Theatre and Dance

Theatre: Major 
Dance: Minor 

Act, dance, direct, design, or stage manage. With numerous production opportunities throughout the year, students studying theatre can try on many different hats — figuratively and literally. Recognized for its high standards of training and the quality of its productions, the Department of Theatre and Dance at provides a nurturing and supportive environment for students to express themselves and develop their artistic capabilities in a collaborative environment.

As a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre, the theatre program is highly regarded regionally and nationally. Our teaching and programming has been reviewed and certified as meeting all national standards for formal theatre training.

In the liberal arts tradition, we believe theatre is a vital, dynamic medium qualified to participate in a dialogue about the human condition. theatre explores the spiritual aspects of our collective experience, examining compelling issues and ideas in a provocative and entertaining manner.

Program Highlights

In addition to classes in theatre history and literature, students can choose to pursue the major with either an acting or design emphasis, minor in dance, or they can create a self-designed major through the  in or playwriting. Courses of study include: 

  • acting
  • dance
  • design 
  • directing 
  • film
  • history and literature
two students sitting in a theatre production on stage

Each semester students collaborate with faculty and professional staff on major productions.

stage during a theatre production

View photos of past theatre department productions.

Theatre and Dance News

Image
Prior Performing Arts Center to Welcome the Campus and Local Communities During Community Day
Professor Kyle Frisina named as the center’s interim director for its inaugural year
Image
Video: 45 Years of Designing Costumes for Student Actors: Meet ’ Kurt Hultgren
The lecturer and costume designer has been creating characters on The Hill since 1977
Image
Alumnus Aids Theatres in Their Darkest Hour
In spring 1975, theater legend Arthur Laurents received a Tony Award nomination for directing the revival of “Gypsy,” the 1959 classic often referred to as the quintessential Broadway musical. In that same time—and some 200 miles away—David Saint was graduating …