The School of Theatre and Dance provides students with liberal and professional education preparing them for careers in the performing arts as artists, scholars and educators. The school’s production season serves as the primary laboratory for the development of student artistic expression and technique. As performing arts, theatre and dance reflect and communicate cultural values and identities intrinsic to human existence. As such, the study of theatre and dance is central to the humanities curriculum.
 

The School of Theatre and Dance at Kent State University offers comprehensive programs in theatre and dance leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Arts. The breadth of the program is suggested by its course offerings, which cover the areas of acting, directing, musical theatre, theatre history, criticism, script analysis, playwriting, technical production, scenery, lighting, costume design, make-up, theatre management, modern dance, ballet, jazz, dance composition, dance history, dance notation and dance science

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN THEATRE

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN THEATRE

The B A. degree in theatre studies offers a traditional liberal arts program with a major emphasis in theatre. Students pursuing the BA. might pursue careers in secondary education; go on to graduate study in performance, design, management, or scholarship; or use their skills in a wide variety of allied fields. Click Here for Program Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies.

THEATRE AND DANCE MINORS

The School of Theatre and Dance offers Minors in both theatre and dance.  For requirements in the Theatre Minor, Click HERE.  For requirements in the Dance Minor, Click HERE.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS PROGRAMS IN THEATRE  

BFA DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

The B.F.A. degree is designed for students planning careers in professional theatre and dance venues or preparing for advanced study in performance or design. A significant commitment to intensive specialization is demanded of all students pursuing the B.F.A. Students choose a concentration in one of three areas: dance, design/technology, or musical theatre.

Click HERE for more information about the BFA in Design and Technology.

Students planning to pursue the design/technology programs apply to the University as B.A. theatre majors, but indicate their interest in the B.F.A. degree at the time of enrollment. They are asked to enter a specific program of study beginning in the fall of the freshman year. During the spring semester of that academic year, interviews are conducted and qualified students are formally admitted to the B.F.A. programs. Progress toward the degree is closely monitored by the faculty through end-of-year reviews, and continuation in each successive year is based both on artistic and academic criteria.

BFA MUSICAL THEATRE

Admission to the musical theatre program requires a successful audition in each of three performing areas: dance, music, arid theatre. Students audition prior to the freshman year and must display talent and training potential in at least two of the three areas. Students in the program are expected to pass specially prepared proficiency examinations in all three discipline areas at the end of the freshman, sophomore, and junior years.

Click HERE for more information about the BFA in Musical Theatre Degree program

Click HERE for for BFA Musical Theatre Audition Information.

Each of the B.F.A. programs asks students to participate regularly in performance and production activities through the work of Theatre/Kent/Dance. Contact Division of Theatre Undergraduate Coordinator Steve Zapytowski or Cynthia Stillings at 330 672-2082 or theatre@kent.edu.