Career opportunities
Theatre Studies graduates work as actors, directors, publicists, script-writers, TV/radio journalists, film-makers, comedians, designers, teachers, musicians and theatre technicians. Others take up careers in arts administration, advertising and marketing, or undertake further training in theatre-related fields.
Some choose to combine Theatre Studies with another subject (e.g. English, Music, Dance, Anthropology, Film and Media, Psychology, Māori Studies and many more) or with another degree, such as Law, Marketing or Education.
Theatre papers teach personal and professional skills which are widely applicable across a range of careers and disciplines. They include critical analysis, research, creativity, confidence, team-building techniques and the ability to communicate in diverse ways. These attributes are highly valued in many professions, as are cultural sensitivity and the ability to think laterally and independently. They are skills for a career, and skills for life-long learning.
Major or Minor in Theatre Studies
Theatre Studies is available as both a major and a minor subject of the Bachelor of Arts (BA) programme. Theatre Studies may be combined with another BA major or form part of a double degree e.g. with Law, Commerce or Science degrees.
The major comprises 10 papers from within Theatre Studies, plus an additional 10 papers either from within the programme and/or from other departments. The minor comprises a total of 5 papers from Theatre Studies.
Information for first-year students
As a first-year student, you can enrol in THEA 122 Drama on Stage and Screen, THEA 151 Improvisation, THEA 152 Theatre Technology, and THEA 153 Voice and Movement, all of which provide an excellent grounding for higher-level papers.
Honours and postgraduate study
Theatre Studies offers a 4th-year Honours programme for which the entry is a B plus average at 300-level. An Honours degree makes you more employable in the workforce, and it may also be a steppingstone to a higher degree such as a Master of Arts (MA), a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) (Theatre Studies), or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). These degrees may all include a significant creative component.
Class formats
Classes variously involve lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical workshops. Most classes are relatively small, and students have many opportunities to pursue independent projects in groups and individually.
Recommended background
All students are welcome to enrol in Theatre Studies at Otago. A background in theatre is not necessary.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Arts along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Commerce, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Theatre Studies
Explore postgraduate study in Theatre Studies at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in a...
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | THEA 152 Theatre Technology | 18 |
| THEA 153 Voice and Movement | 18 | |
| THEA 154 Staging Worlds: Theatre and Performance | 18 | |
| Note: THEA 152 should normally be taken in the first or second year of the programme. | ||
| 200-level | THEA 221 Theatre: Ancient to Contemporary | 18 |
| Two further 200-level THEA papers | 36 | |
| PERF 205 The Creatives Industries may be substituted for one THEA paper | ||
| 300-level | Four 300-level THEA papers | 72 |
| PERF 305 The Creative Industries may be substituted for one THEA paper | ||
| Plus | 180 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. | 180 |
| Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | ||
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | THEA 154 Staging Worlds: Theatre and Performance One further 100-level THEA paper | 18 18 |
| 200-level | Two 200-level THEA papers | 36 |
| 300-level | One 300-level THEA paper | 18 |
| PERF 205 or PERF 305 may be substituted for one THEA paper | ||
| Total | 90 |
Note: This minor subject is not available for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA).
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
THEA papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THEA152 | 2025 | Backstage for Theatre and Performance | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| THEA153 | 2025 | Voice and Movement | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| THEA154 | 2025 | Staging Worlds: Theatre and Performance | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| THEA221 | 2025 | Exploring Worlds Through Theatre and Performance | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| THEA241 | 2025 | Writing for Stage and Screen | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| THEA252 | 2025 | The Actor | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| THEA253 | 2025 | Theatre, Culture and Identity in Aotearoa | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA256 | 2025 | Design for Theatre and Performance | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| THEA257 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA322 | 2025 | Theatre of Australasia | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA323 | 2025 | Performance Research | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA324 | 2025 | Aspects of Contemporary Theatre and Performance | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA341 | 2025 | Advanced Writing for the Stage and Screen | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| THEA351 | 2025 | Performing Shakespeare | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| THEA352 | 2025 | Directing | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| THEA354 | 2025 | Creating Theatre | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA356 | 2025 | Design for Theatre and Performance | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| THEA357 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA358 | 2025 | The Working Dramaturg | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| THEA422 | 2025 | Theatre of Australasia | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA423 | 2025 | Performance Research | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA424 | 2025 | Aspects of Contemporary Theatre and Performance | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA441 | 2025 | Advanced Writing for the Stage and Screen | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| THEA451 | 2025 | Advanced Directing | 60 points | Full Year |
| THEA452 | 2025 | Advanced Production Project | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA453 | 2025 | Directed Project in Theatre | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| THEA454 | 2025 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA455 | 2025 | Shakespeare Text to Performance | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA456 | 2025 | Trauma and Violence in Performance | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| THEA457 | 2025 | The Working Dramaturg | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| THEA480 | 2025 | Research Project | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| THEA490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026) |
| THEA580 | 2025 | Studio Project in Theatre | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026) |
| THEA590 | 2025 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026) |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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