Theatre

🧭 Compass Roadmap

ACU’s Department of Theatre has carefully curated this roadmap which features unique opportunities for you as a student in their major. Take a look below and visit with your faculty mentor and academic advisor so you can explore the best path for you as you progress through your department. For more information about Compass and ACU Roadmaps, be sure to check out acu.edu/compass, or reach out to your Compass team at compass@acu.edu.

Department of Theatre
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ACU’s Department of Theatre has carefully curated this roadmap which features unique opportunities for you as a student in their major. Take a look below and visit with your faculty mentor and academic advisor so you can explore the best path for you as you progress through your department. For more information about Compass and ACU Roadmaps, be sure to check out acu.edu/compass, or reach out to your Compass team at compass@acu.edu.

Department of Theatre

Main Content

Compass Roadmap | Theatre


Begin Your Journey		First Year
Pursue Community		Second Year
Pursue Hospitality		Third Year
Pursue Calling		Fourth Year
Pursue Wisdom
Grow Intellectually
  • Meet the faculty at the Department Cookout
  • Develop dramaturgical skills in Cornerstone
  • Explore the life of Jesus and the New Testament church in BIBL 101 and 102
  • Explore what it means to be an artist of faith in THEA 101: Transforming Artists


  • Support your peers by attending ACU's URCI Festival
  • Participate in the ACU Theatre Homecoming Musical
  • Explore the Old Testament in BIBL 211

  • Engage in a faculty-mentored research or creative project
  • Build a character, costume or set aesthetic through play research, design and audition process techniques
  • Participate in THEA 350: Period Styles and THEA 456: Auditioning for professional preparation in contemporary and historic styles of theatre

  • Perform in the NYC Senior Showcase
  • Book an industry NYC or LA agent
  • Reflect on what it means to be an artist of faith through Capstone Arts & Culture - Faith and Artistry
Grow Spiritually
  • Experience Candlelight Devo during Wildcat Week
  • Participate in Chapel, including themed department chapels, guest artist workshops and lectures
  • Participate in the life of a local church
  • Engage in practices of meal fellowship, community circle prayer time, singing "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" at each production strike and hearing artist testimony

  • Participate in Chapel, including department chapel
  • Participate in the life of a local church
  • Learn about service opportunities through Living Water International attached to 24-hour musical, IRC speakers
  • Volunteer in the Abilene community
  • Engage in practices of intercessory prayer, pilgrimage and journaling
  • Participate in Chapel, including department chapel
  • Participate in the life of a local church
  • Gain hands-on ministry experience on a Global Service Trip
  • Engage in practices of silence, bible study attendance or leading prayer
  • Participate in Chapel, including department chapel
  • Participate in the life of a local church
  • Receive and extend blessings at Senior Blessing Banquet
  • Experience Candlelight Sendoff
  • Engage in practices of friendship, relinquishment and developing discipline for missional prophet artist life
Grow Personally
  • Take StrengthsFinder and reflect on how your results inform you as an artist of faith
  • Be involved in the ACU community by joining a student organization
  • Identify a potential faculty, staff or older student mentor in the Department of Theatre; lean into departmental mentor program (Bigs-Littles)
  • Care for your whole person by developing a Personal Exercise Prescription through dance or workout
  • Grow as a leader throughACU LEADS: Emerging Leaders

  • Take advantage of recreation opportunities on campus (Rec Center, intramurals, dance classes, yoga or cardio classes)
  • Actively engage in a student organization

  • Develop your leadership skills while serving in a leadership role on campus
  • Lead in a church ministry or local service organization
  • Serve in a leadership role and mentor future student leaders
  • Lead a student club or organization such as Alpha Psi Omega
Grow Culturally
  • Attend events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA)
  • Explore opportunities at a Study Abroad interest meeting
  • Attend Events Hosted by the International Students Association (ISA)
  • Study Abroad in Oxford, Leipzig or Montevideo
  • Support Summer Blaze Camp through Dr. Jerry Taylor
  • Perform in CALF Festival with outreach options in downtown Abilene
  • Attend events hosted by the Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action
  • Participate in a World Wide Witness summer internship
  • Research and participate in theatre ministry opportunities
  • Attend Tepper Program in NYC through Syracuse University
  • Attend LA Film Program through Greenhouse Film
  • Apply to Fulbright, PeaceCorps or International Service Opportunity
  • Intern or lead an OMA, ISA or Carl Spain Center event
Grow Professionally
  • Develop your resume and headshot for professional auditions
  • Learn new creative possibilities through Creative U
  • Audition for Abilene Shakespeare Festival
  • Network with industry professionals
  • Audition for Southeaster Theatre Conference for summer stock theatre jobs
  • Get a summer job or internship related to your field of interest
  • Audition/Crew Abilene Shakespeare Festival or Abilene Paramount Theatre

  • Research graduate schools that interest you
  • Identify faculty members who could write recommendations
  • Build your professional website
  • Finalize a resume
  • Secure letters of recommendation
  • Audition or apply for graduate school
  • Perform in Industry Showcase
  • Secure industry agent

Exploring Areas of Growth

Five Areas of Growth

  • Grow Intellectually – Sharpen your mind through critical thinking, problem solving and engaging in original research or creative projects. Build knowledge in your field and develop relevant skills through innovative and experiential assignments and activities.
  • Grow Spiritually – Grow in likeness of Christ, as the Spirit leads both individuals and communities into deeper love of God and others. Cultivate Christian community, hospitality, vocation and wisdom through reflective participation in community practices such as worship, study and service. 
  • Grow Personally – Mature as a whole person through mentorship, peer-to-peer relationships and cultivating habits that produce wellness. Discover your strengths, become a productive team member and grow as a leader.
  • Grow Culturally – Deepen intercultural knowledge and the ability to communicate with and relate to people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and geographic areas. Foster a greater respect and empathy for all peoples through building dynamic and mutually rewarding relationships in local and global contexts. 
  • Grow Professionally – Prepare for a meaningful career by exploring options, participating in career development activities, gaining relevant experiences and making purposeful connections that launch your professional life.

Integrated Spiritual Formation Themes

NOTE: Transfer students and those that surpass traditional semester cadences can progress to the next phase when appropriate for their needs.

Year 1 – Pursue Community

Connecting students to cruciform relationships with peers and adults on campus and in Abilene through compelling opportunities to invest in a variety of Christian organizations, both discovering and experiencing the distinctive nature of Christian community.

Year 2 – Pursue Hospitality

Engaging students in encounters with diverse peoples, ideas, and cultures through both local and global opportunities to extend and receive hospitality and to serve others in Christ’s name.

Year 3 – Pursue Calling

Advancing students’ understanding of vocation in a manner that integrates each student’s particular identity, career goals and vision for life with the broad calling for Christians to participate in the ongoing mission of God revealed in the pattern of Christ’s life and death.

Year 4 – Pursue Wisdom

Launching students into cruciform and purposeful living beyond the university by equipping them with tools for and experiences seeking Christian wisdom as they prepare to transition into a new season of life and career.