Renowned Conservatory Establishes School of Theatre, Film and Animation
As an educational leader in arts and entertainment, Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts is home to the new School of Theatre, Film and Animation. Establishing this school offers students more opportunities to focus on their core areas of interest and adapts to industry needs.
Departments and Majors
The School of Theatre, Film and Animation offers undergraduate and graduate programs and is comprised of two departments:
Film students use the soundstage on campus, which provides professional learning opportunities in directing, cinematography, audio work, lighting work and aesthetics.
Point Park’s premier film and animation programs are designed for a new generation of storytellers. Through hands-on, interactive learning, students are completely immersed in their studies from day one. Classes in the Department of Film and Animation (formerly named the Department of Cinema Arts) are taught by award-winning industry professionals, in a real-world environment with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
Conservatory of Performing Arts students performed RENT at the University's Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Whether you see yourself performing on Broadway, acting in Hollywood, founding an innovative theatre company, stage-managing a world premiere or creating designs with new technology, Point Park's Department of Theatre can help you realize your dreams.
B.F.A. degree and an MBA in 4 years plus one additional semester in the summer
"Creating the School of Theatre, Film and Animation allows us to cultivate multifaceted artists and develop dynamic projects for the audiences of tomorrow.”
Kiesha Lalama, interim dean, School of Theatre, Film and Animation
School of Theatre, Film and Animation Leadership
Kiesha Lalama
Interim Dean, School of Theatre, Film and Animation Executive Producer, Pittsburgh Playhouse
From Broadway Stage to the Big Screen: Point Park University's Jaquel Spivey '21 Stars in "Mean Girls" and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-Winning Musical "A Strange Loop"
From Broadway stage to the big screen, Point Park University's Jaquel Spivey '21 highlights his roles in "Mean Girls" and "A Strange Loop."
Point Park’s Emphasis on Storytelling Prepares Film Production Alumna Milky Tran '20 for Filmmaking Career
"I loved that you began making and experimenting with film your freshman year ... I’m grateful that Point Park had such a heavy focus on storytelling and allowed me to go through the full process of making a film many, many times."
Get Career-Ready with: Madison Downing '24, Artistic Director of Ghostlight Theatre Company and Made for the Stage Youth Theatre Workshop
"From the moment I learned about the many different jobs in theatre, I immediately knew I couldn’t just do one thing. The theatre arts program encourages exactly that. This program has molded me into a well-rounded performer, director, playwright, producer and so much more."
Point Park University Animation Grad Treven Carter '23 Lands Fellowship with DreamWorks
"The objective of the fellowship is to build networks with industry professionals, attend workshops to extend knowledge within the animation industry and gain mentorship from individuals who work at DreamWorks."
Musical Theatre Alumnus Austin Schulte '22 Makes Broadway Debut in "Elf: The Musical"
"I would not be the person and performer I am today without the professors I worked with at Point Park. They are in every work I create and their impact on my life cannot be understated ... Special moments like my Broadway debut are as much for them as they are for me."
Get Career-Ready with: Adam Snook, B.A. Cinema Arts Major
"I chose the B.A. cinema arts program because cinema students are on set their first semester. This hands-on experience helps you discover so much about your future career path."
Theatre Production Alumnus Joshua Challen Ice Designs New Art Installation in Downtown Pittsburgh's Mellon Square
"The B.F.A. in theatre production program is unique in how it blends creativity, hands-on experience and professional preparation. It offers students the chance to work on real productions, develop practical skills and build a network of industry connections."
M.F.A. Low-Residency Student Profile: Meet Patrick Cannon, Actor, Writer and Producer
"As an actor, I have been blessed to work in Pittsburgh. Theatre and film at their core are simply telling a story. As an M.F.A. student, working on storytelling from the other side of the page/printer has provided me with insight into my other roles in collaborative environments."
Point Park University's Musical Theatre Program Equips Alumna with Confidence, Materials and Skills to Succeed in the Industry
"Point Park equipped me with the confidence, materials and skills needed to not only have a successful audition, but it also prepared me for what is required once a role is obtained," said Clark.
Get Career-Ready with: Cole Sholtis '24, Cinema Arts Major
"Point Park serves as a perfect school for expanding upon my creative and technical skills to tell a story in the cinema arts program, and also challenges me academically in the accounting program."
Theatre Alumni Spotlight: Meet E. Clayton Cornelious, Broadway Actor, Investor and Producer
Broadway actor E. Clayton Cornelious played the role of Paul Williams in the first National Tour of Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations. Cornelious is also a co-producer of the Broadway hit new musical New York, New York.
Screenwriting Major Gaining Professional Experience as Artistic Intern for Production with Pittsburgh CLO
"Point Park was the only undergraduate film program I applied to that focused solely on narrative filmmaking and storytelling. Being in a narrative program gives me the space to really flex my creativity, learn from my mistakes and grow as an artist."
Get Career-Ready with: Bianca Dixon '28, B.F.A. Acting Major
"Point Park's Pittsburgh Playhouse is beautiful. The dance studios, the workspaces, the performance spaces, there's so much to talk about. I love spending time there and it really is a privilege as a student at Point Park."
Musical Theatre Grad Kristin Serafini Returns to Pittsburgh Playhouse Stage to Perform in "Christmas Live! with Joe Serafini & Friends"
"Returning to the Pittsburgh Playhouse was incredibly special for me! Growing up doing theatre in Pittsburgh and training at Point Park shaped so much of who I am as both a performer and a person. Coming back to my roots for this show felt like a full-circle moment."
Point Park University's Stephanie Kyung Sun Walters is the 2022 Terrence McNally Award Winner in Playwriting
"For a working professional who doesn’t want to uproot their entire life/family, this program is a great fit ... The educators are here to help you succeed when experiencing new mediums or tackling a different format."
Welcome to a new era of artistic exploration and discovery! I am honored to serve as the interim dean of the School of Theatre, Film and Animation and executive producer of the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University — downtown's premiere destination for arts and entertainment.
Our mission remains steadfast: to transform lives through art that captivates, enriches, enlightens and entertains. We envision rising above the competition by offering a nurturing and vibrant space where new ideas can flourish.
Our passionate faculty and staff are dedicated to fostering collaboration and encouraging creative risk-taking while embracing the complexities of storytelling, art making and design. Together, we create meaningful connections through shared experiences allowing artistic innovation and education to thrive.
As a leading, arts-forward university, we recognize the vital role the arts play in enriching humanity. We are committed to advancing our students' development, while simultaneously driving the progress of the entertainment industry. We aim to cultivate versatile artists with authentic voices, who will emerge as dynamic leaders in tomorrow’s creative world.
