Performing Arts

In addition to existing minors in music, theater, and musical arts administration, the Performing Arts Program includes three possible major concentrations. The concentrations are:

Music: provides students with a full range of musical opportunities, academic and performance, guided with a high level of personal attention. We offer instrumental and vocal instruction, the opportunity to participate in ensembles, and coursework that supports an understanding of music in its wider historical, social, cultural and geographical contexts. Summer international and orchestral programs offer students the opportunity to expand horizons and deepen understanding of worlds beyond their own by engaging in conservatory-like, pre-professional training here and abroad. Taken together, these endeavors prepare our students for advanced training and careers in a variety of fields such as performance, composition, music scholarship, education and arts administration.

Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies: Students develop the knowledge and skills required to create theater, dance and performance, including visual thinking, design, dance, acting and performance, directing, movement, stagecraft, playwriting and critical analysis, writing and presentation.

Integrated Performing Arts: Students explore how performance of various kinds can serve as a method of research and communication that intersects in productive ways with other fields in the arts, sciences, and social sciences.

Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C- or better in each course counted towards the major, and maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.0 in these courses.

Theater Studies

View Performing Arts Department website

The field of theater combines studies in history, theory, and critical analysis with practical experiences in production techniques and creativity. Its scope includes diverse representations in dynamic time and space. Among its shared subjects are performance studies, and techniques for directing, designing, writing, and performing for stage.

The curriculum in theater, studies encourages students to interrogate representations on stage toward an understanding of their historical, cultural, and artistic significance. Additionally, we provide opportunities for students to produce their own works and to collaborate on projects with faculty members and other students.

The department offers minors in theater studies. Students interested in fulfilling a minor should consult with a faculty member in TFMS.

Production Opportunities

The Department of Theater supplies the resources for a diverse range of production work on stage. Live performance opportunities include stage productions and dance concerts directed by faculty members, guest artists, and students, performed in a variety of spaces, including the Bruce Davis Theater (main stage), the dance studio, and the White Room. Performance roles, design, and technical positions are open to all students, regardless of their majors. Theater production seasons are formulated to maximize opportunities for working on or attending productions that represent the diversity of theatrical activities across cultures and history.

Detailed, regularly updated information about our theater and arts seasons and about production opportunities is available on the department website.

Faculty

David M. Smith, Amy Steiger; Sherry Ocker

Degree Requirements

Major

Minor