New program beginning Fall 2026!
Write all of the introduction content here. Only use NON
FULL-WIDTH block.
Full-Width blocks can be inserted
outside of this block and will wrap around the form. Form settings are located on page settings
(click
“Program” for page
settings in
right-hand sidebar.)
Write your contact information here and insert your embed form code in the Custom HTML block below
Start Creating from Day One
Miami’s B.A. in Performing Arts includes pathways in Theatre, Dance, and Entertainment Design and Technology. These are collaborative programs that prepare students to create, inhabit, lead, and operate complete performance worlds for today’s live and immersive performance industries. This degree is highly personalized with a low faculty-to-student ratio and includes rigorous production-driven and process-based courses and experiences that prepare artists and leaders to excel in the professional world.
Full course list coming soon!
Concentrations
Click below to view more information about each concentration.
Click on plus button at the bottom of this Accordion BLOCK (not accordion tab) to create a new tab. Select Accordion TAB block to edit tab headline. Select nested blocks within accordion tab to edit content.
-
Turn Your Passion for Dance into a Career
The dance concentration offers students the training to pursue the specialized skills necessary to engage in various aspects of the dance field. Students will complete courses in Modern, Ballet, and Jazz as well as Dance as Culture, Functional Anatomy, and more. Students will integrate this learning through dance concerts, informal showings, opportunities with guest artists, and more!
Dance Skills
Graduates of the Dance concentration will be able to:
- Move through different genres and styles of dance with anatomically based knowledge and experience with a deep understanding of the origin and history of the forms.
- Create unique dance works and movement pieces using sustainable work processes.
- Collaborate and communicate across disciplines and organizational styles to work toward a creative goal.
- Articulate best practices for sustainable dance making, and how to further strengthen and integrate dance into interdisciplinary and dance adjacent spaces.
Career Opportunities for Dance Graduates
- Artistic Director
- Choreographer
- Dance Administrator
- Dance Critic
- Dance Educator
- Dance Programming Coordinator
- Dance Producer
- Dance Studio Director
- Dancer
- Movement Coach
- Rehearsal Director
-
Where Technology Meets Live Storytelling
Miami’s Entertainment Design concentration prepares students to design and integrate the technologies that bring modern performance environments to life. Students learn to work with lighting systems, LED walls, projection mapping, media servers, and interactive control technologies used in theatre, concert touring, themed attractions, virtual production stages, and immersive installations.
Through hands-on production work, students gain experience designing, documenting, and deploying integrated performance systems that support storytelling and world-building. Graduates develop both creative vision and technical fluency while working within professional production workflows used across live entertainment, touring productions, theme parks, and hybrid broadcast environments.
Entertainment Design and Technology Skills
Graduates of the Entertainment Design concentration will be able to:
- Design integrated performance environments using lighting systems, projection mapping, LED displays, digital media content, and interactive technologies to support storytelling in theatre, touring, themed attractions, virtual production stages, and immersive installations.
- Create professional production documentation, including lighting plots, system diagrams, signal flow maps, media layouts, and technical drawings used to build and operate complex performance systems.
- Apply contemporary production technologies such as media servers, previsualization software, show control systems, and digital drafting tools to plan and realize live entertainment environments.
- Work within professional production workflows, including safety practices, budgeting, scheduling, and collaborative technical processes used in theatre, live events, theme parks, and experiential productions.
- Translate artistic ideas into technical design solutions by analyzing scripts, choreography, and performance concepts and implementing them through lighting, media, scenic, and interactive systems.
Career Opportunities for Entertainment Design and Technology Graduates
- Associate Technical Director
- Creative Director
- Entertainment Systems Integrator
- Immersive Experience Designer
- Interactive Media Designer
- LED Video Technician
- Lighting Designer
- Live Events Technical Producer
- Media Designer
- Media Server Programmer
- Playback Technician
- Production Designer
- Production Manager
- Projection Designer
- Show Control Programmer
- Stage Manager
- Technical Director
- Themed Entertainment Technician
- Video Systems Technician
- Virtual Production Stage Technician
-
Key Features of the Theatre Concentration
The Theatre concentration offers a dynamic, student-centered program designed to foster creativity, versatility, and professional growth. With a customizable curriculum, flexible scheduling, and a strong emphasis on engaged learning, students can explore multiple areas of theatre or dive deeply into a single focus—all while earning credit through hands-on production work. Small class sizes and dedicated faculty advisors ensure personalized support, while robust professional networking opportunities and national accreditation prepare students for successful careers in the arts.
Theatre Skills
Customization
Our core courses help you experience the connectedness of different areas of theatre. Beyond the core, you choose electives that meet your individual goals. You may continue to explore multiple areas of theatre or focus on one single area.
Flexibility
Courses are not offered in sequences, so if you are interested in double majoring, adding a minor or two, or studying abroad, you can usually complete your degree in four years. You also have the freedom to change your focus as you encounter new learning experiences.
Engaged Learning
Participation in productions is part of your degree! You earn credit working on department productions in any capacity. Qualified undergraduates can design and direct during the production season under the mentorship of a faculty of working artists and scholars.
Personal Attention
Small class sizes (usually 15 or fewer students) allow for more personal interaction and one-on-one mentoring. You will also be assigned a member of the theatre faculty to serve as your academic advisor.
Professional Networking
As a first-year student, you’ll engage with Miami’s Center for Career Exploration and Success to begin thinking about life after college. Juniors take a course in professional preparation, and seniors take a networking trip to a major city (typically Chicago) every fall. You can connect with Miami alumnae working in the industry, helping you make that leap to a new city when you graduate.
Career Opportunities for Theatre Graduates
- Advertising and Promotions Manager
- Actor
- Designer (Scenic, Lighting, Costume, Sound, Media, Projection, etc.)
- Director
- Dramaturge
- Immersive Experience Artist
- Performer
- Playwright
- Theatrical / Entertainment Technician
- Themed Entertainment Artist
Additional Performing Arts Opportunities
As a Performing Arts major at Miami, you have the flexibility to design your college experience – study abroad, create your own work, and build a professional network!
Study Away or Abroad
The Department of Theatre faculty offers a variety of opportunities to experience theatre around the world, including: London, New York City, Ireland, and Barcelona!
Student Content Creation
The Department of Theatre offers multiple opportunities for students to create original work through annual opportunities.
Learn From Professional Artists
We build career skills throughout your time at Miami with classes like THE 301 Professional Practice, internships, opportunities to work with performing arts professionals and alums, and a senior networking trip to Chicago.
Where Can My Performing Arts Degree Take Me?
To list a few examples, our alumni work…
With Theatre Companies and Television Networks
- Disney on Broadway
- Second City
- Arena Stage
- Steppenwolf
- Roundabout Theatre Company
- Playwrights Horizons
- Goodman Theatre
- The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
- Actors’ Equity Association
- Walt Disney Imagineering
- ABC
- NBC
- HBO
- Netflix
- Nickelodeon
On Stage Productions
- The Lion King
- Hadestown
- Hamilton
- Jersey Boys
- Legally Blonde
- Catch Me if You Can
- All Shook Up
- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
- Play On!
- Sister Act
In Film/Television
- Aquaman
- The Hangover
- Lost
- Weeds
- Gray’s Anatomy
- Modern Family
- The Last Ship
- Days of Our Lives
- Fate of the Furious
- Jumanji: The Next Level
The professors at Miami are extremely helpful. They all want you to succeed. They have their own connections, too, and they will help you network like nobody’s business. They will reach out and help you in any way they can.
Kate Herman ’20
Taking risks. In all aspects of life, whether it may be in the classroom or the studio, there is no secret formula to follow while creating, implementing, or simply exploring. This is one of the greatest lessons I learned while studying dance at Miami — and one that I reflect on constantly. There is a true beauty in allowing vulnerability to play an active role in all that you do; being okay with the many pitfalls that may define an experience; trusting you have access to all you need to get the job done.
Genáe Yeldell, ’22
Facts and Stats
Your college experience here will be one of the most exciting times of your life. To make sure of this, we’ll provide you with a powerful support system.
in the nation among public schools for Best Undergraduate Teaching
2026 U.S. News & World Report
Among Public Universities in the United States for Four-Year Graduation Rate
OIRE
post-graduation success rate of 2023 CCA graduates.
Miami University Data
Admission and Aid
Explore what it means to be a college student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where students prepare to go anywhere and everywhere. We’ll be here to help every step of the way as you prepare for college admission, enrollment, and success.
Contact Us
Undergraduate Admission
513-529-2531
[email protected]
Department of Theatre
Center for Performing Arts 119
420 S. Patterson Ave.
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-3053
[email protected]