The Theatre Arts major at Sacred Heart University 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 focuses on strong academics while ensuring students experience theatre in an interactive, hands-on way. SHU is conveniently located between New York City, the home of Broadway and world-class theatre, and Boston, a bustling city with a flourishing theatre community. The Theatre Arts major provides ample opportunities for students to perform in the six fully produced shows that are created each year. Professionals from the industry guide our students to guarantee they are learning high-quality, real-world skills. With two tracks, Musical Theatre and Acting, Sacred Heart University’s Theatre Arts major is a fresh approach to the world of theatre.
The power of musical theatre and acting is its ability to create a seamless world between the characters on stage and the audience. It can take a heartfelt moment or the most mundane of thoughts and expound on its commonality through music, lyrics or dialogue. Students master song, acting and movement in this all-encompassing major. Our varied show choices, both straight plays and musicals, offer many opportunities for students to explore and grow.
For more than 35 years, students and families have trusted The Princeton Review to help them get into their dream schools. We are proud to be a 2017 recipient of the The Princeton Review, top 20 best colleges in the United States for theatre programs.
TAP is the greatest program I joined in college! This largely growing group became my family and home away from home. From learning many new skillsets, having access to professional opportunities, creating meaningful productions, to just spending endless nights in the theatre, this program truly shaped me into the person I am today.
There is something special to be said about the Theater Arts Program. During my time here as a member, I was able to discover aspects of myself that could have only been incubated and grown through the challenging shows, supportive staff, and stimulating classes.
After four years, I can say that this program gave me the best real-life experience. Working with tech and stage managing shows, I learned and developed skills, such as organization and time management, that I would not have been able to do anywhere else… all while working on amazing shows with even more amazing people.
I was the kid who didn’t say two words my first semester. Senior year I won the “Taper of the Year” award, given to the student who most exemplifies what the program is about. Anything is possible. TAP has given so many opportunities to grow, not just a performer, but as a person as well. You don’t need to be the star on stage to have an impact. You have 4 years, take advantage of every opportunity that is given to you.
The Theatre Arts program at Sacred Heart University cultivated a deep love and respect for the theatre. The program is comprised of dedicated, passionate, and talented individuals working in tandem to create something meaningful on and off the stage. I’m extremely grateful to all the professors and members of the program for granting me with the perfect environment to learn and grow in. My closest and most special friends are those I studied and performed with during my four years in the theatre arts program, and I don’t suspect that will change anytime soon.
In addition to performing, I wanted to explore the "behind-the-scenes" action. Through this program, I have had the opportunity to work with professional stagehands on a variety of different events. I've learned so much in such a short amount of time that it sometimes seems unreal. In addition to great opportunities, both on stage and behind the scenes, the program is full of amazing people who are not only supportive and entertaining, but who will inspire you and push you to work harder.
Since my freshman year, I've had the opportunity to be a part of 5 main stage productions, 6 separate TheatreFest shows, and a spot in SHU's own Improv troupe, "The Awkward Handshakes!" The program gives students the remarkable ability to explore their interests and talents, whether that may be acting, backstage tech, directing, writing, or stage management. And if you have any questions, or want to see real life applications of such skills, the theatre program gives its members the extraordinary ability to meet and speak with experts in the field from around the country. I can't count the amount of memories this program has given me!
One of the best things is how many opportunities you get to showcase your skills in ways you may have never had the chance to in the past. Before I came to Sacred Heart, I kept my writing mostly to myself. When I heard about Theaterfest over the summer, I decided that I would write a play to submit to it. I did so, submitted it, casted it, and went to the read-through round. It didn't make it thorough, but it did give me a chance to showcase my skills to a larger audience. A lot of people reacted positively to the show, and I felt I had gained a sort of artistic respect that I hadn't achieved in any other parts of my life. It helped me feel more welcome among my peers, and I'm thankful for that.
I have had opportunities to be involved both backstage and onstage. My proudest accomplishment is just recently in being a part of such an incredibly talented cast for the show, The Fantasticks. I am so proud to be in this show and have improved and grown so much as an actress throughout the rehearsal process.
Thanks for spending your time at Armadillo Acres! 🦩”It Doesn’t Take A Genius” to see “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” was a hit! ☀️📬 #shutheatrearts #musicaltheatre #musical #sacredheartuniversity
~Exit From Falsettoland~
Marvin you have taught me so much in such a short amount of time. You are by far the biggest challenge I have ever faced and I couldn’t be more grateful for you having been apart of my life. Falsettos was one of the most educational and emotional experiences of my theatre career and I’m blessed to have been able to tell this story.
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~What Would I Do If You Had Not Been My Friend~
#falsettos #shutheatrearts
Welcome to Falsettoland! 🎟Tickets are going fast...
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Performance Dates:
October 24 - October 27
October 31 - November 3
edgertoncenter.org
falsettosbway shutheatrearts sacredheartuniversity shubigred #littletheater #blackbox #rollpios #shutheatrearts #falsettos #tightknitfamily #sacredheartuniversity #fairfield #conneticut #theatre #weareshu
London, calling!🇬🇧 Members of our Repertory Theatre Company had a wonderful spring break traveling across the pond for a taste of theatre in the West End!
#weareshu #shutheatrearts #shuperformingarts #london #westend #repcompany #theatre
Lil Red clearly didn’t get the memo ... on Wednesdays, we wear pink! #SHU’s pre-fall program Behind the Curtain took a trip to see #MeanGirls on Broadway today!
#WeAreSHU #SacredHeartUniversity #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink shutheatrearts #SHUTheatreArts #SHUPerformingArts #Broadway #NYC #MeanGirlsOnBroadway
Thank you to everyone that voted for “The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later” for Broadway World's "Best Ensemble Performance in a Play.” 🎭 We are so proud of the cast and crew of this incredible production! Congratulations! 🎉 #SHUtheatrearts #play #thelaramieprojecttenyearslater #ItsStillHappening #sacredheartuniversity #broadwayworld #SHUnation #gopios #rollneers
Who run the world?? 👑
Rehearsals are underway for our all-female production of Richard III. “The king's name is the tower of strength.” Not all kings are men. Link in Bio! #WomenRule #shutheatrearts
#girlpower #shunation #pionation #rollneers #weareSHU #sacredheartuniversity #shakeupshakespeare
Lil Red clearly didn’t get the memo ... on Wednesdays, we wear pink! #SHU’s pre-fall program Behind the Curtain took a trip to see #MeanGirls on Broadway today!
#WeAreSHU #SacredHeartUniversity #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink shutheatrearts #SHUTheatreArts #SHUPerformingArts #Broadway #NYC #MeanGirlsOnBroadway
When your fantastic shutheatrearts program gets a handwritten letter from the incomparable #LinManuelMiranda ... #Casual #WeAreSHU #InTheHeights #SHUTheatreArts #SacredHeartUniversity #WhatIsLife
She is the most beautiful friend of mine both inside and out!! 💕 love you so much Allie!! #TAPmas #shutheatrearts #senioryear
Thank you so much Eddie Foy III for coming to SHU and taking time to talk with us about what it is like in the entertainment industry and for providing us with so much important and interesting information that we will carry with us!! I will never forget what you said about how important it is to have passion and to always be passionate in everything we do!!! I am so happy that I got to meet you today!!! 😊 #shutheatrearts #thebestinthebusiness shutheatrearts
I am so thankful for my theatre family at SHU!!!! I love all of you more than anything!! Thank you for this award it makes me smile and very happy!!!!! 😊😊 ❤️❤️ #shutheatrearts
COME SEE THE SHOW THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS AT SHU THIS WEEKEND THURSDAY-SATURDAY AT 8pm AND SUNDAY AT 3pm IN THE EDGERTON THEATRE!!!! YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT!!! #shuchickenranch #shutheatrearts
In collaboration with Connecticut Children’s Theatre, Sacred Heart University Theatre Arts Program students perform Pinocchio for local school children at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts. #shutheatrearts #WeAreSHU
It’s a wrap for our first National Playwright Competition winner, brieleftwich! The reading was funny and the talkback so insightful. We love encouraging young voices!
#WeAreSHU #SHUTheatreArts #SacredHeARTUniversity #Repost shutheatrearts
#SHUTheatreArts opened its production of #AvenueQ tonight in The Little Theatre. Check out this hilarious* musical running 7/13-15, 20-22, and 27-29 at 8:00pm and Sundays, 7/16, 23, and 30 at 3:00pm. *Not for the little ones.
#WeAreSHU #SHU #SacredHeARTUniversity