Why Theater at Buffalo State?
Get hands-on experience from your first semester while learning from professional artists in one of the country's most vibrant theater communities.
The Theater Department focuses on providing learning and engagement by coordinating professional opportunities, networking, and access to the area's theater, film, and dance communities.
Expert Faculty
Our faculty have earned degrees from well-known and respected graduate schools and continue to work professionally.
Active Alumni
Our alumni leverage the skills learned at Buffalo State by contributing meaningfully to their communities at the local, national, and international levels. They are working in and involved with a never-ending variety of roles in the world of theater.
Real-World Mentorship
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.
Professional Spaces
Our innovative student productions make use of state-of-the-art performance halls, rehearsal spaces, and studios on campus.
Who Hires Our Students?
- Theaters and Performing Arts Centers
- Film and Television Production Companies
- Event Planning and Production Agencies
- Design and Fabrication Shops
- Schools and Universities
- Sales and Human Resources Firms
- Non-profit Cultural Organizations
- Marketing and Public Relations Firms
- Everyone!
What can I do with a degree in Stage and Screen Arts from Buffalo State?
Nationally, about 22% of arts graduates work primarily in core arts occupations, while 75% work in fields that use arts- or design-related skills. At Buffalo State, our graduates go even further, with career outcomes that exceed these national averages.
Our program prepares students for a wide variety of careers in stage and screen:
- Actor/Performer
- Agent
- Arts Reviewer
- Choreographer
- Costume Designer
- Dance Teacher
- Dancer
- Director
- Front-of-House Manager
- Lighting Technician
- Makeup Artist
- Producer
- Props Manager
- Pyrotechnic Engineer
- Script Writer (Film, TV)
- Set Designer
- Set Manager
- Sound Engineer
- Special Effects Producer
- Stage Manager
- Vocal Coach
- Wardrobe Assistant
Not all graduates go on to stage careers. One of the strengths of a stage and screen arts degree is that students develop skills in performance, production, collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and creative thinking that are valuable in a wide range of careers.
Buffalo State theater graduates can pursue opportunities in the arts and entertainment industries, but they also bring those skills to careers in education, media, communications, business, event production, nonprofit organizations, and many other fields.
Our graduates find careers in:
- Corporate and Communication Roles
- Creative and Production Roles
- Management and Technical Tracks
About Buffalo State Theater
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 each student's specific needs.
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 for inspiring change and making 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!
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.