Medea set

Medea Stage

About

Welcome to our department's "About" page!  We are a dynamic team of educators committed to providing an exceptional experience for all our students.  We're a small but mighty team with big goals.  We know that every student has the potential to achieve great things and we take a personalized approach to meet the specific needs of each student.

We believe hands-on experiences set the stage for success in the professional world. Our students engage in a wide range of hands-on projects and activities, giving them the opportunity to apply what they've learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios.  We support our students' learning and engagement by coordinating professional opportunities with area theaters and dance companies, providing access to mentorships and internships, and ensuring access to hands-on experience on our productions starting in their very first semester. 

We are committed to artistry, pushing boundaries, and fostering diversity, equity, and compassion in everything we do. We believe theater is an incredibly powerful medium to inspire change and make a real difference in the world.  Whether you're interested in acting, directing, dance, playwriting, stage management, design, or any other aspect of theater, we're here to support you every step of the way. So come join us and discover what it means to be a part of a community that's truly dedicated to your success!

Why Theater at Buffalo State?

Naila Ansari

Accomplished Faculty

Our theater faculty have earned degrees from well-known and respected graduate schools and continue to engage in professional development. Many continue to work in professional theaters and present at conferences across the globe.

Faculty Directory

Actors doing table work

Active Alumni

Our alumni understand the unique value of theater and dance—its contributions to society today and throughout history, in our culture, and across the globe. They are involved in all aspects of the theater.

Alumni Stories

mentor program group photo

Mentorship Opportunities

Our programs help students develop a critical curiosity to continue to expand their knowledge and discern information as engaged citizens.

The study of theater complements many different disciplines and will help you with any career path.

Our Programs

Intimate Apparel

Innovative Spaces

Our innovative student productions make use of state-of-the-art performance halls, rehearsal spaces, and studios on campus.

Our Spaces

Accreditation and Assessment

Accreditation

Our theater program has been accredited since 2005 by the National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST). NAST establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for theatre and theatre-related disciplines

Find Your Program

Assessment

Programmatic assessment of student learning demonstrates that students have appropriate knowledge, skills, and competencies in their chosen discipline.

Assessment begins with a plan that clearly states learning outcomes for the program along with how and when these outcomes will be assessed on a continuous cycle. 

A curriculum map aligns these learning outcomes with required courses in the program that introduce, reinforce, and show mastery of the outcomes as a student progresses towards graduation.

Taken together, all of this information provides a basis for assessment of student achievement and continuous improvement.

Academic Roadmap 2023 (PDF)

Curriculum Roadmap 2020 (PDF)

Theater Program Assessment Rubric 2020 (PDF)

Theater Program Assessment Plan 2020 (PDF)

Our Mission

Strengthened by our unique urban setting and diverse cultural community, Buffalo State theater provides intensive individual artistic training supported by a robust liberal arts education. 

Our Vision

Through the vehicles of engagement, excellence, and social responsibility we strive to develop the next generation of globally impactful artists and citizens.

Awards and Scholarships

SUNY Awards

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching
Maureen A. Porter, M.A., 2021

Distinguished Service
Drew Kahn, Professor, 2018

President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Drew Kahn, 2006

Equity and Diversity Special Program Recognition Award
Buffalo State Theater Department

Student Awards

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence

2019: Zhanna E. Reed, Bachelor of Arts, Arts and Letters

2012: Gabriella Moreno, Bachelor of Arts, Arts and Letters

2008: LaToya E. Codner, Bachelor of Arts, Theater

Scholarships

The Lucille and Jack Yellen Scholarship in Dance,  Est. 2012

McCarthy-Eskew Scholarship for Theater, Est. 2007

Fay Northrup Theater Scholarship in Design, Est.2009

Horace Mann Theater Arts Student Scholarship, Est. 2012

Dr. Joseph A. Grande and Marguerite R. Grande Theater Scholarship

Donald Savage Scholarship for College Actors of Promise, Est. 2005

Terrence McDonald Theater Scholarship

Department Awards

Dean’s Award for Excellence (for School of Arts and Sciences)

Mina Goossen Award

Michael Dominico Award

Donald J. Savage Award