Live, Breathe and Study Theatre at Detroit Mercy
What will I learn from Detroit Mercy's theatre program?
You are on your way to a creative future with University of Detroit Mercy's theatre program. Detroit is a city on a resurgence filled with enthusiasm and diversity. It is also a strong community for culture, arts and theatre. If you are looking to earn a Bachelor of Arts with a major in theatre, Detroit and Detroit Mercy are where you want to come to live, breathe and study theatre. Whether you have glitter in your veins, want to act or direct, or want to learn how to manage a production, our program combines academics and experience with to help shine a spotlight on your career.
What type of financial aid is available?
Be sure to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for financial aid for college. In addition, you may be eligible for a performing arts academic and talent scholarship for up to 50 percent off tuition.
How do I apply and audition?
University of Detroit Mercy has a two part process for this program. First, you need to apply to Detroit Mercy and select theatre as your major. Second, you need to interview and audition, either on campus or online. For more information on the full process, visit our Apply and Audition page.
Where do students perform?
Detroit Mercy uses three spaces on the McNichols Campus and one in downtown Detroit:
Downtown Detroit
- The Marlene Boll Theatre at the Boll Family YMCA
Detroit Mercy McNichols Campus
- Studio 164 in Reno Hall
- Architecture Exhibition Space in the Warren Loranger Architecture Building
- Additional campus locations
Fearless. Smart. Vital.
How does entertainment blend with social justice?
We believe social justice theatre experiences are integral to training student artists to value equally the development of their aesthetic skills and their social consciousness, combining their passion for making art with their desire to make a positive impact on their communities and the world. Since 1998, the Performing Arts Department at University of Detroit Mercy has raised more than $200,000 for the homeless and abused, and for community shelters and centers. In 2023, we raised $5,000 for Quilombo communities in Brazil through our production of Unheard Voices: Afro-Brazilian Diaspora.
Where do Detroit Mercy theatre alumni work?
After graduation, our Detroit Mercy theatre majors have made the world their stage. Just a few of the places our alumni have worked or performed at are:
- A Host of People
- ABC
- Arena Stage
- Barrow Group
- Broadway
- CBS
- Cherry Lane Theatre
- Detroit Opera
- Detroit Repertory Theatre
- Disney Channel
- Fox
- HBO
- Indiana Rep
- Mama ETC
- Matrix Theatre Company
- Netflix
- New York City Center
- Off Broadway
- Planet Ant Theatre
- Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
- Santa Fe Opera
- The JET
- The Public Theatre
- The Purple Rose Theatre
- The Ringwald Theatre
- The Second City Chicago
- The Second City Hollywood
- TLC
- Victory Gardens Theatre-West End