Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
This one-year postbaccalaureate certificate in Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft teaches practical and theoretical skills in theatre production, preparing students for entry-level roles in the performing arts industry.
About
This certificate is designed for students who have completed a bachelor's degree and want to deepen their knowledge in drama, theatre arts, and stagecraft. It offers focused training on both the creative and technical aspects of theatre production. The program is suitable for those aiming to work behind the scenes or on stage in various theatre settings.
- The certificate lasts one year and is offered in the United States.
- It targets graduates who want specialized skills beyond their undergraduate studies.
- Students learn about acting techniques, stage design, and technical theatre.
- The program prepares for roles such as stage manager or theatre technician.
- It can also serve as a stepping stone to advanced studies in performing arts.
What you study
The curriculum combines theory and hands-on practice to develop comprehensive theatre skills. Students progress through modules that cover various aspects of drama and stagecraft, with an emphasis on practical experience.
- Core subjects include acting methods, lighting design, set construction, and theatre history.
- Workshops and labs provide regular practical sessions to apply learned techniques.
- Students often collaborate on production projects to simulate real theatre environments.
- The program encourages teamwork and problem-solving in stage management and technical roles.
- Assessment typically involves performances, technical portfolios, and written assignments.
How to get in
Admission requires a completed bachelor's degree, reflecting the postbaccalaureate level of the certificate. The process is managed by individual institutions, often requiring an application and supporting materials.
- Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Some programs may request a portfolio or audition to assess artistic skills.
- Admission procedures include submitting transcripts and letters of recommendation.
- Candidates with backgrounds in theatre or related fields are preferred but not always mandatory.
- The selection aims to identify motivated students ready for specialized theatre training.
Day to day
The academic year involves a mix of classes, workshops, and collaborative projects. Students engage actively in practical work to build stagecraft skills and theatrical understanding.
- Weekly schedules combine lectures and hands-on labs focused on theatre production.
- Students participate in group projects such as staging scenes or designing sets.
- Some programs may offer opportunities for internships or work experience in local theatres.
- The workload balances creative practice with theoretical study and technical training.
- Students often work closely with faculty and peers to prepare for public performances or showcases.
Careers this degree leads to
Graduates can find entry-level positions in various areas of theatre and performing arts. The certificate equips students with skills valued by companies involved in live productions.
- Possible jobs include stage technician, assistant stage manager, and production assistant.
- Theatre companies, event production firms, and cultural institutions are typical employers.
- The performing arts sector values practical experience and technical knowledge gained through such programs.
- Employment often involves contract or project-based work, requiring flexibility.
- The certificate can also support further training to advance in creative or technical theatre careers.
Careers after further study
These careers require a higher level of study than this degree.
Continuing your studies
After completing this certificate, students may continue their education or explore related fields. The program can open doors to advanced degrees or professional development.
- Graduates may pursue master's degrees in theatre arts or performing arts management.
- Some choose to specialize further in areas like directing or technical design.
- Others may explore related creative fields such as film production or event management.
- The certificate provides foundational skills useful for reorienting within the arts sector.
Where to study this degree (200)
Liste des 200 établissements
- Bard CollegeAnnandale-On-Hudson
- Bryn Mawr CollegeBryn Mawr
- Vermont Technical CollegeRandolph
- University of Saint MaryLeavenworth
- Morningside CollegeSioux City
- Notre Dame de Namur UniversityBelmont
- Graceland UniversityLamoni
- Francis Marion UniversityFlorence
- Minot State UniversityMinot
- Monmouth UniversityWest Long Branch
- Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish
- Naropa UniversityBoulder
- Southeastern UniversityLakeland
- Columbus State UniversityColumbus
- University of Missouri–St. LouisSaint Louis
- Rockland Community CollegeSuffern
- Davidson CollegeDavidson
- Eastern Mennonite UniversityHarrisonburg
- Galveston CollegeGalveston
- Walla Walla UniversityCollege Place
- Juniata CollegeHuntingdon
- San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton
- Paine CollegeAugusta
- University of Virginia's College at WiseWise
- Thomas More UniversityCrestview Hills
- Trinity Valley Community CollegeAthens
- Charleston Southern UniversityCharleston
- Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington
- Bunker Hill Community CollegeBoston
- Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityTeaneck
- Centenary College of New JerseyHackettstown
- North Carolina Central UniversityDurham
- Eureka CollegeEureka
- Fontbonne UniversitySaint Louis
- New York UniversityNew York
- American Musical and Dramatic AcademyNew York
- Savannah College of Art and DesignSavannah
- Texas State UniversitySan Marcos
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles
- Columbia College ChicagoChicago
- Purchase CollegePurchase
- New York Conservatory for Dramatic ArtsNew York
- Marymount Manhattan CollegeNew York
- Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles
- New York Film AcademyBurbank
- American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los AngelesLos Angeles
- Muhlenberg CollegeAllentown
- Chapman UniversityOrange
- Emerson CollegeBoston
- DePaul UniversityChicago
- California State University, FullertonFullerton
- University of California-IrvineIrvine
- University of North Carolina School of the ArtsWinston Salem
- Northwestern UniversityEvanston
- University of Central FloridaOrlando
- California State University, Long BeachLong Beach
- American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New YorkNew York
- Florida State UniversityTallahassee
- Ball State UniversityMuncie
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia
- New SchoolNew York
- Berklee College of MusicBoston
- Montclair State UniversityMontclair
- Valencia CollegeOrlando
- University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh
- Long Island UniversityBrookville
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles
- James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg
- Columbia UniversityNew York
- Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta Rosa
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse
- University of CincinnatiCincinnati
- University of Notre DameNotre Dame
- Pace UniversityNew York
- University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla
- University of the ArtsPhiladelphia
- Full Sail UniversityWinter Park
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin
- Illinois State UniversityNormal
- University of IowaIowa City
- Kent State University at KentKent
- Ithaca CollegeIthaca
- SUNY FredoniaFredonia
- Point Park UniversityPittsburgh
- University of FloridaGainesville
- University of Northern ColoradoGreeley
- Roosevelt UniversityChicago
- Boston UniversityBoston
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor
- Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville
- University of Nevada, Las VegasLas Vegas
- Shenandoah UniversityWinchester
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego
- Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights
- Mary Baldwin UniversityStaunton
- Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond
- University of UtahSalt Lake City
- Western Washington UniversityBellingham
- Coastal Carolina UniversityConway
- University of New OrleansNew Orleans
- University of IdahoMoscow
- KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic ArtsDallas
- California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge
- University of North TexasDenton
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- Yale UniversityNew Haven
- University of OklahomaNorman
- Ohio University LancasterAthens
- Wagner CollegeStaten Island
- Towson UniversityTowson
- Southern Oregon UniversityAshland
- Millikin UniversityDecatur
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- Elon UniversityElon
- The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington
- University of ArizonaTucson
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco
- Oklahoma City UniversityOklahoma City
- Hofstra UniversityHempstead
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe
- University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park
- Stephen F. Austin State UniversityNacogdoches
- Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington
- City College of New YorkNew York
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo
- California Institute of the ArtsValencia
- Brigham Young UniversityProvo
- Virginia TechBlacksburg
- Citrus CollegeGlendora
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg
- California State University Los AngelesLos Angeles
- SUNY New PaltzNew Paltz
- Molloy CollegeRockville Centre
- Fordham UniversityBronx
- George Mason UniversityFairfax
- Illinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara
- Northern Illinois UniversityDeKalb
- California State University, San BernardinoSan Bernardino
- DeSales UniversityCenter Valley
- Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth
- Neighborhood Playhouse School of the TheaterNew York City
- University of AlabamaTuscaloosa
- Western Connecticut State UniversityDanbury
- Regent UniversityVirginia Beach
- Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park
- Florida International UniversityMiami
- Dean CollegeFranklin
- Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw
- California State University, SacramentoSacramento
- West Virginia UniversityMorgantown
- Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee
- University of Wisconsin–Stevens PointStevens Point
- Baylor UniversityWaco
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana
- Wright State UniversityDayton
- Rowan UniversityGlassboro
- Appalachian State UniversityBoone
- Webster UniversitySaint Louis
- California State Polytechnic UniversityPomona
- Nazareth CollegeRochester
- Florida Southern CollegeLakeland
- Moorpark CollegeMoorpark
- Santa Monica CollegeSanta Monica
- Hunter CollegeNew York
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte
- University of Colorado BoulderBoulder
- University of HoustonHouston
- University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley
- University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasSan Juan
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg
- University of Illinois ChicagoChicago
- University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg
- University of Central OklahomaEdmond
- University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham
- University at BuffaloBuffalo
- Missouri State UniversitySpringfield
- New York City College of TechnologyBrooklyn
- Utah Valley UniversityOrem
- The University of MontanaMissoula
- Northwestern State UniversityNatchitoches
- East Carolina UniversityGreenville
- Baldwin Wallace UniversityBerea
- Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityLincoln
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge
- University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee
- University of MemphisMemphis
- CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York
- Utah State UniversityLogan
- Wayne State UniversityDetroit
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- University of Rhode IslandKingston
- College of CharlestonCharleston
- Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie
- Diablo Valley CollegePleasant Hill
- Los Angeles Film SchoolHollywood
- CUNY Queens CollegeQueens
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for this certificate?
Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree. Programs may prefer candidates with some background in theatre or related fields.
Is practical experience part of the training?
Yes, the program includes workshops, labs, and production projects to develop hands-on skills in theatre arts and stagecraft.
Can this certificate lead to a career on stage?
While it focuses on both performance and technical roles, it mainly prepares students for behind-the-scenes positions but can support acting skills development.
Are internships included in the program?
Some programs may offer or encourage internships or work placements in local theatres to gain real-world experience.
Is this certificate recognized in the US education system?
Yes, it is a recognized postbaccalaureate certificate at EQF level 6, offered by accredited US institutions.
Can I continue my studies after this certificate?
Graduates can pursue advanced degrees in theatre arts or related fields, or specialize further in technical or managerial theatre roles.
Is the program full-time or part-time?
Typically, the certificate is completed in one year of full-time study, combining classes and practical work.
Does the program include courses on theatre history?
Yes, theatre history and theory are part of the curriculum to provide context for practical skills.
































