Howard Payne University’s Department of Theatre prepares students to become skilled and creative theatre artists through its Servant Artist Program. The program focuses on performance, production, and leadership while encouraging students to serve others and share Christ through excellence both on and off the stage.
Students gain practical experience by participating in a variety of theatre productions throughout the year. These opportunities may include musicals, comedies, tragedies, classical and modern works, children’s theatre, festival and touring theatre, devised drama, and religious drama. Through these experiences, students develop their abilities in acting, production, collaboration, creativity, and leadership while preparing for future opportunities in theatre and related fields.
Howard Payne University’s Department of Theatre provides students with hands-on opportunities to develop as performers, designers, directors, writers, technicians, and leaders. Centered around the Servant Artist Program, the department combines creativity, practical experience, and service to prepare students for a wide variety of opportunities in theatre and the performing arts.
From their first semester, students can participate both on stage and behind the scenes in musicals, dramas, comedies, children’s theatre, festivals, films, historical dramas, and other theatrical productions. Students develop skills in areas ranging from acting and dramatic literature to scene design, stagecraft, directing, and production management. These experiences allow students to explore different areas of theatre while discovering how their individual creative talents can contribute to collaborative productions.
Studying theatre at HPU allows students to turn their creativity into practical experience. Theatre students learn much more than performance—they develop communication, collaboration, problem-solving, leadership, technical, and creative skills that can prepare them for careers in theatre, film, education, ministry, and other creative fields.
HPU students experience many different aspects of theatrical production, including performing, designing, writing, building, managing, and directing. Through exposure to classical and modern dramatic literature, stage combat, technical theatre, scene design, and different styles of production, students can develop a broad range of skills while finding the areas of theatre that best match their interests and talents.
Rooted in Howard Payne University’s Christ-centered mission, the Department of Theatre’s Servant Artist Program is built on the principle that artistic talent can be used to serve others. Students are encouraged to pursue excellence in their craft while developing the character, leadership, and sense of responsibility needed to positively impact the people and communities around them.
Through performance, production, and service, students learn to connect their Christian faith with their work as theatre artists. The program challenges students to use their creativity with purpose, transforming ideas into words, words into actions, and actions into character while sharing Christ through excellence both on and off the stage.
For complete program requirements, course descriptions, academic policies, and degree information, please refer to the Howard Payne University Academic Catalog. The catalog provides the most current and comprehensive details to help you plan your academic journey, page 134-135; 241-242.
For complete program requirements, course descriptions, academic policies, and degree information, please refer to the Howard Payne University Academic Catalog. The catalog provides the most current and comprehensive details to help you plan your academic journey, page 134-135; 241-242.
Theatre Major .................................................................................... 27-30 Hours
For complete program requirements, course descriptions, academic policies, and degree information, please refer to the Howard Payne University Academic Catalog. The catalog provides the most current and comprehensive details to help you plan your academic journey, page 134-135; 241-242.
Theatre Minor .................................................................................... 15-21 Hours
For complete program requirements, course descriptions, academic policies, and degree information, please refer to the Howard Payne University Academic Catalog. The catalog provides the most current and comprehensive details to help you plan your academic journey, page 134-135; 241-242.
Program Insights
Acting
Education
Business
Church Leadership
Directing
Playwriting
Teaching Physical
Education & Coaching
Theatre majors and minors have the opportunity to graduate with a very long resume of acting, management, and directing roles in addition to multiple production crew assignments. The HPU Theatre program is small, ensuring that every theatre student is guaranteed to be an essential part of every production. HPU’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega – a national honorary fraternity for students who are passionate about theatre – is very active with a wide variety of events each year.
Alumni Testimonial
“The work of Dr. Humfeld and Dr. Ewen during my time in the Theatre program was invaluable. They taught me to lead with ‘a cool head and a warm heart.’ Whether you’re on a stage or in a classroom, you’re engaging an audience and you want them to walk out better and/or more informed than when they came in.”
Darren McElroy 11′
Scholarships
95% of HPU students receive financial aid.
We’re passionate about making your college experience financially accessible. Our dedicated Financial Aid team will work diligently with you to explore every available opportunity and help make your HPU education affordable.
