Miami University is launching a new Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts this fall, an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students for careers across the creative and entertainment industries. 

The program offers three concentrations — Dance, Theatre, and Entertainment Design and Technology —providing students with both artistic training and practical production experience.

Housed within Miami University’s Department of Theatre in the College of Creative Arts, the new major reflects the collaborative nature of contemporary performance by integrating multiple disciplines involved in creating live entertainment. Students in the program will develop their creative voice while gaining hands-on experience in performance, design, and production.

“The Performing Arts degree is designed to reflect how the performing arts actually come together from ideation to design then to pre-production, load in and performance in the professional world,” said Matt Omasta, chair of the Department of Theatre,. “Students today need both creative depth and the ability to collaborate across disciplines. This program allows them to explore dance, theatre, and production technologies while developing the versatile skills that today’s entertainment and arts industries demand.”

The curriculum emphasizes a balance between creative exploration and critical thinking. Through a flexible course structure, students can tailor their academic pathway to match their interests while exploring the interconnected areas of performance and production. Small class sizes and close mentorship from faculty allow students to receive personalized guidance as they develop their artistic and professional goals.

Dance Concentration

The Dance concentration offers students the opportunity to prepare for a career in dance by training in various dance styles while studying other avenues and entry points into the dance field, including choreography, production, and the cultural contexts of dance. Students gain hands-on experience through performances and collaborative projects that emphasize technique, artistic expression, and multidisciplinary arts leadership.

Theatre Concentration

Students pursuing the Theatre concentration will engage with all aspects of theatre-making, including acting, directing, dramaturgy, and playwriting. The program emphasizes the development of storytelling skills and creative collaboration while encouraging students to explore theatre as a tool for personal growth and social engagement.

Entertainment Design and Technology Concentration

The Entertainment Design and Technology concentration focuses on the creative and technical systems that bring contemporary performance environments to life. Students learn to design and integrate lighting systems, LED displays, projection mapping, digital media content, sound, and show control technologies used across theatre, concert touring, themed attractions, virtual production stages, and immersive installations.

Through hands-on production work, students create lighting plots, media designs, signal-flow diagrams, and system documentation while deploying integrated production environments that support storytelling and world-building across live performance and hybrid experiences.

A defining feature of the Performing Arts, B.A., is its emphasis on engaged learning. Students earn academic credit by participating in department productions and creative projects, allowing them to apply classroom knowledge in professional-style production environments. Qualified students may also have opportunities to design, direct, choreograph, and create original work under the guidance of faculty artists and scholars.

The program also supports students’ long-term career development. Through partnerships with Miami University’s Center for Career Exploration and Success, students begin building professional connections early in their academic journey. Additional opportunities such as internships, networking trips to major cities, and connections with alumni working in the industry help prepare graduates for careers in theatre, dance, film, television, and other areas of the entertainment field.

Graduates of the Performing Arts, B.A., will leave Miami University with a strong foundation in collaboration, creative problem-solving, and communication — skills that are highly valued across the arts and beyond.

Applications for the program are now open, and students interested in learning more about the Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts can visit the program’s website for additional information.