Program Availability
The Acting Minor is available on the Indiana State University campus, located in Terre Haute, Indiana. This minor is not available online.
Why Pursue an Acting Minor at Indiana State University?
The Acting Minor offers you the opportunity to develop performance skills, creative confidence, and professional communication abilities that will benefit you throughout your career, regardless of your major. Whether you dream of performing on stage, wish to improve your public speaking, or simply enjoy the challenge of stepping into someone else's shoes, acting provides valuable experiences that extend far beyond the theatrical stage.
Through coursework in acting, performance, and advanced acting techniques, you will learn how to communicate effectively, think creatively, collaborate with others, and respond confidently in dynamic situations. The minor combines classroom instruction with practical performance experiences, allowing you to develop both artistic and professional skills.
Why Study Acting?
Acting trains you to understand people, communicate clearly, and adapt to new situations. These are all skills that employers seek and value in new hires. By studying acting, you will learn how to:
- Speak confidently in front of groups
- Communicate ideas clearly and persuasively
- Think creatively and solve problems under pressure
- Collaborate effectively with diverse teams
- Build self-confidence and professional presence
- Develop empathy and emotional intelligence
- Think on their feet and adapt quickly
These transferable skills are valuable in virtually every profession. They can help you stand out in an increasingly competitive workforce. The Acting Minor is a powerful complement to any major, especially those with a heavy focus on interpersonal communication.
Students often discover that acting enhances their ability to interview successfully, lead teams, deliver presentations, build relationships, and communicate with confidence in professional settings.
Performance Opportunities
As members of the Department of Theater, students pursuing Acting Minors have the chance to engage with an active production season that includes comedies, dramas, classical works, contemporary plays, and more. You will learn from faculty who are active theater practitioners and gain experience in a collaborative artistic environment that values creativity, curiosity, and growth.
Whether performing in front of an audience or practicing scenes in the classroom, you will gain practical experience that reinforces the skills you have developed through coursework.
More Than Acting
At its core, acting is the study of human behavior. It teaches you how to observe, connect, communicate, and collaborate. The confidence you gain through performance, the empathy you develop through character work, and the communication skills you strengthen through rehearsal can prepare you not only for careers but also for leadership roles in your community and profession.
Whether you aspire to perform professionally or simply want to become a stronger communicator and more confident leader, the Acting Minor provides experiences that will serve you for a lifetime.
Courses for the Acting Minor
Career Opportunities
Some students pursue the Acting Minor because they are interested in performance careers including:
- Professional Actor
- Voice Actor
- Teaching Artist
- Educator
- Content Creator
However, many students pursue acting because it prepares them for success in careers where communication, leadership, and human connection matter. Fields in which acting skills are especially valuable include:
- Criminology
- Psychology
- Law and Public Administration
- Communication, Public Relations
- Business and Management
- Education
- Healthcare
- Counseling and Social Work
- Media and Broadcasting
