Theater

About
Programs

Fred Duer, MFA, Chair
Tomlinson Theater 210A
215-204-2804
fmduer@temple.edu

Peter Reynolds, MFA, Assistant Chair
Tomlinson Theater 210B
215-204-8628
peterr@temple.edu

Department Office:
Tomlinson Theater 209
215-204-8414
https://tfma.temple.edu/theater

The Theater Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and is a member of the University Resident Theater Association (U/RTA). These affiliations characterize it as amongst an elite group of highly-recognized Theater Programs. The Theater Department was recently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 25 theater programs in the nation.

Temple Theaters has established itself as one of the finest theater training programs in the nation. The faculty are accomplished professionals and scholars who generously offer their expertise and great passion for the craft and creation of theater. As a theater department in the culturally rich city of Philadelphia, Temple University's Theater Department is immersed in and among some of the most important regional and national theaters in the country.

With both graduate and undergraduate programs, the Department of Theater offers countless opportunities for creative and academic collaboration between all levels. The Department offers a BA program which features strong professional concentrations in Acting, Directing, and Design and Production, a BFA in Musical Theater, a BFA in Technical Production and Management, and an accelerated +1 program in Theater Education that culminates in a BA in Theater and a M.Ed. in Secondary Education. In addition, Master of Fine Arts degrees are offered in Acting, Design, Directing, Playwriting, and Musical Theater Collaboration. The graduate program has distinguished itself as one of the foremost theater training and performance institutions in the nation, and as an important contributor to the Philadelphia theater landscape.

The production program is at the center of the pedagogy, serving as a creative laboratory for experiential learning across disciplines. Temple Theaters offers a full season of productions each year, bringing exciting, contemporary theater to a diverse audience. Temple Theaters has been noted for premiering many new works for Philadelphians as well as producing vital stagings of classic works. Past productions have included big musicals - Sunday in the Park with George, Ragtime, Spring Awakening; classic dramas - Romeo and Juliet, Our Town, Enemy of the People; new American plays - The Brother/Sister Plays, Reggie Hoops, Blood at the Root; and original devised works - In Conflict and Odd Girl Out.

The successful theater student graduates from our program with excellent communication and collaboration skills, a broad-based and substantive liberal arts background, developed abilities within the discipline of theater, a peerless commitment to achieving and appreciating artistic excellence, and a passion for life-long learning that will enable success in a wide variety of future endeavors. Our alumni are not only successful artists in theater and all of the entertainment industries, but they are also leaders in many other fields. We strive to graduate well-educated and enlightened "Citizen Artists" who possess the creative capacity and commitment to make a difference in the quality of community life regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.

Faculty Advising and Mentoring

Students in Theater and Film and Media Arts are advised by professional academic advisors and faculty advisors. Students make advising appointments in the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts Academic Advising Office located on the second floor of Mitten Hall, Suite 200 W. Consult the Directors of Undergraduate Affairs in Film and Media Arts or Theater for assignment to the appropriate advisor.

Academic advisors attempt to avoid errors when advising students about their program requirements, but schools and colleges cannot assume liability for errors in advising. Therefore, students must assume primary responsibility for knowing the requirements for their degree and for acquiring current information about their academic status.

Most students will be eligible to register for classes online via Self Service Banner through the TUportal. However, all students should meet with an advisor prior to the eligible registration period.

Students preparing to graduate must confer with an academic advisor to ensure degree completion. It is strongly recommended that students meet with an advisor in their junior year to complete a graduation review.