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Theater and Film Major

Contact

Ramapo College Office of Admissions

McBride House 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430

p: (201) 684-7300
e: admissions@ramapo.edu
f: (201) 684-7964

About the Theater and Film Major

Ramapo College’s Theater and Film major is one of the few programs of its kind, offering students the unique opportunity to explore both disciplines in depth through a single, interdisciplinary degree. This program gives students a well-rounded foundation in storytelling, acting, directing, design, and film production, all with the advantage of hands-on learning experiences in theater and film.

In this major, you are encouraged to explore various genres, cultures, and forms to help you find and refine your artistic voice while developing key creative and technical skills. You will learn by doing, with access to stage performances, film projects, and collaborative workshops. This practical experience, guided by a faculty of working professionals and scholars equips you to excel in the ever-changing fields of theater, film, and multimedia storytelling.

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What You’ll Learn

The Theater and Film major at Ramapo College is designed to equip students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for a range of careers in both Theater and Film. You will study performance, design, and production, gaining a solid grasp of theater and film history, literature, and theory from different cultural perspectives. The program focuses on professional production standards and helps develop strong communication and teamwork skills necessary for thriving in the industry.

Concentrations

Throughout the program, students have rich opportunities to act, design, direct, and produce for both stage and screen. Whether participating in faculty-led productions, student films, or interdisciplinary projects, students gain immersive, hands-on experience in all aspects of theatrical and cinematic storytelling. These experiences build confidence, versatility, and a professional portfolio of work. Filmmaking students can choose a concentration in Acting, Production/Design, or Theater Studies.

Some courses in Theater and Film include:

  • Visual Imagination
  • Acting
  • Fundamentals of Filmmaking
  • Craft of Costume
  • Stage Management
  • World Cinema Movements
  • Contemporary Theater

SEE ALL COURSES & DEGREE REQUIREMENTS >

Hands-on/Experiential Learning

Ramapo College’s Theater and Film program places experiential learning at the heart of the student experience—empowering you to develop the creative, technical, and professional skills essential to success in today’s performing and cinematic arts industries within the context of a Liberal Arts Education.

Project-based coursework is found throughout the curriculum and culminates in capstone projects where students apply what they’ve learned in a collaborative, real-world setting.

Critique and collaboration are essential elements of growth in this program. Faculty—many of whom are working professionals in theater, film, and television—lead structured evaluations that challenge students to think critically, take creative risks, and refine their craft. Whether on stage or behind the camera, students engage deeply with process and feedback.

Internships, Co-Ops, and Networking

Students gain direct access to industry leaders through workshops, guest lectures, and networking events hosted by the School of Contemporary Arts and the Cahill Career Development Center. Through these connections and faculty partnerships, students secure internships with theater companies, film studios, nonprofit arts organizations, and media firms, allowing them to translate academic experiences into professional development.

Internships and co-ops—often arranged through the Cahill Center and Ramapo’s Handshake platform—offer students the opportunity to explore career paths, build their resumes, and work alongside professionals in local and regional settings. These immersive experiences prepare students to navigate artistic, technical, and administrative roles in the creative industries.

Professional Facilities

The program is supported by fully equipped theaters, rehearsal spaces, editing labs, and film equipment, giving students access to the tools they need to produce polished, original work. From mainstage productions to short films and student-led projects, there are ample opportunities to act, design, direct, and produce throughout your academic journey.

By combining hands-on learning, critical feedback, real-world internships, and access to professional facilities, Ramapo’s Theater and Film major prepares students to graduate as confident, collaborative, and imaginative storytellers—ready to make an impact in a rapidly evolving creative landscape.

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Careers & Outcomes

A World of Possibilities

The Theater and Film program at Ramapo College prepares students for various careers in creative and professional fields. With a focus on hands-on learning and collaboration, graduates are equipped to pursue meaningful work in different areas. While many start with aspirations in acting, directing, or filmmaking, the skills gained allow for opportunities beyond traditional roles in theater and film.

Read more about Careers

Behind the Scenes

Graduates interested in performance can work as stage or screen actors, voiceover artists, or educators. Those with a passion for storytelling from behind the scenes may become directors, producers, or screenwriters, creating narratives for theater, film, television, or digital media. The program emphasizes collaboration and critique, helping students develop into creative problem-solvers and thoughtful artists, which are important traits in today’s fast-changing creative industries.

Design & Technical Production

Students learn skills in scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design, along with cinematography, editing, and post-production. This experience prepares you for careers in set design, props, live event production, visual effects, and technical direction, which are essential for live performances and media projects. As demand for content increases on streaming platforms and in live venues, these technical skills are becoming even more important.

Management & Leadership

The program also prepares students for careers in arts management, production coordination, and stage management, combining creative insight with organizational leadership. These roles exist not only in theaters and film sets, but in museums, cultural institutions, touring productions, and corporate media departments. Ramapo students develop communication, budgeting, scheduling, and people management skills that are applicable across sectors.

Education

For students interested in education, the program offers a strong foundation for careers in K–12 arts education, educational theater, community engagement, and arts-based youth development programs. Many graduates also pursue graduate studies in theater, film, arts education, or related fields, deepening their expertise and expanding their career options.

Media & Storytelling

One of the most exciting aspects of the program is its alignment with emerging fields. Graduates are well-prepared for work in digital storytelling, interactive media, podcasting, gaming, and immersive performance. As the boundaries between disciplines blur, professionals with a background in both theater and film are increasingly sought after for roles in creative development, UX/UI storytelling, virtual production, and transmedia content creation.

Beyond the Arts

Students graduate with transferable skills in communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving—qualities that are in high demand in nonprofit organizations, healthcare, corporate training, public relations, and beyond.

Ultimately, the Theater and Film program at Ramapo College encourages students to explore, discover, and create—empowering them to build careers that are not only artistically fulfilling but also adaptable, sustainable, and impactful in an ever-changing world. Whether on stage, on screen, or behind the scenes, Ramapo graduates are prepared to lead and innovate in the creative industries and beyond.

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Related Programs

Filmmaking

Whether you’re into writing, acting, directing, editing, or shooting videos, filmmaking majors will learn bring stories to life in a way that moves people and makes an impact. You’ll get to collaborate with with a team, use professional gear, and master the tools behind your favorite movies, shows, and viral videos.

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts Major offers a multidisciplinary education in the arts with advanced study in one specialization. Students may choose courses in art history, art and technology, 3-D modeling and animation, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture and video.

Music

Ramapo music majors study with faculty who have internationally prestigious careers as producers, composers, performers, directors, managers, technologists and researchers. Explore and develop skills in our leading-edge studio facilities, and establish the foundation for your post-college music career through our highly regarded internship program that enables you to gain professional experience with top level music companies in New York City. Join our diverse, creative musical community and make your contribution to shaping the future of music.

Beyond the Classroom
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How to Apply

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