Augustine Ripa has directed and acted in numerous professional and collegiate productions. At Lehigh, he has staged such productions as Proof, The Birds, The Misanthrope, The Cripple of Inishmaan, and A Streetcar Named Desire. He teaches courses in acting, directing and play analysis, and has served as faculty mentor for nearly 20 student-directed main stage productions. He also coaches students in preparation for national unified auditions, auditions for students wishing to go on to graduate training in an MFA program. He is also advisor to the Mustard & Cheese Drama Society.
The founding chairperson of the department, Ripa is active with national theatre associations. He is a board member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre and has long been involved with the American College Theater Festival.