Studies in theatre, when combined with a major such as business, communications or education, can help to prepare students for careers in the theatre business or in theatre education. Students with academic theatre exposure have become attorneys, realtors, ministers, zoologists, finance officers, legislators and writers as well as performers. Students study and train with faculty who are professional artists in the Pittsburgh theatre scene and have the opportunity to be a part of as many as four on-campus stage productions per year through RMU's Colonial Theatre company.

Courses include an introduction to theatre, acting, production, and theatre crafts, as well as special topics classes that connect to current stage productions, such as musical performance, directing, stage combat and design.