paulina Palomo ’21
Theatre major Paulina Palomo ’21 was one of 50 participants nationwide selected for a Television Academy Foundation Internship, where she worked with Hollywood-based production company Endemol Shine North America. She is now a production coordinator for Arkansas PBS. “Film and television have always been so interesting to me, which is why I decided to pursue it professionally.”
TheaterWorks
Rebecca Ristow '23
Rebecca interned with TheaterWorks. One of her most notable experiences was her role as assistant director for the production of “Queen of Basel.” “I was lucky to be able to experience the entire rehearsal process at a regional theater company, seeing the project come to life from its first stages. This was invaluable to me as a theatre student who wants to pursue directing as a career path.”
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Agresta Capri ’21
Theatre and New Media Studies double-major Capri Agresta ’21 is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in scenic technology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “My undergraduate experience provided me with many hands-on opportunities, including several leadership positions for our mainstage shows. Eastern allowed me to build a portfolio that showcases my carpentry and drafting skills, which is helping to launch my career.”
New York City
Anthony Piccione ’16
Theatre major Anthony Piccione is a NYC-based playwright. Since graduating from Eastern, his plays have shown at theatres and festivals such as Midtown International Theatre Festival, NY Winterfest and Manhattan Repertory Theatre. “The range of classes and creative opportunities I experienced at Eastern helped me to mature and become well rounded as an artist and as a person.”
Tia Russell Dance
Sinque Tavares ’17
Theatre major Sinque Tavares is a dance instructor at The Lab-Creative Space for the Arts. At Eastern, he concentrated in acting, directing and dance, and starred in several theatre productions. “My eyes have been opened to other dance forms — hip hop, jazz, modern, tap. Now I like to choreograph from different perspectives and incorporate different genres into the same dance.”
Actress
Alexis Kurtz ’16
Theatre major Alexis Kurtz has performed in professional productions such as “The Hunch Back of Notre Dame” and “Earth Day, Every Day.” She is associated with the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport. “My Main Stage experiences as an undergraduate were critically important for my career. I can thank Eastern for fostering the performance proficiency I now enjoy.”
