Southern's theatre major prepares you for careers in theatre, whether your heart's desire is to be on stage, backstage, or in the wings. It's a great start for work in television and film, too, in front of the camera or behind the camera. And it's terrific training for any number of fields connected to theatre, television, or film: publicity, marketing, special effects, casting, costuming, scenery, criticism, teaching, and commercials.

Many theatre majors also build successful careers in business, public relations, and retail. That's because our undergraduate theatre program, grounded in the liberal arts tradition, gives students critical thinking skills and specialized theatre training that serve them well in any workplace. They learn to think on their feet and present themselves with poise and polish, important whether you're playing Hamlet, pitching a client, or teaching a class.

Throughout your academic career, you'll get solid firsthand experience through your work on productions at Southern's Lyman Center, a full-scale performing arts facility and home to the Department of Theatre. The Lyman Center is a lively stop on the New Haven theatre scene, with a full calendar of student and professional productions throughout the year. The Lyman Center's Mainstage, which seats 1,568, boasts a three quarter thrust stage design with semicircle seating and a state-of-the art, fully computerized theatrical lighting system. Also located in the Lyman Center are the costume and scenery shops and the Kendall Drama Lab, a "black box" workshop and experimental theatre performance space.

focuses on all facets of the actor's and director's crafts, from improvisation, costuming to set construction, lighting, diction, and dance. Coursework also deals with developing audition skills. Students may also focus on creative dramatics as an educational tool and leisure time activity for children, teens, and adults.

Theatre designers and technical specialists create the visual elements and illusion that set the scene - and sometimes steal the show. Students in this specialization acquire an understanding of the underlying principles - and develop hands-on skill and confidence - in scenery, costume design and construction, stage makeup, lighting, theatre architecture, and the nuts and bolts of stage management.

combines the resources of Southern's English Department and Literature Program, along with special courses in the Theatre Department, to explore the literary side of theatre. Students read and dissect the great works of world drama, from Greek and Roman tragedies through contemporary theatre. You can even try your hand at writing your own modern classic in a course that focuses on developing the artistry and technique of the playwright.

The Crescent Players, the campus production company, mounts at least three major productions each season. The Players also attend the New England Theatre Conference Convention each year. Several recent productions were invited to perform at the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. The student lighting design for Hair was one of seven selected for the ACTF Festival in Washington. Students have the chance to get Big Apple exposure, too. Each year, a one-act play from Southern is presented at a theater in New York as part of the Connecticut State University New York Showcase. Membership: International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees.

For more information, contact the Department of Theatre at(203) 392-6100.