Develop your unique voice and artistic vision as you begin your journey to a life in the theater.
At Adelphi, you’ll join one of the country’s top performing arts colleges, built to prepare you for a rewarding career in the performing arts.
In Adelphi’s theatre department, you’ll work with our exceptional theatre faculty of professional actors, directors, and designers—including mentors who inspired Broadway legend Jonathan Larson ’82, creator of RENT—to sharpen your craft and build the skills to launch a career in theatre, film, or television. You can concentrate in acting or design/technology, but our flexible theatre degree program allows you to explore directing and playwriting. Whatever you choose, you’ll develop creative thinking, empathy, and collaborative skills that spell success in the performing arts and beyond.
Just minutes from New York City, Adelphi gives students access to world-class performances and industry professionals on campus and in the city, offering exposure, networking, and a front-row seat to the professional arts world.
The theater department has helped craft me into the diverse artist I am today, and it gave me the confidence and support to pursue my passion. Adelphi is my foundation and has truly been my home for the last four years.
Sophia Carvalho ’22
BFA in Acting
Student Opportunities and Hands-On Learning
Professional Relationships and Internships
Leading New York theatre companies—including New York Theatre Workshop, Fiasco Theater, Lincoln Center Theater, and Irish Repertory Theatre—offer Adelphi theatre students unique chances to collaborate with industry professionals. Through internships with these organizations, students gain valuable hands-on experience and insight into the creation of new productions.
Take Your Theatre Education Global
Join a faculty-led, 10-day journey to London, the world’s theater capital. Perfect for theatre and acting students, this study abroad experience immerses you in the vibrant arts scene through lectures, guided tours, and tickets to seven world-class shows.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Get involved, build connections, and grow your skills through theatre groups, honor societies, or even by starting your own club.
Creative Exploration and Innovation
Creative work is at the heart of your theatre education at Adelphi. Our faculty lead projects that challenge students to push boundaries, experiment with new forms and engage with pressing artistic and social themes.
As a student and theater artist you will have the opportunity:
- Develop original plays or performance pieces
- Design innovative sets, costumes or lighting
- Explore new approaches to directing, scripts analysis and development
- Collaborate on ensemble-based projects
- Experiment with multimedia, sound design or digital storytelling
You’ll have opportunities to present your work at Adelphi’s annual Scholarship and Creative Works Conference, as well as on-campus performances, festivals and regional theater conferences—helping you build your portfolio and grow your professional network.
Adelphi’s SPARK Center (Scholars Pursuing Arts, Research and Knowledge) supports undergraduate artists with project funding, mentorship and resources to bring theatrical ideas to life.
High School Programs
High school students can take part in theater activities at Adelphi, where they’ll get hands-on experience and see what college-level performing arts are like. Through workshops and event-style programs, students explore acting, stagecraft, and other aspects of theatre while working with faculty and current students.
