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Theatre & Dance


The Department of Theatre & Dance invites our students to...

 

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Theatre & Dance Majors & Minors

Reach your full potential.

Two women and two men danceing.
B.A. & Minor

Dance majors and minors gain technical and performance experience in the genres of ballet, jazz, modern, and tap dance, explored in both concert and commercial dance forms.

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Man and woman sitting together on stage laughing.
B.A., B.F.A. Performing Arts, & Minor

As a theatre major or minor you will prepare to work professionally across artistic boundaries in the quickly evolving world of theatre where you will be creating your own opportunities, leading the collaborative process, and training to be the next generation of artists.

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Four people acting in Tartuffe.
B.F.A. Performing Arts & Minor

If you are contemplating a life on stage, or in front of the camera, consider a major in the B.F.A. in Acting.  With the B.F.A. in Acting you'll take over 20 hours of acting classes.  You'll also have a chance to study topics such as stage makeup, directing, dance, theatre for young audiences, design, stage management, and technical theatre. 

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Woman singing as paper swirls around her.
B.F.A. Performing Arts & Minor

If musical theatre performance is your passion, consider the B.F.A. in Performing Arts: Musical Theatre, combining training in acting, singing, and dancing.

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Theatre tech set-up in darkened theatre.
B.F.A. Performing Arts

Theatre Design & Technology program prepares students to encounter the challenges and artistic opportunities that make a successful career in theatre design and technology.

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Group of women smiling and sitting on stage.
Minor

Does the business side of the arts interest you?  Are you thinking of opening a dance studio, working in the development office of a theatre company, or starting a youth theatre program?  The Minor in Arts Administration is an introduction to field. 

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Our B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) in Theatre is a traditional Liberal Arts degree, designed to provide a solid foundation in all aspects of theatre while leaving some flexibility to pursue your own particular interests. You will need to combine it with a minor, or even a second major.  Our B.A. in Theatre does not require an audition.

Our B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Arts) is a pre-professional degree.  It involves rigorous, conservatory-style training intended to hone your skills for entry into the professional world of the performing arts.  Our B.F.A. involves both a broad introduction to all aspects of theatre and concentrated training in either Acting, Musical Theatre, or Theatre Design & Technology.   

Our scholarships can be stacked on top of other WKU First-Year Freshmen Scholarships you might receive, up to the cost of attendance. We encourage everyone considering a major in our department to audition or interview for a scholarship. 

1st Year Freshman Scholarships

Current Student Scholarships

Auditions* 

*An audition is required for all scholarship applicants. Students wishing to major in Dance must also participate in the department’s initial dance placement audition process.

Our scholarships can be stacked on top of other WKU First-Year Freshmen Scholarships you might receive, up to the cost of attendance. We encourage everyone considering a major in our department to audition or interview for a scholarship. 

1st Year Freshman Scholarships

Current Student Scholarships

Auditions* 

*An audition is required for all scholarship applicants. Some theatre programs require audition for admission. Check the audition page for audition information.

 

 


We are committed to helping our students prepare for life after college. Meet Our Alumni!

 

Logos for the Book of Mormon, The Wizard of Oz, Gardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Girl Meets World, and Orange is the New Black

 

 

Woman playing an elf on stage with hands in the air..


At Western Kentucky University, we believe that what you learn in the shops, the studios, and onstage is every bit as important as what happens in the classroom.  Our intensive production season provides plenty of hands on experience. 
 
On average, we offer 15 to 20 different productions every year, including:
  • 4 Mainstage Theatre productions, including at least one musical

  • 2 Mainstage dance concerts

  • 3 Student-choreographed dance concerts

  • A Theatre for Young Audience Series of 2 or 3 productions

  • A Next Stage Series of student created works

  • A Rising Artist Series of showcases and works in progress

 

 

 


Alumni Dance Logos: Radio City Rockettes, Black Grace, Cincinnati Ben-Gals Mutual Dance Company, Tennessee Ballet Theatre

 

 

 


We are determined to be a department where you can reach your full potential. All of our degree programs are designed to balance theory and practice. We've brought together a remarkable faculty, an exciting production season, and exceptional facilities so that every component is in place for your success.  

Our faculty will challenge you, we'll collaborate with you, and we'll care about you.

 

Faculty helping a student with form.

 

 

 


5 Alumni Theatre Logos: Williamstown Theatre Festival, Eugene ONeill Theater Center, Cirque du Soleil Charleston Stage Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville

 

 

 

Woman standing with a stage costume dress.


The Costume Shop

The costume shop for the WKU Department of Theatre & Dance is a fun and vibrant place where students have the chance to become involved with all aspects of the costuming process, from design to production. Creative opportunities include designing costumes for departmental productions. You will learn draping dyeing, fabric modification, mask making, millinery work, and other costume craft techniques.

Costume Shop

 

The Scene 

The Scene Shop is located below the Russell Miller Theatre.  The main part of the shop measures just under 1000 sq. ft. in size and utilizes a 1-ton lift to move scenery pieces on stage. This room houses all bench and power tools as well as the paints work area.

Scene Shop

 

 


 

 


The Theatre & Dance department at Western Kentucky University utilizes facilities in three separate buildings; the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center (FAC), Gordon Wilson Hall (GWH), and Van Meter Auditorium (VM).

The Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center houses the technical classrooms and shops, technical faculty offices, individual music practice rooms, and the Russell Miller Theatre.

Gordon Wilson Hall houses the Theatre & Dance department office, the dance studios, dance faculty offices, departmental library, theatre faculty offices, classrooms, rehearsal rooms, and the Gordon Wilson Lab Theatre. 

 4 Images of WKU's Theatres and Dance Rehearsal Spaces

 

 


 

 

Photo: We met Lin-Manuel Miranda in New York City!


In the WKU Department of Theatre & Dance we encourage all of our students to venture out into the world and learn more about arts and culture worldwide.  Our faculty have led past trips to New York to study dance and New York and London to study theatre. Our majors have used the opportunities provided through WKU Global Learning to travel and study in places like Israel, Ghana, Belgium, China, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Guatemala, India, and more. 

 

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Students collaborate closely with department faculty in many ways:

 Woman on stage with painist.

 

 

 


 

 

We want to help you find your passion and make that passion a reality.

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 Last Modified 3/15/24