Theatre and Dance
W. Jenkins, Chairperson
bsu.edu/theatre
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers BFA degree programs in Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance, and Design and Technology, and BA/BS degree programs in Design and Technology, Theatre Creation, Theatre Education, Directing, Stage Management, and Dance. Minor studies are available in Dance Theatre, Technical Theatre, Directing, and New Works For the Stage. The Theatre Creation concentration offers a more liberal arts approach to the discipline, and the Theatre Education program trains and licenses students to teach at the secondary school level.
Students seeking admittance to the BFA programs in Acting, Dance, Design and Technology, and Musical Theatre must complete an audition and/or interview process after which select applicants will be selected for admission. BA/BS students in Dance are also required to audition, but the audition is for placement purposes only and does not determine admission status. Interviews are recommended but not required for admission into the other programs. Students in the Directing and Stage Management concentration enter in the concentration and are retained beyond the freshman year based on their end-of-year interview. Many Theatre and Dance Majors are required to register for a senior level capstone course that is to be organized and completed under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
BFA Acting and Musical Theatre students must pass a jury at the end of their freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years to continue in these programs. BFA Dance students must pass a jury, portfolio review, and interview in the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years to continue in the program. BFA Design and Technology students must present a portfolio at the end of each semester and must pass an exit portfolio review at the end of the senior year to complete the program. BA/BS Design and Technology students must present a portfolio every spring semester and must pass an exit interview to complete the program. Theatre Education students must complete interviews and other assessments as directed by Teacher’s College. Directing, Stage Management, Theatre Creation, and BA/BS Dance students must complete interviews or portfolio reviews as directed by their concentration. Further, the continuation of any major within the department is contingent on meeting the criteria detailed in the Theatre and Dance Departmental Student Handbook, available through the Departmental Canvas Community.
The production program features a stylistically varied, culturally diverse, and technologically enhanced series of shows within four performance venues. These plays, musicals, and dance concerts are integral to a student’s training and education.
Students are not permitted to complete multiple concentrations within the department. Students may complete a major and a minor within the department, but no more than six credits from the major can count towards the minor.
Ball State University is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre and National Association of Schools of Dance.