About the School
The School of Theatre and Dance provides pre-professional training to dedicated young actors, dancers, designers and educators. Students are invited to Play Boldly in their creative theatre and dance endeavors!
- Majors
- Minors
- Graduate
- Non-Majors
- Auditions
Theatre
Theatre - Acting
Acting majors at Illinois State University get the best of two worlds: a liberal arts education plus the rigorous training in Acting that otherwise could only be found in a conservatory program.
Theatre - Design & Production
You will be able to take your extensive classroom training and put it to work within our Main Stage production season—and you can get involved with productions right away.
Theatre - Film & Digital Media
Get a fundamental education in film aesthetics, history, and theory.
Theatre Studies
The Theatre Studies provides students with a broad-based, hands-on education in theatre within the context of a liberal arts degree.
Theatre Teacher Education
The Theatre Education sequence at Illinois State University is dedicated to preparing highly qualified artists/teachers to meet the challenges of teaching in the secondary school system.
Dance
Dance
The Dance program at Illinois State University prepares students for careers in performance, choreography, teaching, and for future post-graduate study.
Dance Teacher Education
Illinois State University proudly houses the only Dance Teacher Education licensure program within the state of Illinois, preparing students for the diverse career options within the field of Dance Education.
Theatre
Film Studies
The program provides students with a broad introduction to the field of film studies, including film history, genre, international cinema, and the creative process of filmmaking.
Theatre
The minor in theatre allows students who may have a passion for the stage, show production, or simply theatre in general to supplement their major.
Dance
Dance
The Minor in Dance at Illinois State University offers a secondary area of study for those students whose career goals are enhanced through increased knowledge of dance skills, theory and history.
Theatre
Theatre Master of Fine Arts - Costume Design
The three-year program emphasizes collaboration as the cornerstone for creating quality design work within the ambitious production program at Illinois State.
Theatre Master of Fine Arts - Directing
Join a select group of advanced students who have demonstrated the potential to succeed in long-term careers as professional directors.
Theatre Master of Fine Arts - Lighting Design
The three-year Lighting Design program is an intensive blend of theory and practice.
Theatre Master of Fine Arts - Scene Design
Collaboration is the highlight in this hands on program with opportunities designed to prepare you for a professional career in scene design.
Theatre Studies
We maintain a flexible program that allows you to customize your course of study and build a solid foundation for further studies, teaching, or for other professional careers.
Theatre Productions
Any Illinois State student enrolled for 6 or more hours may audition for School of Theatre and Dance productions after achieving second semester freshman status (9 or more completed hours).
Auditions for Theatre productions are held at the beginning of each semester.
Additionally, auditions are held throughout the year for various Freestage, improv, and independent productions. Find them on social media!
Students can earn course credit while participating in a variety of activities in theatre and dance productions through Theatre Practicum. This course involves hands-on practical work in a variety of areas including costume crew, set crew, light crew, box office, and ushering. After registering for Practicum, students must sign up for a particular assignment during the first week of classes. Contact the School of Theatre office at 309-438-8783 for more details.
Dance Productions
Illinois State Dance Theatre is the pre-professional concert dance company organized through the School of Theatre and Dance. Their mission is to provide students with professional-level dance performance experience and the opportunity to work in a company atmosphere.
Any Illinois State University student may audition to be part of the Illinois State Dance Theatre, regardless of his or her major. Those auditions take place during the first week of classes during the fall and spring semesters. Students selected for the company will be cast in the Faculty/Guest Artist concert for that particular semester, in addition to other local and regional performance opportunities. Those selected for Dance Theatre are required to enroll in at least one dance technique course in addition to attending the weekly Company Class, held each Friday. Dance productions are held in the Center for the Performing Arts and Westhoff Theatre. For questions regarding auditions for Illinois State Dance Theatre contact Sara Semonis.
Prospective Student Auditions
- Acting, Dance, and Dance Teacher Education majors are required to audition.
- Design/Production majors are required to attend an interview/portfolio review.
- Theatre Teacher Education and Theatre and Film Studies majors are not required to audition, but may interview to be eligible for a scholarship.
- For more information, please contact Cristen Monson, Academic Advisor, at (309) 438-3936 or cbmonso@ilstu.edu .
2019-2020 Prospective Student Audition Dates
- When you apply to Illinois State University, you will be prompted to choose an audition date.
- If you need to change this date after you apply, please email cbmonso@ilstu.edu to make those arrangements.
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November 2, 2019 |
Chicago National Association of Dance Masters Fall College Fair (students must be a registered CNADM participant of the fair to audition) |
Dance and Dance Education |
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November 9, 2019 |
ISU Campus |
Theatre and Dance |
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January 10, 2020 |
Illinois High School Theatre Festival (not for scholarship consideration) Students must be registered to attend the Festival and sign up to participate in the auditions |
Theatre |
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January 18, 2020 |
ISU Campus |
Theatre |
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February 15, 2020 |
ISU Campus |
Theatre and Dance |
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February 29, 2020 |
(Not for Scholarship Consideration) |
Theatre |
Electronic Auditions
If you cannot make one of our on-campus audition dates, you may submit an electronic audition or portfolio. Spring & Summer 2020 applicants use Acceptd (fee). Fall 2020 applicants may submit an electronic audition or portfolio once the School of Theatre and Dance notifies you to send your materials.
Program Requirements
Follow the links below for each program's entry requirements.
Acting Design/Production Dance Dance Teacher Education
Theatre and Film Studies Theatre Teacher Education
Current Student Auditions
Current Illinois State students are encouraged to audition for upcoming performances produced by the School of Theatre and Dance. Follow the links below for schedules, cast lists, and more.
Audition Schedule and Cast Lists Production Calendar Design Production Assignments
Faculty and Staff for the School of Theatre and Dance
Faculty & StaffSchool of Theatre and Dance Production Season
Production SeasonOnline Store for the School of Theatre and Dance
Theatre Online StoreSchool of Theatre and Dance Scholarships
ScholarshipsContact Us
Theatre & Dance News
Taking flight: Theatre teacher education prospect earns McLean County Full Tuition Scholarship
Incoming Illinois State freshman Parker Daugherty could sense the excitement. He was serving one afternoon through Feed My Sheep, a backpack program his church started a few years ago that provides meals to students who qualify for free and reduced school lunches. Daugherty, who is days away from [...]
