The Acting and Directing minor introduces you to the fundamentals of performance, directing and theatrical storytelling while complementing a wide range of majors. Through courses in acting, voice, movement and directing, you’ll build confidence as a performer, strengthen your communication and collaboration skills, and gain practical experience bringing creative work to life. Whether you plan to pursue theatre professionally or apply these skills in another field, the minor provides a strong foundation in performance and creative leadership.

• Acting: A variety of techniques that can be easily accessed when performing in period pieces, contemporary plays, and improvisation works.
• Voice and Speech: Training in vocal power, dialects, voiceover and speech for performance.
• Movement: Physical theater, stage combat, viewpoints, clown, burlesque, devising, and movement for actors.
• Dramatic Writing: Playwriting, screenwriting, and innovative original works.
• Directing and Producing: Fundamentals and foundations in directing, creative collaboration, and Senior Thesis production management.
• Theater History & Theory: Research in the historical and theoretical contexts of theater and performance.
• Professional Practices: Audition techniques, career management, and networking in the performing arts industries.

• The Acting & Original Works specialization is designed to cultivate versatile actors and innovative creators. Students receive comprehensive training in acting techniques, voice, movement, and dramatic writing, while also developing skills in devising original works. The program emphasizes performance, collaboration, and professional development, preparing students for dynamic careers in theater, film, game arts, and beyond.
• Students participate in main stage performances, create original works, and collaborate on directing and producing projects, culminating in a Senior Thesis in their final year. Additionally, students can act in student films produced by Cornish Film peers and can collaborate with their Game Arts and Animation peers in creating voiced characters in animations and video games.