Applied Theatre

"Applied Theatre" is a new name for the long-established practice of using performance to serve communities and individuals. The term refers to theatre as it can be mobilized for education, social movements, and wellness. Pacific is unusual in offering a full Applied Theatre program at the undergraduate level. Student in this program build on their traditional theatre skills, and then employ those tools in community service. They study theatre's connection with religion, activism, and public health, and they find interactive ways to engage with the community through drama.

Program Highlights

• Pacific is one of just a handful of universities offering an undergraduate program in applied theatre.
• Building on a liberal arts foundation, the applied theatre program links traditional theatre skills with service professions.
• A winter travel course takes students off-campus for community learning opportunities.
• Internships are a prominent part of the curriculum. Local partners include senior centers, youth centers and other nonprofits.
• An applied theatre major or minor is a strong complement to studies in anthropology, education, political science, psychology, social work, sociology and other liberal arts disciplines.

Courses

Applied theatre students participate in many of the same foundational courses as traditional theatre students. These include courses such as technical theatre, acting, playwriting, and directing. Applied theatre students also study the history of theatre in a social context, exploring the roots of how theatre and drama have played a role in religion, politics and community service. Students connect their theatre skills with other disciplines in courses such as "Theatre in Education."

Faculty and Staff

Our faculty members are active professionals in their fields. Teachers in the applied theatre program are local artists and members of the professional theatre world.

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More Information

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