Students studying theatre at Carthage have many opportunities to enrich their education.

Main Stage and Studio Productions

Carthage theatre students are involved in every aspect of the production of four Main Stage shows and two dance concerts a year. Student directors stage two to three full-length productions a year in the 80-seat Studio Theatre.

See the current season

Get tickets to theatre performances


New Play Initiative

Carthage Theatre is committed to creating exciting, compelling new theatre works. Since 2008, Carthage Theatre has commissioned playwrights of prominence from around the country and the world to create original plays and work closely with our students to bring them to life. These works are written especially for our department and receive their world premieres here at Carthage.

Learn more about Carthage’s New Play Initiative


Visiting Artists and Professionals

Carthage works with Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning playwrights, set designers, directors, and more.

Learn about the professionals who visit Carthage


STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Theatre students get involved in student organizations like the Merely Players Improv group, Alpha Psi Omega, and more!

More about STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS


Internships

Carthage theatre students are encouraged to pursue internships with regional theatres to gain valuable professional experience and establish a network of contacts. In recent years, students have interned with the Chicago Children’s Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Peninsula Players, and Northwestern University’s Cherubs Program. Their responsibilities have included stage management tasks, production management tasks, casting assistance, and acting. Academic credit may be earned. Students looking for internship opportunities can contact the theatre faculty and Carthage’s Aspire Center.


J-Term and Travel Opportunities

J-Term is a special month-long period of study in January in which Carthage students take innovative courses on campus or participate in study tours to other states or countries. The Carthage Theatre Department has offered trips through J-Term to Greece, Ireland, and Berlin, among other destinations. Students and faculty also travel to see some of America’s best regional theatre, and attend the acclaimed Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario, every fall.

See J-Term and travel opportunities for theatre students


Scholarships

Admitted students intending to major or minor in theatre, performance, or technical theatre production and design are strongly encouraged to audition for a Carthage Theatre Scholarship.

apply to the Carthage Theatre Scholarship