Theatre

About this Area

Seize the opportunity to develop your artistic voice through immersive training, creative collaboration and hands-on production experience in one of Cornish’s BFAs, BA or minors. Whether your interests are in acting, musical theatre, stage management or bringing performances to life behind the scenes, you'll learn from experienced faculty while working on mainstage productions, original works and interdisciplinary projects. Throughout your studies, you'll build technical expertise, strengthen your collaborative skills and gain professional experience through internships and connections within Seattle's thriving theatre community.

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Program Offerings

Discover Theatre Degree Programs

Choose a path that lets you develop your craft through performance, production, creative collaboration and hands-on experience. No matter where you are in your artistic journey, you can find a theater program that builds your skills, nurtures your creative voice and prepares you for a career on stage, behind the scenes or beyond.

Fall 2027 Majors & MinorsTransfer Applicants & Current Students

Beginning in Fall 2027, you can explore flexible degree pathways within the Cornish Theatre Department. If you would like to transfer into any of these programs in Fall 2027, please speak with your advisor to ensure a smooth transition.

Theatre, BA

Explore performance, production and theatre studies while building a broad foundation in the performing arts and the flexibility to pursue your unique creative and academic interests.

Theatre, Specialization in Acting and Original Works BFA & Minor

Train as an actor through immersive performance instruction, collaborative creation and opportunities to develop and produce original works, while creating a portfolio of work to launch into a creative career.

Theatre, Specialization in Design and Production BFA and Minor

Bring stories to life through immersive training in theatrical design, hands-on production experience and collaborative projects that prepare you for a career behind the scenes in costumes, sound, lighting or scene design.

Theatre, Specialization in Musical Theatre BFA

Refine your talents in acting, singing and dance while performing in productions, creating original work and building the skills needed for a successful career in musical theatre.

Theatre, Specialization in Stage Management BFA and Minor

Build the leadership and technical skills to coordinate every aspect of a production, from rehearsals to opening night, through immersive training and professional production experience.

Apply for Fall 2027

Whether you’re hoping to transfer to Cornish or are already enrolled at Cornish College of Arts at Seattle University, here are the many ways you can study art during the 2026/2027 academic year.

Acting & Original Works, BFA

Build a foundation in acting, directing and playwriting as you create original performances, collaborate across artistic disciplines and prepare for careers in theater, film and other creative industries.

Interdisciplinary Arts, Theatre, BA

Explore the connections between theater and other artistic disciplines as you design a personalized course of study that combines performance with fields such as music, visual art or production to match your career goals.

Musical Theater, BFA

Train as a versatile musical theater artist through immersive instruction in performance, musicianship and choreography while gaining real-world experience on stage and in Seattle’s professional theater community.

Performance Production, BFA

Turn creative ideas into unforgettable performances as you gain specialized experience in scenic, costume and lighting design or stage management while collaborating on productions from concept to opening night.

Theatre, BA

Develop your skills through hands-on training in acting, directing, design and production while gaining real-world experience through mainstage performances, student productions and internships with Seattle’s vibrant theater community.

Apply for the 2026/2027 Year

Application Process

See What’s Required to Apply

Choosing a college is about finding the program that best supports your goals. At Cornish, we look for students who are passionate about their area of study and eager to grow.

Learn More About the Application Process

All applicants must submit a Seattle University application, application fee or approved waiver, recommendations, and a writing sample. Review the specific requirements for your Cornish program before you apply.

How to Apply

See Audition Requirements

If you’re applying to a BFA program, you’ll submit an audition or portfolio as part of your application. Auditions and portfolios give Cornish the opportunity to see your artistic interests, potential and commitment to your creative practice. We encourage you to come to campus if an audition is required, but if that is not possible, you can also submit a video audition. Portfolios have varying requirements depending on specialty. BA theatre degree applicants do not have to participate in the audition process.

Theatre Performance Audition Requirements Musical Theatre Performance Audition Requirements Stage Management Portfolio Requirements Design and Production Portfolio Requirements

Theatre

Faculty + Staff

Dedicated to mentoring the next generation of creatives, Cornish faculty combine extensive professional expertise with a passion for teaching students how to develop the skills, confidence and vision to succeed in the arts.