Theatre Program

Why Choose Theatre at Eastern?

Our Distinctives

We offer small, integrative classes and sustained personal attention. 
We teach well-rounded, multi-skilled theatre-makers, not just performers. 
We feature an ensemble-based collaborative training program, Actors Lab*, which develops individual and ensemble growth and prepares students for professional and graduate theatre work.
We look for people who are interested in more than just theatre - who engage their minds through scholarship, integrate their bodies and imaginations through training, and express their faith and community service through collaboration.

Our Philosophy

We promote a philosophy of arts education which includes training students to encounter, examine and embody the truths of the human experience in radical relationship to Jesus, the Divine Incarnate. The example of Jesus’ life, teaching and passion inspires our belief that just as there is no “safe” Gospel worth living for, there is no “safe” art worth making or engaging with. We endeavor to make art that responds prophetically to the human condition, and acts responsibly in the dialogue of the Eastern University community.

Our Approach

We’re small, and we like it that way. We don’t offer a theatre major, intentionally.  We think it’s important for students to major in a field of study, to master a body of knowledge about human life and the world, and then bring that awareness to their work with us in theatre. We’ve had many students go on to further professional training and successful work in theatre who have majored in English, psychology, social work, communications, education, math, Bible, sociology and other fields. We also aim to help students integrate theatre with their majors to enrich their non-theatre vocations and their continuing education.

*Actors Lab is the center of the theatre training program at Eastern. Based on the theatre program at Wheaton College, Actors Lab is an ensemble-based, collaborative, developmental and integrative approach, paying attention to who you are as a whole person and a theatre-maker. An audition is required, but you don’t have to be an actor to be in Actors Lab. 

Minor in Theatre

Our Mission

• To be creative stewards of the prophetic imagination
• To train self-possessed, multi-skilled artists for work in theatre and related fields
• To integrate theatre for collaborative creativity in other vocations

Our Productions

“Making Art that Matters, Telling Stories that Transform” 
Eastern Theatre productions reflect the whole (and broken) world to which the whole Gospel is addressed. While we take seriously the need for entertainment to “comfort the afflicted,” we also know this means having the courage to create works that reveal truths that “afflict the comfortable.” We rely on the willingness in our faith-based academic community to critically engage with the complexity of worldviews to which we may not subscribe.  We exercise both daring and discernment in our choice of productions.

Life after Eastern Theatre

Graduates have interned or been employed as directors, stage managers, technical directors, designers, crew, actors and teachers at local professional theatres such as People’s Light and Theatre, Arden Theatre, Wilma Theatre, Lantern Theatre, InterAct Theatre, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, Act II Playhouse, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, YES! And…, Curio Theatre, Quintessence Theatre, Ritz Theatre and South Camden Theatre Company as well the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Others have earned
graduate degrees from theatre programs at leading universities.