Online Theatre Degrees

Do you live for the stage? Enjoy putting your creative talents to work at your local school or community theatre? Why not take your passion to the professional level?

In this article, we'll take a closer look at online theatre degrees and how they can help you pursue a career in acting and drama.

What Is an Online Theatre Degree?

An online theatre degree is a type of fine arts degree you can obtain remotely, without ever having to attend in-person classes.

Theatre degrees apply specifically to stage acting. They are not to be confused with theater degrees, such as degrees in theater and film studies, which apply to films and moviemaking.

Theatre degrees allow students to learn the types and techniques of stage acting. They prepare students for careers in performance, directing, writing, and costume-making, to name a few.

Some theatre degrees also equip students to become theatre instructors, allowing them to pursue careers in school or community drama troupes.

These degree programs cover a range of topics including:

• character development
• performance analysis
• dramatic writing
• theatre technology
• theory

Some degree programs offer emphases which allow students to tailor their degree to their specific interests. Online theatre degrees allow students maximum flexibility to study on their own time and at their own pace.

Where Can You Get an Online Theatre Degree?

Online theatre degrees are available through various colleges, universities, and academies throughout the United States.

As noted, most degrees offered fully online are at the master's degree level. Both public and private institutions offer these degrees.

Let's take a look at a few of the schools offering theatre and related degree programs online.

1. New York Film Academy

The New York Film Academy was founded in 1992 and has physical locations in Miami and Los Angeles as well as New York City.

This school offers one online degree: a Master of Arts in entrepreneurial producing and innovation. The program is a good fit for students looking to become producers.

Additionally, the academy offers online workshop programs in musical theatre, screenwriting, photography, and more. Though targeted at students interested in the film industry, the programs offered through this school can also be beneficial for those who want a stage career.

2. Regent University

Regent University is a private school in Virginia that offers many online degree programs. Many of its students study in a completely online format.

Regent offers an online Master of Arts degree in theatre. This well-rounded degree program consists of 30 credit hours and gives you the option of completing a summer residency program in person if desired.

Graduates of this program can pursue advanced leadership roles within the field of theatre. They will also be prepared to enter other advanced programs of study to obtain a Master of Fine Arts or a doctoral degree.

3. Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah College of Art and Design has two locations in Georgia and one in France. Though it doesn't have any specific theatre degrees, it offers a wealth of online degree programs for the creative mind.

Some of the programs to choose from include:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in dramatic writing
• Master of Fine Arts in fashion
• Master of Arts in creative business leadership

Any of these degrees would be useful to you as you pursue or advance your career in theatre.

4. University of Idaho

The University of Idaho is a public school and the largest university in the state. It offers several online degree programs to its students.

Those interested in an online theatre degree can obtain a Master of Fine Arts in theatre. This program is available both in person and in a completely online format, with all online students paying in-state tuition regardless of location.

Online students can choose from emphases in directing, design, technology, and management (DTM), theatre pedagogy, and dramatic writing.

What Types of Online Theatre Degrees Are Available?

Most theatre degrees available online are at the graduate level. This is because students at an undergraduate level typically have extensive in-person portions of their classes to complete.

Master's degrees in theatre, theatre arts, and related fields are available from a number of different schools, both in the United States and Internationally.

They are typically Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts degrees, though some Master of Science degrees in theatre are also available.

A number of related degrees may also be available online. These include:

• dramatic writing
• fashion
• design management
• painting
• animation

What Are the Benefits of Online Theatre Degrees?

There are several benefits to completing your theatre or related degree online.

First, online degree programs tend to offer more flexibility than in-person degrees. You can study from anywhere as long as you have a reliable internet connection, and you can often study at whatever time is convenient for you.

This flexibility is a great benefit for busy students who may also be working, caring for family, or completing other studies.

What's more, studying theatre online makes a lot of sense for students already holding a bachelor's degree or who have plenty of real-world experience.

Studying online allows them to obtain a degree on their terms without having to participate in on-site training or classroom sessions.

What Can You Do with an Online Theatre Degree?

If you hold a degree in theatre, whether at the graduate or undergraduate level, you can pursue a variety of career options.

A degree in theatre can give you a professional edge if you're trying to break into the competitive world of stage acting. It can also be beneficial if you go on to pursue other forms of acting as well.

A theatre degree may also help you land roles as a director, screenwriter, costume maker, or set designer.

You can learn how to run the lights and sound systems of a stage as well as other technological aspects of the stage.

Holding a degree in theatre can even enable you to teach acting and drama techniques to the next generation of aspiring actors.

Get Your Theatre Degree Online Today

An online theatre degree can better your chances of landing your dream job or furthering your career in theatre. Check out any of the degree programs discussed above to get started.