Undergraduate Programs
Our goal in the School of Theatre and Dance is to provide you with in-depth educational opportunities, both in the classroom and in our extensive production program.
Major in Theatre and Dance
Major Sequences
As a Theatre or Dance major you will pursue a specialized sequence in Acting, Dance, Dance Education, Design/Production, or Theatre Education. You can also opt to take the more broadly-based Theatre Studies sequence that features a three-course concentration in any of these areas:
- Cinema Studies
- Creative Drama
- Directing
- Dramaturgy/Theatre History
- Integrated Performance
- Theatre Management
Theatre or Dance majors in all sequences take a broad-based core of classes and are encouraged to explore many aspects of these rich and varied art forms. At the School of Theatre and Dance, we firmly believe that well-rounded and well-educated Theatre and Dance students not only become more creative artists but also substantially increase their chances for success in the professional world.
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
As a Theatre or Dance major at Illinois State University you may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. The major requirements for both degrees are the same. The B.A., however, requires that you complete three semesters of college-level foreign language courses. The B.S. degree requires a General Education Statistics course (Quantitative Reasoning) and an additional Mathematics, Science or Technology course.
The School of Theatre and Dance does not offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. We feel, however, that our programs provide the equivalent of B.F.A. training with the added advantage of a comprehensive liberal arts education.
Minors
Minors in the School of Theatre and Dance are open to all Illinois State University students in good standing. No audition is required for the Theatre or Cinema Studies minors. You may declare a minor in these areas by using the "Apply to My Program" site on iCampus and then contacting the Academic Advisor for the School of Theatre and Dance, who will have you sign the necessary forms and help you get started with classes.
Students wishing to Minor in Dance must apply and then complete a Dance Minor audition. The audition consists of a Dance class and interview; there is no solo performance component. (Please note that this Minor audition is separate from the auditions for the Dance Performance and Dance Education majors.)
The number of students admitted into the Dance minor each year is limited and is based on space availability and the competitiveness of the applicant pool. Application and Audition forms are accepted from February 1 to February 14 and should be returned to the School of Theatre and Dance main office. Audition dates and times and additional information about the Minor in Dance can be found on the links below:
Dance Minor Application Form
Dance Minor Fact Sheet
Students who are planning to become teachers may enroll in a minor in order to secure an endorsement that will allow them to teach a second subject. If you are pursuing any education-sequence major you may prepare for an additional endorsement to teach Theatre (grades 6 - 12) by completing the Theatre minor and passing the State of Illinois Content Test. Students seeking this endorsement are encouraged to complete eight additional credit hours in Continuing Orientation to Theatre Education (THE 185/285) and Principles of Theatre Education (THE 385).
Education-major students seeking an endorsement to teach Dance (grades 6-12) must complete 24 hours in Dance, in consultation with the head of the Dance area, and pass the State of Illinois Content Test. Students seeking this endorsement are encouraged to complete Dance Pedagogy I (THE 227) and Dance Pedagogy II (THE 327), as well as Fundamentals of Movement and Somatics of Dance (THE 204).
Auditions and Scholarship Interviews
The major sequences in Acting, Dance and Dance Education require an audition for admittance. The Design/Production sequence requires a Portfolio Review for admittance. Your review or audition also counts as your departmental scholarship interview.
Students who wish to major in Theatre Education or Theatre Studies may simply declare that major on admittance to Illinois State University. An interview is required, however, for all students seeking departmental scholarship consideration. For School of Theatre and Dance guidelines, please visit Audition, Portfolio Review, & Scholarship Interview Guidelines.
Musical Theatre
The School of Music administers the Musical Theatre major, which is designed for students who wish to incorporate courses and production work in Music, Dance and Theatre into a single major emphasizing vocal performance for the stage. Musical Theatre is sometimes described as a major for "singers who also want to act"; the major requires four Acting courses, compared to the ten required Acting courses for Acting majors. For more information on this major please contact the School of Music.
Arts Technology
The major in Arts Technology is an interdisciplinary program within the College of Fine Arts. This major combines courses from Art, Music and Theatre and emphasizes the theory, design and application of computer technologies to the fine arts. For more information on this major, please visit the Arts Technology Web site.
Multidisciplinary Programs
In order to increase your breadth of experience—and your future employability—students pursuing a degree in Theatre Education or Dance Education are required to complete an education-sequence minor (or major) in another discipline. A typical major-minor combination would be a Theatre Education major and an English Education minor or a Dance Education major combined with a minor in Theatre or Physical Education.
Accreditation
The Illinois State University School of Theatre and Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre and is a member of the University/Resident Theatre Association.
