
Overview
Our program provides the leadership, communication, collaboration, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills necessary for a career in professional theatre or for graduate study. We offer small studio and workshop classroom experiences, individualized mentoring for students in their areas of interest, and opportunities to pursue creative work in acting, directing, design, and writing.
Differentiators
- Student passion for subject matter; leadership roles
- Small studio classes for more personal mentoring from faculty
- Individualized, guided educational experience
- Faculty involvement with student clubs
- Faculty actively working as artists in New York City and across New England
Topics Covered
- Performance and Directing Techniques
- Design Techniques
- Theatre History
- Script Analysis
- Emerging Theatre Technologies
Career Preparation
- Internship support
- Practical production experience
- Faculty guidance on applications, letters, and portfolios
- Guest speakers showcasing professionals working from a Theatre background
- Acceptance in MA/Ph.D., MFA Acting, MFA Design, MFA Theatre for Youth
Opportunities
- High-quality theatrical productions
- Strong opportunities for involvement from the first semester
- Students present work at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
- Strong creative/collaborative environment
Internship Opportunities
- Actors Theatre of Louisville
- Berkshire Theatre Group
- Westport County Playhouse
- Hartford Stage Company
- Barrington Stage Company
- Chester Theatre Company
- Circus Smirkus
- Bay Street Theatre Company
- St. Michael’s Playhouse
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Focused
mentoring
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Connections & Events
with professional theatre artists
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Exposure
to professional
theatre productions
Requirements
Learning Outcomes
- Hone skills in oral, written, physical, and visual communication
- Develop personal creative expressiveness
- Team building and collaboration
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Engaging with complex philosophical and social issues that explore the nature of humanity in a community setting

Related Clubs & Organizations
Musical Theatre Guild
Advisor
Student Theatre Association (STA)
WHIP Improv Comedy Club
Advisor
The Theatre Arts Program at Westfield State University gave me the creative space to discover my passion for acting, the tools I needed to take my craft to the next level, and the hunger to continue pursuing opportunities on stage, on film, and in a classroom after graduation.
Rachel Cofsky
Class of 2017Notable Faculty & Alumni
- James Jackson, Jr., Obie Award Winning Actor and Singer
- Alyssa Wright, CEO and Founder of Wright Consulting Group
- Philanthropy & Fund-Raising Consultant and contributing writer at Forbes
- Barrett Leddy, Voice Actor
- Bridget Collins, Lighting Supervisor, The Huntington Theatre Company
- Madeleine Hebert, National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Award for Excellence in Lighting Design. Accepted MFA Candidate at Carnegie Mellon, Cal Arts, New York University and The University of Ohio
- Stuart Holland, Event Audio Technician/Sound Designer, Roger Williams Zoo
Still have questions?
Please contact us with any questions you may have!