All enrolled Sacred Heart University students, regardless of major, are invited to participate in the Theatre Arts Program.
The program produces six full-scale productions each academic year – two main stage performances in the Edgerton Center and four Little Theatre performances. Each show is under professional direction and is presented to Sacred Heart University and the public.
The program allows for a meaningful experience in communication, analysis, public speaking, teamwork and problem solving. Skills gained will translate into post-graduation careers and lend towards preparation for a career in a variety of fields; theatre (acting, directing, producing, writing, stage management), television, film, education, media companies, art therapy, and much more.
Theatre arts students recapped their amazing trip to Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland with WSHU. The students performed their original romcom musical Reject Me, Already for the entire month of August.
We produce three straight plays and three musicals each academic year. This gives our students ample opportunities to learn both acting and musical theatre under the direction of industry professionals. For those who want to explore theatre academics, there is a major and minor available in both areas.
Students learn technical skills and design under the instruction of industry professionals. While there are classes offered in stagecraft, it is the hands-on nature of our program that allows students to contribute to the design and construction of sets, lighting plots and sound design. Each production has a dedicated creative team, which allows students the ability to contribute on a costume, props or hair/make up crew. Leadership positions are available and encouraged.
No matter your area of interest within theatre, hone your craft on our mainstage, Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts. Two mainstage productions are produced per year; a fall play and a spring musical, in our beautiful 776-seat theatre. Productions, both classical and contemporary, welcome auditionees of any class, regardless of major and level of involvement.
The newest performance space introduced with the opening of the John & Sabina Petillo Center for the Performing Arts, the Black Box Theatre produces one straight play and one musical each season. The space is optimal to produce shows in any configuration, ranging from profile to theatre-in-the-round. Fully produced TheatreFest shows are also showcased within the Black Box.
The 75-seat Little Theatre is the creative home for the Theatre Arts Program. This malleable space allows our students to experiment with design, technology and captivating audiences in an intimate setting. We produce one straight play and one musical within this special place.
The Sacred Heart University Theatre Arts Program is privileged to host Connecticut Children’s Theatre (CCT) once a semester in the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts. Founded in 1991, CCT provides Sacred Heart students the opportunity to perform for upwards of 3,500 local elementary students with each production.
This elite group is comprised of Sacred Heart’s most advanced and dedicated theatre arts students. Opportunities include intimate workshops with venerable stars of stage and screen, casting directors, directors, and more. The Company students travel both across the country and internationally to experience and participate in exclusive workshops and backstage tours. Repertory Theatre students may also audition for the renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland.
The Theatre Arts Program has a passion for new works and storytelling. TheatreFest is our original playwriting festival, where student-written shows are produced, directed, and performed. This festival is done in three stages; reader’s theatre, black box staging, and fully produced productions. TheatreFest shows students on a small scale how a new work goes from script to full production in the professional world. Students also have the opportunity to work with new plays or musicals at different parts of their process. Whether it’s a reading with the playwright present or a full production, our students are excited to explore new works.
Sacred Heart University is the only United States university that fully funds its students to attend the world’s largest arts festival for the entire month of August in Edinburgh, Scotland. Students perform at the festival with original, alumni-written works. They have the opportunity to expand on their craft in a professional setting, perform on the international stage, and engross themselves in local culture. This opportunity is strictly reserved for members of the Repertory Theatre Company.
The improv troupe, known as SHU’s Line Is It Anyway?, focuses on creating hilarious, in-the-moment performances for the SHU community and at off campus events/competitions. Students who are actively involved in rehearsals are given the opportunity to participate in public performances. Rehearsals consist of warm-ups and various short-form games, alongside constructive criticism, advice on finding one’s comedic voice, and building a group mind among performers. Members of the troupe can expect growth as comedic performers and a lot of fun!
Once a month, students are given the opportunity to perform in a cabaret-style Coffeehouse performance with themes that vary by month. All Coffeehouse performances take place in The Little Theatre. Additionally, once a semester in the fall and spring, students perform as singing waiters and waitresses in Sacred Heart’s on-campus diner, JP's, where they perform musical theatre for patrons in collaboration with SHU Dining.
The Stage Management digital badge recognizes that students have gained foundational skills in managing theatrical productions. The badge focuses on the practical aspect of stage management, including organizational, leadership, communication, and technical skills.
Visit the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts for details on upcoming performances.
Sacred Heart University’s Theatre Arts major is a fresh approach to the world of theatre. The major combines both theory and practice courses to prepare students for a thriving career in the arts or in a variety of other fields. The flexible, 36-credit course load focuses on strong academics while ensuring students experience theatre in an interactive, hands-on way. Professionals from the industry guide our students to guarantee they are learning high-quality, real-world skills while mastering vocals, acting, and movement in this all-encompassing major.
For those who wish to study Theatre without pursuing the major, an 18-credit minor is available. This minor focuses students on both the history and technique of acting, as well as grants them the flexibility to choose elective courses in other areas of theatre.
Are you ready to shine on stage and soar to new heights? Visit SHU's campus and explore the opportunities that await you through our Theatre Arts Program. Experience our beautiful campus and our state-of-the-art John & Sabina Petillo Center for the Performing Arts, meet faculty, staff and students, immerse yourself in student life and learn all we have to offer.
Grants and scholarships are available for eligible members of the Theatre Arts Program, and auditions or interviews are required to determine placement. Prospective students may schedule an audition or interview online or by contacting theatrearts@sacredheart.edu.
The theatre arts program provides incredible opportunities for new works. Students participate in TheatreFest, a festival of student written, performed, directed plays. We’re given the opportunity to learn the process of new play development through collaborating with peers and industry professionals.
Production of "The Important of Being Earnest"
Production of "Be More Chill"
Tech & Design
New Works Table Read
Production of "The Great American Trailer Park"
New Works
Production of "Jesus Christ Superstar"
Production of "HAIR"
Hair & Makeup
Improv
New Works Table Read
Production of "Be More Chill"
Production of "Falsettos"
Production of "HAIR"
Production of "In the Heights"
Production of "Richard III"
Production of "Spoon River Anthology"
Production of "The Great American Trailer Park"
Production of "The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later"
Tech & Design
Production of “Barnum”
Sacred Heart University's Theatre Arts Program is proud to announce the sponsorship with The Stephen Sondheim Awards.
