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College of Arts & Sciences

Theatre

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Why pursue a theatre degree at North Central College?

Theatre majors are actors, designers, dramaturgs, educators, writers, talent agents, arts managers, and directors. With so many post-grad opportunities, if you enjoy any one aspect of theatre or even every part of theatre, this program is for you. This program is designed to prepare you to succeed in any theatrical environment but is especially equipped to help you take on the nearby Chicago industry. Our curriculum offers study in Acting, Directing & Dramaturgy, Theatrical Design & Technology, and Musical Theatre.

We aim to make our students attractive to employers through broad-based liberal arts training that expands lifelong career opportunities, while providing focused and rigorous training. We offer unique opportunities such as immediate engagement on mainstage productions, individualized mentorship and feedback, and the structured career launch of the graduating senior showcase in downtown Chicago for performers. Our faculty are professionals conversant in emerging standards and practices, ensuring that our graduates are prepared both long-term and directly following graduation, and we bring in frequent guest artists to assure a variety of approaches and networking.

Unlike other programs, students see stage time immediately, whether on design, performance, or even assistant directing. We offer an extraordinary six-show production season, including two musicals plus a seventh production that features dance. You will have ample opportunity to act, sing, dance, design, direct plays and even write and produce your own productions. Whether you want to shape what happens onstage with directing or design, or shine onstage through acting and musical theatre, a theatre major with North Central provides a strong basis for your career goals.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

  • Performing on stage and forming a sustainable, effective craft as an actor
  • Conceptualizing and building sets, lights, costumes, and makeup with hands-on experience
  • Building a design, directing, or cultivating a dramaturgical portfolio of work
  • Spending time in and around theatrical spaces, with frequent production opportunities

then a degree in THEATRE might be for you.

Why study theatre at North Central College?

In the Classroom

Coursework topics:

  • Acting Fundamentals
  • Acting Realism
  • Acting for The Musical Stage
  • Acting on Camera
  • Business of Theatre
  • Choreography
  • Collaboration
  • Costume Design
  • Devised, Radical, and Community-Based Theatre
  • Directing
  • Drafting, Rendering, Model-Making
  • Dramaturgy
  • Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
  • Lighting Design
  • Makeup
  • Music Theory for Actors
  • Musical Theatre: Audition and Portfolio
  • Musical Theatre Dance, Jazz Dance, Tap Dance, and Advanced Topics
  • Period Styles
  • Portfolio Development
  • Scenic Design
  • Script Analysis
  • Somatics
  • Stagecraft
  • Stage Management
  • Storefront Series
  • Theatre History and Literature
  • Theatre Practicum
  • Voice and Movement
  • Voice Lessons

Pfeiffer Hall
Take a virtual tour of Pfeiffer Hall, home to the theatre program classes and faculty offices.

Virtual Tour 

Beyond the Classroom

As a theatre major, you can:

  • Attend additional workshops and intensives with guest artists 
  • Audition for well-known agents and casting directors as part of the Senior Showcase
  • Direct a show of your choice in our state-of-the-art facilities as part of our student Storefront Series
  • Have frequent and focused opportunities as part of a production team
  • Tap into our faculty’s professional network, which extends throughout Chicago’s vibrant theatre community (and beyond)

More Department information

Theatre, Acting Track, B.A.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Theatre.

Core Courses

Acting Courses

Two of the following:

Theatre Practicum

Six semesters of the following:

Note:

*Theatre Practicum may be taken for zero credit hours, or for credit in partial satisfaction of elective credits, up to College limits. These hours are in addition to, not part of, the hours required for the major.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Theatre, Directing and Dramaturgy Track, B.A.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Theatre.

Core Courses

One of the following:

Advanced Electives

Four credit hours from the following:

Theatre Practicum

Six semesters of the following:

Note:

*Theatre Practicum may be taken for zero credit hours, or for credit in partial satisfaction of elective credits, up to College limits. These hours are in addition to, not part of, the hours required for the major.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Theatre Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Theatre.

A minimum of 24 credit hours, including:

Core Requirements

One of the following:

One of the following:

Electives

Eight additional credit hours from any Theatre courses. With prior advisor approval this requirement may be satisfied by non-departmental drama courses.  A maximum of three credit hours of Dance may be completed in partial satisfaction of this requirement.

Theatre Practicum Requirement

Three semesters of the following:

Note:

Theatre Practicum may be taken for zero credit hours, or for credit in partial satisfaction of Cellege electives credits, up to College limits. Practicum credit is given to students participating in any of our departmental productions. Students may get credit for: 1) Being in a show 2) Working on a show in a production assignment or crew position 3) Taking on a managerial role within the production (producer, assistant director, stage manager. These hours are in addition to, not part of, the hours required for the minor.)

Theatre Internships and Jobs

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

Internships

Recent graduates in theatre interned at:

  • Fine Arts Building, Chicago
  • Gray Talent
  • About Face Theatre
  • Lookingglass Theatre Company
  • Goodman Theatre
  • TimeLine Theatre
  • Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier

Careers

Recent graduates in theatre are working at:

  • Children’s Theater of Madison
  • Come from Away National Tour
  • Talent X Alexander Agency
  • Skokie Theatre
  • Beverly Hills Film Festival (Best Actress Winner)
  • Paramount Theatre
  • Marriott Theatre
  • The Imposters Theatre Company
  • Chicago Children’s Theatre
  • Porchlight Music Theatre
  • Teatro Vista Productions
  • Blank Theatre Company
  • Fine Arts Building, Chicago
  • Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier
  • Steppenwolf Theatre Company
  • Goodman Theatre

Invest in your future

Choosing the right college is a big decision. Don’t make it alone. North Central’s admission and financial aid team is here to help you design a financial aid solution that works best for you and your family.

Merit scholarships, grants, loans, campus employment - these are just some of the resources available to you. Over 95 percent of students and 100 percent of all eligible students receive aid. Let our team partner with you in finding the best value for your education.

Learn more about financial aid and costs for North Central College

Apply to North Central College

The first step to becoming a North Central student is reading the application instructions specific to you. Find out everything you need to know about applying by selecting the group you belong to below.

Riley Wodka '24

North Central College’s department of theatre provides students ample opportunities to gain a diverse range of experiences and express their creativity, and the first production of the 2023 – 2024 season, “pool (no water),” is no exception.  

Riley Wodka ‘24 is majoring in theatre: acting and theatrical design and technology at North Central. As part of several productions, she has already built a long list of acting and designing credentials. In “pool (no water)” Wodka had the rare opportunity to be both an ensemble lead and the sound designer.

Read more about Riley.

Riley Wodka

Riley Wodka (left) rehearsing a theatre production.