We are a vibrant and close-knit department with a strong curriculum and production program.

We offer an academic theatre program of recognized excellence which develops students into practicing theatre artists. Our program develops students into citizen artists who understand the transformative power of theatre.

Our students use theatre as a tool to develop creativity, learn empathy and gain an understanding of the diversity of our human experience. We are committed to challenging our students, staff and audiences to promote a more informed and inclusive world.

Both theatre majors and non-majors participate in all aspects of our work. An outstanding faculty, an excellent facility, and strong interdivisional collaboration with the art, dance and music departments contribute to our program. We offer exciting internship opportunities in New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia as well as with the professional Hope Summer Repertory Theatre — all of these further mark our department as a special liberal arts program in theatre.

In addition to our academic focus, we offer opportunities for students to be involved in the production of four mainstage plays per year, plus numerous other opportunities in acting, directing, design and stage management through student independent projects and directing classes.

Mission Statement

“Hope College Department of Theatre offers an academic theatre program of recognized excellence which cultivates students as practicing entrepreneurial theatre artists. Our program fosters students to become citizen artists who understand the transformative power of theatre. Students will use theatre as a tool to develop creativity, learn empathy, and gain an understanding of the diversity and complexity of our human experience. The department is committed to challenging our students, practitioners and audiences to promote a more informed and inclusive world.”

Recent Blog Posts

  1. Approaching the Powerhouse Play that is THE WOLVES

    Posted by Annika Dekker

    by Katy Smith ’23 When I was first cast in The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe, directed by Rich Pe...

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  2. Spotlight on Student’s 490 Theatre Project: THE CONSEQUENCES OF A MIRACLE

    Posted by Rachel Scott

    Zandra Paxton is a senior at Hope College who has been an active member of the theatre program he...

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  3. Spotlight on Student Project: WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU

    Posted by Annika Dekker

    Katy Smith, a current sophomore at Hope College and active in the Theatre Department, has been wr...

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  4. From DeWitt to Broadway: A Creative Community and its Fight Against a Pandemic

    Posted by by Riley Wilson '20

    Curtain rises: the date is March 11, 2020; A.K.A, the day Hope students first saw the words “Ca...

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  5. Guest Artist Johamy Morales Leads Shakespeare Workshop

    Posted by By Lisbeth Franzon and Emi Herman

    The Hope College Theatre Department was fortunate enough to have our guest director for the sprin...

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  6. Spotlight on Student Projects: THE “S” WORD

    Posted by Emma Clark

    All seniors who graduate from Hope College with a theatre degree are required to do one of two th...

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