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 - Production Design & Technology
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.
Audition Information Fall 2021 and Spring 2022
Thank you for your interest in the School of Theatre and Dance. Please review the requirements below for admission to your major.
Auditions and Scholarship Interviews
- Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance, and Dance Teacher Education majors are required to audition.
- Production Design and Technology majors are required to attend an interview/portfolio review.
- Theatre Teacher Education, Theatre Studies, and Film and Digital Media majors are not required to audition, but may interview to be eligible for a scholarship.
- For more information, please contact Cristen Monson, academic advisor.
2021-2022 Prospective Student Audition Dates
|
November 6, 2021 |
Theatre and Dance |
ISU |
|
January 7, 2022 |
Illinois High School Theatre Festival (Theatre Only) Not for scholarship consideration |
Register for the festival |
|
January 29, 2022 |
Theatre Only |
ISU |
|
February 12, 2022 |
Theatre and Dance |
ISU |
|
February 26, 2022 |
Theatre Only |
ISU |
Audition and Enrollment Process
Step One: Apply to Illinois State University
Step Two: Choose an audition/interview date
Step Three: Upload any required materials to your application
Step Four: Receive confirmation email from School of Theatre and Dance
Step Five: Attend audition/interview
Step Six: Receive decision within two weeks
Step Seven: Submit your enrollment deposit and become a Redbird!
Program Requirements
Follow the links below for each program's entry requirements.
Acting Production Design and Technology Dance Dance Teacher Education
Film and Digital Media Theatre Studies Theatre Teacher Education
Scholarships
Notification of scholarship awards will take place the first week of March 2022.
Look for on campus visit opportunities as they arise. If you would like to audit a class or meet with faculty, or if you have a question about the enrollment process, please contact Cristen Monson directly to set up an appointment.
Current Student Auditions
Current Illinois State University students are encouraged to audition for upcoming performances produced by the School of Theatre and Dance. Please refer to page 17 of the Production Handbook regarding audition eligibility.
Faculty and Staff for the School of Theatre and Dance
Faculty & StaffSchool of Theatre and Dance Production Season
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Theatre Online StoreSchool of Theatre and Dance Scholarships
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Theatre & Dance News
Illinois Shakespeare Festival selects 2021 John Stevens Equity Actor
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival (ISF) has selected Dan Matisa as the 2021 John Stevens Equity Actor. Each season, funds from the John Stevens Memorial Fund support bringing an Actors' Equity Association (AEA) member to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival stage.
The 2021-2022 Season
Our extensive production season ranges from the classics to new and devised works, produced in our beautiful Center for the Performing Arts Theatre, Westhoff Theatre, and other venues.
Associate Professor Robert Quinlan announces the 2021-2022 Production season.
See Yourself Here
From performance opportunities, masterclasses, and Registered Student Organizations, there are always unique opportunities waiting for you within the School of Theatre and Dance. Explore the Theatre and Dance RSO's making a difference on campus and beyond.