The Department of Performing Arts offers five undergraduate BFA programs, one cross-departmental undergraduate degree program, and two minors.
Housed in the School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies, all Performing Arts majors include a core liberal arts curriculum designed to develop students as stronger, more versatile artists, with a deep understanding of the role that arts play in society—and their role as both an arts-maker and a citizen of the world.
Bachelor’s Programs in the Department of Performing Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting
The on-campus BFA Acting program blends rigorous training with personal discovery, empowering students to develop their unique artistic voice through a dynamic, technique-driven curriculum. Graduates emerge as bold, versatile performers and creators, equipped to create authentic, innovative work across a wide range of mediums.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre
The on-campus BFA in Musical Theatre prepares students for the demands of today’s industry while simultaneously cultivating unique and authentic artists. Through the supplementary study of liberal arts, the program provides students with a holistic approach to the craft.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Stage Management
The on-campus BFA in Design and Stage Management cultivates designers and stage managers who are not only fluent in the language of design and technology, but also deeply attuned to the rhythms of production. Through hands-on experiences and courses designed to engage critical thinking, this BFA equips students with the practical tools, creative insight, and professional readiness needed to thrive in the live entertainment industry.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Playwriting, Directing, and Dramaturgy
The on-campus Playwriting, Directing, and Dramaturgy program exposes students to all aspects of theatre creation through a curriculum that is balanced between theory and practice and grounded in human-centered skills. With a focus on career readiness, the program leads students through the collaborative process to develop their ability to tell stories, connect with audiences, and create original solutions out of intricate situations.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Education and Performance
In the on-campus BFA in Theatre Education and Performance program, students master the fundamentals of dramatic arts and hone their unique artistic voice while also learning to leverage the transformative power of the arts in classrooms and communities. Through hands-on learning, students become well-rounded artists, educators, and community leaders who use theatre to impact audiences, shape society, and change lives.
Cross-Departmental Program
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Comedic Arts
At Emerson, we believe that great comedy stems from a huge bank of knowledge. The on-campus BFA in Comedic Arts sustains an intense focus on comedy, while remaining rooted in the liberal arts by exposing students to a wide range of perspectives.