Theatre / Dance

The performing arts play a vital role in a liberal arts education, our campus community, and society as a force that can educate, challenge, inspire, uplift, and heal both the audience and artist. Realizing this potential requires skills in the art form, personal discipline, and humility—values we'll help you expand and deepen. Through our practical, rigorous, and thoughtful training, you’ll develop artistic, professional, and life skills to share with the world. You’ll also have multiple opportunities to collaborate in meaningful ways with fellow students, faculty, and professional visiting artists. 

Major and Minors Offered

• Theatre (BA major, minor)
• Dance (minor)

Why Study Theatre and Dance at Principia College?

• We approach the performing arts with inspiration and openness and the conviction that the arts can lead to better communication, a fuller sense of identity and self-worth, and a growing empathy for others.
• We have experienced and dynamic faculty with diverse professional backgrounds and a commitment to serving the Cause of Christian Science through the training of theatre and dance artists who can bless the world.
• Our partnership with Bankside Repertory Theatre Company offers students the opportunity to gain Actors' Equity points towards acting and professional stage manager Equity status.
• Our students put theory into practice in the classroom, scene shop, and theatre and dance productions.
• Our students participate in regional festivals, often receiving excellent recognition from judges.
• We provide many opportunities to perform, direct, choreograph, and work on all aspects of technical production.
• Our students design, build, and work on all aspects of technical production using professional-level equipment not usually available to undergrads. This hands-on experience is critical for graduates who want to break into the industry.
• Our faculty encourage students to help create new works in theatre and dance.
• We facilitate workshops with world-renowned artists—dancers, choreographers, and theatre professionals.
• We facilitate and support early career internships and training with professional companies.
• Our students often travel to Los Angeles during spring break to meet with film producer and Principia alum David Lovegren and other entertainment industry professionals.
• Our students give back by participating in community outreach.
• We prepare students to continue their education in some of the top graduate schools in the U.S. and abroad.
• Our students develop transferable skills such as problem solving, leadership, communication, collaboration, and critical and creative thinking.

Abroads

Principia abroad programs are open to all majors, and students are encouraged to apply for any abroad program that interests them. All abroads involve individual research that students can tailor to their interests. Of special interest to our students are The Scotland/England Abroad, which focuses on Shakespeare, arts, and theatre; and the Ireland Abroad, with emphases on Irish theatre and devised work.    

Note: See the College Catalog for more detailed information about our program and departmental learning outcomes.