Choosing the Right Theatre Program for You: Part 1 - Should You Major in Theatre?
Lewis & Clark College
by Chris Peterson
Choosing a college major can feel huge, and if you are drawn to theatre, it can feel especially personal. That is why I am launching a friendly, step-by-step series to help you make a confident, informed choice. I have lived on both sides of this: I majored in theatre and later built a career in higher education, so I understand the excitement of training for the stage and the reality of navigating applications, auditions, and campus life.
Together we will slow things down and walk through the whole journey: how to identify programs that fit your goals and learning style, build a smart school list, weigh costs and scholarships, understand training approaches, prepare materials, and plan visits. We will also talk about red flags in the admission process, such as glossy promises without outcomes data, pressure to deposit early, hidden fees, extra costs for performance opportunities, or limited production slots. My aim is to be a calm, honest guide so you can choose a path that feels right for you, not just right on paper.
Part 1 - Should You Major in Theatre?
But before you even begin filling out applications or signing up for auditions, it is worth pausing to ask yourself why you want to major in theatre in the first place. Not why you love theatre, since that part is often obvious. Instead, why do you feel that dedicating four years(or more) of college to training in this art form is the best next step for you? Below are five questions I encourage every student to sit with. Think of them as gentle self-checks rather than pass or fail tests.
“Do I love the process as much as the performance?”
It is easy to fall in love with applause. Stepping into the spotlight, hearing the audience react, feeling the rush of performance, all of that is intoxicating. But here is the truth: a theatre major is about ninety percent process and only about ten percent product. Most of your college days will be spent in rehearsal rooms, script analysis sessions, design studios, or acting classes. You will be memorizing lines late at night, running warm-ups at eight in the morning, or troubleshooting technical issues hours before an audience ever sees the show.
Ask yourself honestly: do you find joy in the messy, repetitive, sometimes frustrating process of building something with other people? Do you like doing the work even when no one is watching? Because in college theatre, the process is the point. The production you invite your family to see might run for three or four performances, but the six weeks of rehearsal that led up to it will be where most of your growth happens. If that excites you, you are on the right track.
“Am I prepared to face rejection and keep going?”
Theatre is competitive, and the truth is you will hear “no” more often than “yes.” That starts in college: you may not get cast in every production, you might not be placed in your dream role, and sometimes you will have to work on crew or understudy. Later in your career, auditions can feel like endless cycles of rejection.
The question is not whether you can avoid rejection, it is how you will handle it. Will you take “no” as a dead end, or as an opportunity to refocus, grow, and try again? College is a safe place to build resilience. If you can practice hearing “not this time” without losing your sense of self-worth, you will be developing one of the most important muscles any theatre artist needs.
“Do I want theatre to be my career, my passion, or both?”
There is no wrong answer here, but being honest matters. Some students enter theatre programs expecting to graduate into Broadway contracts or major film roles. That does happen for some, but for many others, the degree becomes part of a larger creative life. Some graduates teach, some become arts administrators, some transition into related fields such as communications or design, and some simply carry their love of theatre into community or semi-professional spaces while building other careers.
Before you commit to majoring in theatre, ask yourself: do I see this primarily as my career path, or as a passion I want to cultivate while remaining open to other directions? Both are valid, and many people end up somewhere in the middle. Knowing your own motivation will help you choose the right kind of program. For example, a conservatory-style BFA program might be ideal if you are aiming for a professional acting career, while a BA program with room for double majors could be perfect if you want to blend theatre with another interest.
“Am I curious about all aspects of theatre, not just the part I shine in?”
In high school, most theatre lovers spend the majority of their time acting. But in college, theatre majors are exposed to the full ecosystem of the art form: directing, dramaturgy, stage management, design, lighting, sound, costuming, theatre history, and theory. Even if you are certain you are an actor, you will be asked to learn the vocabulary of these areas and often take classes in them.
The best theatre students I have met are the ones who stay curious. They discover that understanding lighting helps them act more effectively, or that a class in playwriting opens up their sense of storytelling. And sometimes, students who came in certain they were actors discover their true calling as directors, stage managers, or designers. Being open to the full scope of theatre does not dilute your passion, it deepens it.
“Do I thrive in collaboration?”
Theatre is not a solo sport. Every production is built by a group of people with different visions, ideas, and working styles. In college, you will be in classes, rehearsals, and production meetings with peers who challenge you, professors who push you, and sometimes collaborators who frustrate you.
Ask yourself: do I like being part of a team? Can I handle compromise? Can I advocate for my ideas while still leaving room for others? Theatre majors who succeed in college are not always the most talented performers. They are the ones who show up prepared, listen well, and contribute to the ensemble. If you thrive in collaboration, you will thrive in a theatre program.
If you sit with, at least, these five questions and find yourself nodding, excited, and maybe even a little nervous, that is a good sign. A theatre major is not an easy path, but for the right student, it is deeply rewarding. College theatre will stretch you, humble you, and if you love the process, it will also give you a lifelong toolkit for creativity, resilience, and collaboration.
And here is the best part: this is only step one. Over the coming weeks, we will dig into everything else that comes with choosing a theatre program, such as how to decide which schools belong on your list, what red flags to watch for in the admission process, how to prepare audition materials, how to evaluate faculty and facilities, and how to think realistically about cost and outcomes. By the end, my hope is that you will feel not only more prepared but more confident in your own reasons for pursuing theatre.
Because at the end of the day, this is not about chasing someone else’s idea of success. It is about you, your passion, your goals, and your future. And if theatre is where your heart is, asking these questions now will help you step onto the stage with clarity and confidence.