You don’t get stage fright. The stage is afraid of you—and your amazing talent. You don’t leave a room; you exit. You love every aspect of the theater and can’t spend enough time in one. You tell people to break a leg instead of wishing them good luck, and you never, ever mention a certain Scottish play. Sound like you? You might be the perfect candidate for Buffalo State College’s Theater Program.
“Everywhere there are social issues that connect us,” said theater major Rebecca Cannizzaro, '15. “It’s so important to not only be able to make those connections, but also to work toward solutions to problems that exist everywhere. We’re all people, after all.”
Eve Everette, '09, assistant director of the Anne Frank Project (AFP), partnered with the Counseling Center and the Equity and Campus Diversity Office to present “Story Night: Exploring Events Through Story-building” in spring 2017. “This is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to dive into big issues together, such as bullying and suicide. We want it to be a forum for people to examine issues they really care about.”
Buffalo State’s Theater Department strives to introduce aspiring performing artists to all aspects of the theater and entertainment industries. Students learn a variety of skills related to all aspects of theater, from acting to set-building, from directing to costume design. The rigorous training our students receive prepares them for the professional standards they will encounter in theaters, studios, and TV stations once they graduate. In addition, students will develop skills in teamwork, time management, self-advocacy, creating budgets, creativity, verbal and written communications, leadership, research, civic engagement, peer mentoring, diplomacy, and critical thinking.
Along with what we’ve already mentioned, what makes Buffalo State’s program a great choice for theater majors? Here are just a few of the reasons:
At Buffalo State, we believe that the best way to learn is by doing. Our theater program is designed to give students multiple experiences and opportunities both in and outside of the classroom. Applied learning experiences include professional internships, community outreach projects, involvement with arts-related organizations, teaching at local elementary and high schools, and on-the-job experiences. Below are just a few ways theater majors can get involved:
Students have the chance to do summer research fellowships and work with faculty in such areas as design and costuming. Some projects have included interdisciplinary work and capstone writing and performance projects. Many students participate in Buffalo State’s Student Research and Creativity Conference each year.
Students are also encouraged to pursue internships with local, regional and national theaters. Theaters in which students have interned include:
Our theater program prepares students for a wide variety of careers both on and off the stage. Students who want to work in theater usually find a job within six months. Common job titles for theater graduates include:
Our graduates have been hired by a range of local and national theaters, organizations, and companies including
Some students use the skills they developed in the theater major in professions seemingly unrelated to theater. Graduates have told us that they’re better business leaders, educators, communication professionals, and attorneys because they’ve studied the human condition through our theater program. They’ve learned how to articulate clearly, how to empathize with others, and how to deliver a message with panache.
