OnStage has announced its annual national rankings of the Top 25 B.A. Theatre Programs for 2018-19. The Northeastern Department of Theatre is ranked seventh in the country. They write: “If you’re looking for a BA in Theatre in Boston, there is no better choice than Northeastern. Through Northeastern’s famed co-op program, students can discover a variety of creative fields within the theatre – and ways in which theatre training positions them for success in many other creative fields. Through co-op, they can work in Boston and New York City, across the U.S. and internationally.”

“Our rise in the rankings is proof that our program has a growing national momentum,” said Scott Edmiston, Department Chair. “We had a 76% increase in theatre applications and a 38% increase in majors and minors last year. We are introducing new programs in Performing Arts Administration, Theatre and Social Change, and Playwriting. Theatre course enrollments have tripled, and this year we will host our first global production collaboration with artists from the Moscow Art Theatre. We are truly unlike any other program in the country, and the theatre world has noticed.”

According to the OnStage website: “Pursuing a BA in college…allows students to take different electives, double major, study abroad, try different performance opportunities and also work on projects outside of school. While there might be pressure out there to only go after a BFA degree, remember that a BFA degree is not required to be cast or hired. It comes down to your talent, audition or portfolio. And these BA programs are helping prepare their students better than most BFA programs.”

The Onstage research staff includes current and former educators, students, alums, and working theatre professionals in design/technology and performance.