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Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies

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Performing Arts Program

Performance Studies
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Performance Studies: The World is Your Stage

Performance studies is so much more than a theater degree—it’s learning to glorify God through innovative artistic excellence both onstage and backstage. Join a vibrant community as you learn to engage and motivate audiences through the power of the spoken word. This support, combined with countless theater opportunities and hands-on coursework, will give you a wide range of performance experiences that will make you shine.

The performance studies major at Pensacola Christian College provides students with a solid foundation in verbal and nonverbal communication. You’ll take characterization, acting, and vocal technique classes as well as private speech lessons and understand how to implement them into your everyday life.

Choose from vocation options like performance, technical theater, education, ministry, or continue your education in a specialized field with an advanced degree. Armed with training that is both highly practical and vividly creative, you’ll be ready to forge a unique career path and pursue your calling.


Faith-Based Performance Studies

PCC’s program presents a distinctly biblical view of performance. You’ll learn how to point the lost to Christ using your training and skills. Additionally, you’ll study carefully selected classic works and understand how to reveal truth onstage. Whether you perform with a theater company or bring creativity to a ministry, you’ll be prepared to honor God with your talent and represent Him wherever you go.

Senior Performance Recital

Performance Studies Major Learning Outcomes

As a performance studies graduate, you will be able to

  • develop a repertoire that reflects a biblical worldview of dramatic performance;
  • incorporate credible research and analysis in platform presentations;
  • interpret literature, communicating with textual integrity, intellectual understanding, emotional sensitivity, and vivid characterizations;
  • demonstrate a control of vocal technique and nonverbal communication; and
  • stage platform presentations which are aesthetically pleasing.
Performance Studies Major Course Schedule

Program Highlights

Dramatic Productions

Gain a wide range of theater experience when you stage a production (SP 307). This class allows you to get hands-on experience in casting, directing, producing, lighting, costuming, makeup, and more. The resulting production will test your skills in many areas while building your proficiency. Adding another level to your skills, you will assist in producing a college play (SP 308). You will build on what you’ve learned and deepen your love of the craft.

Solo Performance Recital

Your training will culminate in a public speech recital (SP 435). You will choose a piece to research, interpret, and perform before friends, family, and more. This solo performance will pull from a wide range of skills and is your chance to showcase your proficiency as you inspire your audience.

Your Performance Studies Future

What can you do with a performance studies degree?

With a performance studies degree from PCC, your options are truly endless. You’ll graduate with a solid technical foundation that will allow you to branch out into your specialization, whether through pursuing an advanced degree like an M.F.A. or entering fields like ministry, performance, or education directly.

Here are a few of the countless career opportunities available to you.

  • Arts Management
  • Communications
  • Director
  • Educator
  • House Manager
  • Lighting Designer
  • Performer
  • Public Speaker
  • Podcast/Radio Host
  • Production Coordinator
  • Stage Manager
  • Scenic Designer

Here are a few grad schools our performance studies alumni have attended.

  • Belmont University
  • Bob Jones University
  • James Madison University
  • Louisiana State University
  • Regent University
  • University of Nebraska
  • University of South Carolina
  • University of South Dakota
  • University of South Florida

Here are a few of the many places that our performance studies alumni have worked.

  • Focus on the Family
  • MasterWorks
  • Navy Federal
  • Pensacola Christian College
  • San Diego Christian College
  • Sight and Sound Theatres
  • Sonlight Studios
  • Ushers Ferry Historic Village

Faculty Highlight

Amanda Dharampaul

Amanda Dharampaul

B.A., M.S., Pensacola Christian College

“While this degree does strengthen one’s solo performance abilities, it also encourages collaboration among the students as they build and paint sets, co-direct scenes, perform together in plays, and work on group theater projects. The collaboration in our department fosters a community that helps to grow our students in their speaking, acting, and directing, as well as their interpersonal and team-building skills.

I genuinely enjoy teaching our performance studies majors. I love their creativity and passion for life and their art. My goal is that they feel loved and equally encouraged to grow in their God-given abilities. My greatest desire is for our students to use their talents for the Lord. Nothing makes me as excited as working with my students, helping them grow in their craft, and witnessing those ’light bulb moments’ of understanding.”

Meet more faculty

Alumni Spotlight

Stephen Burke
Stephen Burke ’04

Artistic Director, Shining Light Players

“At PCC, I was involved in every aspect of theatrical production from stage managing and directing to costume and makeup—either through classwork or by volunteering. I use those skills every day in my work. My teachers taught me how to put together an excellent production—not just with basic knowledge of stagecraft, but they pointed out details that make a successful performance. Most importantly I was taught to use my talent for God. Although I was taught to strive for my best, a secular career was never encouraged; my teachers constantly taught me that the only worthwhile endeavor is to glorify God. So many institutions have their eyes on the world and the world's approval. For the Christian performer, it is vital to keep our eyes on God and pleasing Him! At PCC, the focus has always been excellence in ministry.”

Read more about the Shining Light Players
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About the Performance Studies Program

The purpose of the performance studies major is to train students to effectively communicate with an audience as a Christian performer.

Students enrolled in performance studio are required to enroll in SP 999 Speech Repertoire.

Second-semester sophomores must successfully complete a speech platform to be approved for a major in Performance Studies. A public recital is given during the senior year.

Students must perform at least one role in a college play. A speaking role in a dramatic production play will satisfy this requirement.

Second-semester sophomores must successfully complete a speech platform to continue as a performance studies minor. Students must enroll in Speech Repertoire each semester they enroll in Performance Studio.

Students can apply for scholarships to receive financial aid.

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Career Fair

Performing Arts Career Support

With Career Services and Career Link, students can start making connections with employers while on campus during Career Fair events. These services provide tools and resources designed to empower you for your career in performance.

Need help? Career Services staff are ready to assist you in researching employment opportunities, exploring job qualifications, and providing mock interviews and résumé support.

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