North Central College - Naperville, IL

Theatre

Why choose theatre at North Central College?

You’ll study with faculty who include accomplished actors working in major Chicago venues. These professor/performers will share their experiences—as well as their professional connections—with you. And because North Central has huge opportunities but small classes, you’ll have plenty of chances to act, sing and dance; direct shows; master lighting design and other technical crafts; and even write and produce your own plays and musicals. Whether you want to shine onstage or backstage, North Central is the place to be.

You can also:

  • Attend workshops and master classes with luminaries like Jane Alderman, Matt Miller and Stephen Louis Grush.
  • Concentrate in performance, technical theatre, directing or playwriting.
  • Audition for well-known agents and casting directors (including TP&R Casting, Claire Simon Casting and Stewart Talent) as part of the Senior Showcase.
  • Direct a show of your choice in our state-of-the-art facilities as part of our Student Director Series.

To learn more about experiences and opportunities here at North Central College as a theatre major, click here.

News

Emily Schmidt
Emily Schmidt of Mascoutah, Ill., was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in English Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.
North Central College presents four performances of “Canon Fire,” a composite of feminist re-imaginings of the literary and dramatic canon, April 26-29.
North Central College presents a production of the early 20th century musical “The Threepenny Opera” May 10-13.

News

Internships

  • Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier
  • XIII Pocket Productions, Chicago
  • Goodman Theater, Chicago

Careers

Recent graduates in theatre have worked at:

  • Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier
  • Goodman Theatre, Chicago
  • Peninsula Players Theatre, Door County, WI
  • Shaw Chicago
  • Montana Shakespeare, Jefferson City, MT
  • Timber Lake Playhouse, Mt. Carroll, IL
  • First Folio Shakespeare, Clarendon Hills, IL
  • Drury Lane, Oak Brook, IL
  • Bailiwick Repertory, Chicago
  • Polarity Ensemble Theatre, Chicago
  • Stage Left Theatre, Chicago
  • Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, UK
  • Theatre At The Center, Munster, IN
  • New American Theatre, Rockford, IL
  • Metropolis Theatre, Arlington Heights, IL

Feature

Will Allan

Theatre major

Will began making an impression on Chicago audiences before he graduated. As a student he played Scripps in the critically acclaimed drama The History Boys, appearing in six shows a week. (This TimeLine Theatre show sold out for 25 weeks before sweeping the Equity Jeff Awards in 2009.) While attending North Central Will was also cast as Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing at First Folio Theatre in Oak Brook, IL. Since graduating he has continued to build on his early successes, acting with Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre and Victory Gardens Theatre and the Goodman Theatre.

In addition to his growing list of acting credits, Will was among Chicago Tribune’s theater critic Chris Jones' seven top picks of 2011 in his list of “The Hot New Faces of Chicago Theater”.

Video Link
Watch Will and other successful theatre alumni talk about their experiences at North Central College.

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