About
The distinguishing factors of our theatre programs include all-encompassing training in performance and production, and our commitment to Christ, openly seek redemptive values in everything that we study and every play and musical we put on stage. If PBA Theatre sounds right for you, we look forward to having you join us and will welcome you into our community!
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Programs Available
Update:
After careful consideration,听Palm听Beach听Atlantic University has decided to听sunset听its theatre majors听and, instead,听focus听resources and planning on strengthening the existing theatre minor to strategically enhance the program鈥檚 offerings.听Students will continue to听benefit听from theatre instruction and hands-on learning through courses and performance opportunities.
This decision does not reflect听PBA鈥檚 value听of theatre or the performing arts.听Investment in productions and other artistic presentations will continue through a variety of creative forms.听The听update is听part of our responsibility to steward听resources wisely听while sustaining听academic quality across the institution. All students will听continue in their听enrolled program through to the completion of听their degree.
PBA听understands听the significance of this change and听is听committed to听continuing听to communicate next steps with students and faculty.
Currently enrolled Theatre majors will receive the following:
- A teach-out plan, a structured听plan that ensures all required courses will be offered and will听allow them to complete their degree听听听
- Continue to听receive individualized academic advising
- Students receiving a Theatre scholarship will continue to receive their听award, contingent on renewal requirements听being met
- Expected graduation timeline will be honored
FAQs
Q: Is the university eliminating theatre?
A: No. The university is sunsetting two specific degree plans. Productions, creative opportunities, and artistic expression will continue in other forms.
Q: Why is the University sunsetting these theatre degree plans?
A: After careful review of the degree program, declining enrollment trends, costs, and long-term sustainability, PBA determined it could no longer responsibly offer these degree plans while meeting its broader mission commitments.
Q: Why is the university cutting arts programs at a Christian institution?
A: The performing arts are strongly supported at PBA. This decision was not about the value of the arts. It was about our responsibility to steward resources wisely while ensuring we can fully support enrolled students and maintain academic quality across the institution.
Q: Will students be forced to change their major?
A: No. If a student is currently enrolled in one of the affected theatre degree plans, they will be given the opportunity to complete their degree. This is referred to as a teach-out plan.
Q: What is a teach-out?
A: A teach-out is a structured plan that ensures all required courses will be offered so students can complete their degrees within a clear, supported timeline.
Q: Will all required classes still be offered?
A: Yes. Required courses will be scheduled and communicated in advance to support timely graduation.
Q: Will this affect students鈥� financial aid ?
A: There will be no impact on student financial aid eligibility, and the graduation timeline will be honored as long as the student follows their teach-out plan.
Q: Will degrees earned through teach-out be viewed differently?
A: No. Degrees earned through teach-out are fully accredited and carry the same academic standing as any other degree.
Q: Can a student switch to another major if they choose?
A: Yes. Academic advisors and Success Coaches can help explore alternative majors and minors if a student decides that is best for them.
Q: Who should students talk to if they need more support?
A: Their academic advisor, Department of Theatre Interim Chair, College of the Arts Office of the Dean, Campus Ministry (for pastoral support)
Q: Will theatre still exist on campus?
A: While certain degree plans are sunsetting, theatre activities, productions, and creative opportunities will continue in other forms.
Q: How does this decision align with PBA鈥檚 Christian mission?
A: Our mission calls us to care for students, steward resources responsibly, and act with integrity, even when decisions are difficult. We believe this approach reflects those commitments.
Application & Auditions
Step 1:
Fill out our and select your audition date (see dates below).
Step 2:
CArts Auditions (for all programs)
- Friday, November 21, 2025
- Saturday, December 6, 2025
- Saturday, February 7, 2026
- Saturday April 18, 2026
Unable to Attend?
Unable to attend one of our audition dates? Please email theatre_@pba.edu for more information.
The Audition Process
- Two one-minute contrasting monologues from published plays OR
- One one-minute monologue from a published play and one one-minute Musical theatre song (16-32 bars)
We recognise that auditioning can be nerve-wracking, and we want to create a situation that will allow you to give us your best. For this reason, we try to keep things well-organized. We will have a stage manager present who will help you understand the process and keep things moving. You can ask this person any questions that you may have, and they will do their best to assist you.
You will audition for two or more faculty members. They may ask you questions about your abilities and experience in addition to watching your audition. Please remember that if you are singing, we ask that you provide your own sheet music in your chosen key. Parents are welcome to accompany you on your trip, but we ask that they wait outside the room when you actually give your audition. There will be a question-and-answer session for parents and students with the faculty following each audition session.
Theatre Arts Minor, audition to become a Theatre Arts Minor, complete 24 credit hours of courses, and participate in performances.
Opportunities
Alpha Psi Omega
Alpha Psi Omega is a national honorary organization for the recognition of excellence in theatre. The PBA chapter of Alpha Psi Omega is the Chi Nu Chapter, and we further aim to glorify God in all of our theatre work. As a national honor society, students earn membership by both excellence in PBA theatre productions and scholarship.
A.L.I.C.E.
(A Live Improv Comedy Experience) is PBA’s longest-running improvisational comedy showcase. Annual auditions are open=”open” to all PBA students and although the faces of A.L.I.C.E. are ever-changing, some things remain steady over the years. Expect spontaneous dancing, audience participation, everyone’s favorite improv games and everyone’s favorite chicken “Alice,” our mascot.
A.L.I.C.E. has a reputation for bringing the community together through joy and laughter. For just one dollar, anyone and everyone can experience the best PBA has to offer. Enjoy the quick wit, high-energy, and unscripted genius of PBA’s best improvisational actors.
The PBA Theatre Department awards scholarships to a select number of highly talented and promising students each year. These scholarships are available through a competitive process that includes an interview and an audition with the Theatre faculty of PBA.
Students who accept these scholarships must declare a minor in a theatre program during the period of the scholarship and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all Theatre courses attempted at PBA. Theatre grade point averages below 3.0 will result in a reduction in Theatre scholarships.
For further information,听e-mail PBA Admissions听or call (561) 803-2100.
You do not have to be a Theatre minor to be involved in productions. Auditions are open to the entire PBA community. (We have even been known to cast faculty members, alumni or members of the larger community on occasion when student roles would not be affected.) We should note, however, that the acting and technical skills that our students develop in classes tend to make them more likely to have the abilities that fit a particular production.