Many of our majors have gone on to graduate schools and to successful careers in the entertainment industry, including live theatre, film, and television.
But majors also develop a large number of highly valuable skills that make them valuable employees for any job. Collaboration, creative problem solving, and interpersonal communication skills learned in theatre have helped students forge careers in business, law, advertising, education and management.
Department of Theatre offers a dynamic, student-centered program designed to foster creativity, versatility, and professional growth. With a customizable curriculum, flexible scheduling, and a strong emphasis on engaged learning, students can explore multiple areas of theatre or dive deeply into a single focus—all while earning credit through hands-on production work. Small class sizes and dedicated faculty advisors ensure personalized support, while robust professional networking opportunities and national accreditation prepare students for successful careers in the arts.
Our core courses help you experience the connectedness of different areas of theatre. Beyond the core, you choose electives that meet your individual goals. You may continue to explore multiple areas of theatre or focus on one single area.
Courses are not offered in sequences, so if you are interested in double majoring, adding a minor or two, or studying abroad, you can usually complete your degree in four years. You also have the freedom to change your focus as you encounter new learning experiences.
Participation in productions is part of your degree! You earn credit working on department productions in any capacity. Qualified undergraduates can design and direct during the production season under the mentorship of a faculty of working artists and scholars.
Small class sizes (usually 15 or fewer students) allow for more personal interaction and one-on-one mentoring. You will also be assigned a member of the theatre faculty to serve as your academic advisor.
As a first-year student, you'll engage with ߣߣÊÓƵ's Center for Career Exploration and Success to begin thinking about life after college. Juniors take a course in professional preparation, and seniors take a networking trip to a major city (typically Chicago) every fall.
You can connect with ߣߣÊÓƵ alumnae working in the industry, helping you make that leap to a new city when you graduate.
The Department of Theatre is fully accredited with the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and holds memberships and/or affiliations with the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, Black Theatre Network, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Mid-American Theatre Conference, Southeast Theatre Conference, and the American Society for Theatre Research.
A mini version of our major! Refine and improve your skills in the key components of theatrical practice (acting, directing, stagecraft, design, history, and analysis). Three of the required 18 credit hours are earned by working on productions.
To enroll, contact Marly Wooster. No audition is necessary.
Our dance minor is flexible, with options for those just beginning a journey in dance and those with significant dance experience.
To enroll, contact Ashley Goos. No audition is necessary.
If you are interested in learning some extra skills needed as a performer in musical theatre, opera, cabaret performance and musical revue, you might consider this minor. Please note that admission is by audition only.
For those who might be interested in running a theatre company, marketing, audience development, or business management, consider a minor in Arts Management, available through the College of Creative Arts and the Farmer School of Business.
To enroll, contact Todd Stuart in the College of Creative Arts.
Make Theatre. Make a Difference.