Department of Theatre

At North Central College, you get the best of both worlds: a strong liberal arts knowledge for broad appeal to employers, and immersive training that is both supportive and rigorous. 

Our designers, directors, and performers get to do what they love all semester long. Our extensive theatrical season including 2+ musicals a year runs at the frequency and quality of any exclusive arts program, while offering a comprehensive liberal arts education with hands-on pre-professionalizing opportunities to practice what you are learning in Theatre coursework.

At our long-standing Department of Theatre, we nurture talents and interests in performance, directing, dance, design, and technical theatre. Our students act, sing, and dance. Students get a unique variety of opportunities to perform, direct, design, work on theatrical crews, and develop skills and knowledge useful in the industry and beyond. Students are also welcome to double-major.

 

Major in Theatre: Acting, Directing, Design or Musical Theatre

The centerpiece of North Central College's program is the Theatre Practicum, where students receive course credit for participating in production; click here to see the variety and quality of our theatrical productions. Theatre majors and minors are required to participate in the Department of Theatre season. Your training in our state-of-the-art facilities will prepare you for professional and personal pursuits in performance and technical theatre. For designers, some examples of our impressive student portfolio work can be viewed here.

Our department offers individualized attention and opportunity as part of a robust six-show season, plus an annual Dance production. 

There are numerous opportunities to have active work on production — first years are as likely to be cast as seniors, and new designers, directors, dramaturgs, stage managers, and technicians get immediately placed on production Practicum. Students can also apply for a Theatre Scholarship.

We encourage Theatre majors to specialize. You may concentrate your studies in acting, design and technical theatre, directing and dramaturgy, or musical theatre through our array of course offerings or independent study options. All students can also minor in dance or participate in our dance productions. As a Theatre major, you can continuously hone your craft while taking traditional performance and design classes. You may study voice or dance technique in upper-level courses while taking classes in contemporary acting and musical theatre, directing, or design skills like drafting, rendering, and model-making.

 

Mission Statement 

The Department of Theatre is a community of artists/scholars/citizens dedicated to provoking and sustaining interest in theatre, as a source of insight into the human condition; through both skills and inquiry-based learning in our classrooms, and public performances on our stages. 

The Theatre program at North Central College is designed to engage students in a wide array of theory, technique, scholarship, and aesthetics that constitute the Theatre Arts. The program serves: 1) majors and minors preparing for careers in theatre, and allied careers where knowledge of theatre production is required; 2) students who take academic courses to meet general education requirements or who find courses in theatre, musical theatre, design, and dance to be attractive components of a liberal arts education; and 3) those who participate in campus musical and non-musical productions as a way of enriching their lives. 

The department offers a broad spectrum of courses in acting, dance, design, direction, music, and production. The co-curricular program, supervised by the faculty, offers students opportunities for creative expression and skills practice through both the fully mounted main stage season and several student-directed productions.


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Purchase tickets to our 2024-2025 Season here

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.

Theatrical Design and Technology, B.A.

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

Core Courses

Acting Courses

One of the following:

Theatre Design Courses

Two of the following:

Theatre Technology Courses

One 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.

Musical Theatre, B.A.

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

Core Courses

Advanced Theatre Courses

Two of the following:

Dance Courses

One of the following:

Voice Lessons

Six semesters of:

Piano Lessons

One semester of:

Theatre Practicum

Six semesters of the following:

Note:

*Voice lessons, piano lessons and 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.)

Dance Minor

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

A minimum of 24 credit hours, including:

Core Requirements

Electives

Eight credit hours from the following:

Theatre Practicum Requirement

Three semesters of Theatre Practicum (THPR 115 , THPR 116 , THPR 117 and/or THPR 118 ). Practicum credit is given to students participating in departmental productions. Students may get credit for: 1) Being in a show as a dancer 2) Working on a show in a production assignment having to do with dance. Examples include: Choreographer, Assisstant Choreographer or Dance Captain. Practicum courses may be taken for credit or no credit, and a maximum of six hours may count towards the 128 hours required for graduation. These hours are in addition to, not part of, the hours required for the minor.

NOTE: This page contains all of the regular course descriptions for this discipline or program. Not all courses are offered every year. Check Merlin, our searchable course schedule, to see which courses are being offered in upcoming terms. 

Theatre Faculty

View Photographs of Past Productions

 

North Central College 

2024-2025 Season

Purchase tickets here

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE 

Our 2024-25 Season is planned for a variety of genres, from comedy to fantastical period style; three musical pieces, including a co-production with a decades-established, award-winning theatre in Chicago; a Dance production; and our signature student Storefront Series (SFS). The Storefront Series features two faculty-mentored, fully student-directed-and-produced productions that model Chicago’s famed storefront theatre, which is an incubator for imaginative young artists. 

 

Orlando

By Sarah Ruhl

Directed by Jeremy Ohringer

Theatre at Meiley-Swallow

Wed Oct 2, Fri Oct 4, and Sat Oct 5 at 7:30 p.m. (no Thurs performance)

Sat Oct 5 and Sun Oct 6 at 2:00 p.m.

Based on the Virginia Woolf novel, this is the story of a young nobleman who is drawn into a love affair with Queen Elizabeth I. As he strives to make his way as a poet and lover, his travels keep him at the heart of a dazzling tale where gender and gender preferences shift regularly, usually with hilarious results.

 

Fall Dance Production

Directed by Cynthia Hartigan

Heininger Auditorium

Fri Oct 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Sun Oct 13 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

An original production devised by students under faculty direction, the Dance Production combines character, story, and movement. From the co-creator of past collaborations of Fusion and Connections, this production explores themes from the whimsical and witty to the nature of genuine human interconnection.

 

Broadway by the Decade

Co-Production with Porchlight Music Theatre

Directed by Lorenzo Rush Jr. 

Madden Theatre

Thurs Oct 31, Fri Nov 1, Sat Nov 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Sat Nov 2 and Sun Nov 3 at 2:00 p.m.

In this popular revue by Porchlight Music Theatre, a journey of iconic songs move through Broadway’s musical theatre history. Featuring the city’s emerging talents from North Central College, this production brings a contemporary take to the appreciation of beloved classics.

 

Heathers: The Musical


Book, Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy

Based on the film written by Daniel Waters

Directed for the Storefront Series by Nathan Dittemore

Theatre at Meiley-Swallow

Thurs Nov 21, Fri Nov 22, and Sat Nov 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Sat Nov 23 and Sun Nov 24 at 2:00 p.m.

Westerberg High is ruled by a shoulder-padded, scrunchie-wearing junta: Heather, Heather and Heather, the hottest and cruelest girls in all of Ohio. But misfit Veronica Sawyer rejects their evil regime for a new boyfriend, the dark and sexy stranger J.D., who plans to put the Heathers in their place -- six feet under.

***

In our student Storefront Series, a production is pitched, developed, and directed by the next generation of artists under faculty mentorship. Heathers: The Musical is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com.

 

The 39 Steps

Adapted by Patrick Barlow

From the novel by John Buchan

Directed by John Warrick

Madden Theatre

Thurs Feb 13, Fri Feb 14, and Sat Feb 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Sat Feb 15 and Sun Feb 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel and add a dash of Monty Python, and you have a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre. This two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters, and some good old-fashioned romance.

 

Assassins

Book by John Weidman

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr.

Directed by Landree Fleming

Music Directed by Ellie Kahn

Theatre at Meiley-Swallow

Thurs Mar 27, Fri Mar 28, and Sat Mar 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Sat Mar 29 and Sun Mar 30 at 2:00 p.m.

From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, writers Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman bend the rules of time and space, taking us on a nightmarish roller coaster ride in which assassins and would-be assassins from different historical periods meet, interact and inspire each other to harrowing acts in the name of the American Dream. A multiple Tony Award-winning theatrical tour-de-force, Assassins combines Sondheim’s signature blend of intelligently stunning lyrics and beautiful music.

 

The Serpent Lady

By Carlo Gozzi

Translated by Daniel Smith and Valentina Denzel 

Directed for the Storefront Series by Kelly Ahr

Madden Theatre

Thurs Apr 24, Fri Apr 25, and Sat Apr 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Sat Apr 26 and Sun Apr 27 at 2:00 p.m.

The final production of the season is our faculty mentored student play, which is proposed, produced, and directed entirely by students. The Serpent Lady is a commedia dell’arte fairy tale that tells the story of Cherestani, the Fairy Queen, and her mortal husband Farruscad. They must overcome numerous magical obstacles in order to be together. At its core, it is a story about how love can conquer not only death, but immortality.

Student Opportunities

Chicago's Professional Theatre
Take advantage of our proximity to one of the greatest theatre cities, and join classmates and faculty in attending theatrical performances in Chicago. See work ranging from Equity companies, national touring shows, and the imaginative "storefront" theatre productions for which Chicago is well known.

Design, Directing, and Technical Opportunities
Theatre students work closely with faculty to pursue their individual interests and to develop the skills and portfolio materials necessary to work as theatre professionals. Unlike many other institutions, advanced students are given the responsibility of working as a designer on a full production with a departmental budget. Student directors and dramaturgs can apply to direct their own production as part of the Department of Theatre season. There are multiple opportunities to work in assistant roles and train for each of these responsibilities. See some examples of the extraordinary student work produced here.

Guest Artists 
North Central College is committed to bringing in Chicago artists each year to teach, direct, or design. It is imperative to artistic growth to continue learning new perspectives during a college career. Your work with guest artists and professional faculty allows you to build relationships and extend your range of networking in a supportive environment.

Independent Study 
Working alongside a faculty member, you can create a specialized topic of interest that may not be offered as a course. Subjects range from commissioned playwriting and solo performance to costume design and European performance art. Independent studies place the learning in the students' hands.

Internships
Our excellent reputation and long-standing relationships within the Chicago theatre community enable opportunities to apply for internships with prominent theatre companies. Students have received internships at organizations such as Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, About Face Theatre, the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, Gray Talent, Lookingglass Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, and TimeLine Theatre.

Industry Workshops
You’ll be able to meet professional actors, singers, dancers, technicians, agents, and casting directors alongside your professional faculty. You will learn from these seasoned experts in weekend workshops, one-day intensives, and advanced seminars. Ask questions, trade stories, and develop an understanding of what it takes to make it in the industry.

Regional Auditions 
North Central College faculty actively support your professional development. They will assist you with one-on-one coaching of songs and monologues, provide advice on completing applications and directing or design portfolios, and help to find summer internships and opportunities. Faculty also individually prepare interested students for large annual regional auditions, such as the University/Resident Theatre Association (URTA) auditions and Chicago season generals, as well as focused job interview preparations.

Richter Grants
This program provides grants of up to $5,000 for for individual research projects and accompanying travel. Theatre students have received money to visit locations such as the following:

  • Ireland - to learn the regional dialect in preparation for work as a dialect coach
  • France - to study Ensemble Theatre and relate it to U.S. practice
  • London and New York City - to analyze the differences of musical theatre performance styles
  • U.S. Regional Theatre Festivals - to propose strategies for actor success at a "cattle call"

SEA Conference
Housed at North Central College, Self-Employment in the Arts (SEA) assists artists of all kinds in advancing their entrepreneurial skills and knowledge. Through SEA, performing artists learn key business concepts that help promote success. SEA also hosts an annual regional conference that focuses on career development for creative professionals, to which NCC students are provided a substantial discount.

Student Organizations
Student organizations receive college funding for student-proposed ideas. It is a wonderful opportunity to try out new work, or to experiment in a different creative capacity within the supportive community of your peers. Theatre students are active within theatre-producing groups such as The Company and Untitled, as well as Cardinal Dance Company, various a cappella groups, and NCC Boom!, a Boomwhackers group. See the many Student Organizations offered here -- or collaborate to create a new student organization.

Theatre Scholarships 
Scholarships are available to all students, regardless of major. Scholarships are merit-based, and vary in amount depending on the quality of your audition or directing, design, or technical portfolio and interview. If you receive a full theatre scholarship, you are required to work on one show per term in some capacity (cast or crew). You also must sign up for one technical term per year. This will allow you to obtain additional production experience. When you are not on tech term, you are expected to put in six additional hours of departmental service work per term as part of Practicum. Limited theatre scholarships with fewer requirements are available to students who are Music or Music Education Majors; these enable you to complete your obligations to both Music and Theatre. Participating in multiple aspects of production through the scholarship program gives you broader experience and deepens your knowledge as a theatre practitioner.

 

Senior Showcase 
North Central College hosts an annual showcase in Chicago featuring graduating Acting and Musical Theatre majors. This popular event is well attended by established local agents, casting directors, and other industry professionals.

Student Storefront Series
Students are selected from a competitive proposal process to direct a fully staged production that is mounted as part of North Central College's Theatre season. These students receive department support to direct their work in one of our state-of-the-art spaces, including original plays or work by emerging local playwrights.

Study Abroad 
If you wish to expand your education abroad, the Center for Global Education can help match you with one of approximately 36 programs worldwide. For instance, you may join North Central classmates in London and participate in an international exchange program to experience the theatrical culture of England.

Student and Alum News

Backstage Pass with a Theatre Major

Senior Riley Wodka ‘24 is majoring in theatre: acting and theatrical design and technology at North Central College, where the department of theatre provides students ample opportunities to gain a diverse range of experiences and express their creativity. The first production of the 2023 – 2024 season, "pool (no water)," is no exception...

 

 

 

 

Slager, Class of '20, Awarded Best Actress at the 24th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival for 'Chasing June.'

Two former Fox Valley residents have created a short film that will be screened May 4 at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. Nathan L. Slager, originally of St. Charles; and his wife Shelby Slager, originally of Elgin, co-wrote and co-produced their debut short film, “Chasing June,” in which Shelby Slager also stars and directs. The Slagers, who now reside in Los Angeles, are both graduates of North Central College in Naperville...

 

 

 

 

A community comes apart in ‘A Devil Comes to Town’

"The text is beautiful and strange and it requires some acting chops. They’ve grown a lot trying to make that happen." There are shadow puppets too, meaning the students must juggle a lot while acting with heavy themes, he said. "The story of the play is about a bunch of people who are not getting along and a town sort of tearing itself apart," he said. "In order to tell a story like this the ensemble has to really love and take care of each other deeply so the audience isn’t worried about them. One of the casts’ strengths is their generosity towards each other. In order to go there in this creepy upsetting world, they have to be really kind and supportive of each other and they’re absolutely that..."

 

 

 

 

What a Homecoming: Broadway Vet Lucia Spina Dazzles in Marriott's Outstanding 'Gypsy'

A formidable role requires a prodigious talent. And Marriott Theatre's outstanding revival of “Gypsy” has such a powerhouse in Lucia Spina [Class of  '97]. Eighteen years after she last performed in Lincolnshire, the Broadway veteran returns to play Rose, the pushy stage mother determined to make vaudeville stars of her daughters and maybe claim a bit of the spotlight herself...

 

 

 

 

‘Carmela Full of Wishes’ Invites Audiences at Chicago Children’s Theatre to See the World through Her Eyes

Carmela, the eponymous dreamer, makes her entrance on a scooter that she will use throughout the show, zooming up and down between the seats that line the stage on two sides. Giddy with excitement that she is turning 7 today, Carmela announces that one of her dearest wishes has come true: she is now old enough to visit the laundromat with her older brother. Colombian actress Maria Clara Ospina [Class of '23] plays Carmela in an open, engaging manner, with every emotion dialed up to full blast, which suits the ages of both the character and the audience...

 

 

 

 

 

Gelaine Vestal ’21 Earns National Playwriting Award

When Vestal first learned about the Barlow prize as a first-year student, they didn’t feel prepared to enter the competition, but by junior year their mindset had changed dramatically. "I knew I had to take my shot," they recalled. Vestal credits their faculty for much of this transformation and for their development as a writer. "My writing has grown tremendously during my time at North Central. We have some wonderful English professors who push us to do our best while also being our true creative selves. North Central can be a really great place for writers if they are truly passionate..."

 

 

 

 

Musical theatre major dances her way into "Dance Nation" at Steppenwolf Theatre

Ariana Burks ’21 is already a seasoned theatre professional in Chicago and most recently built upon her experience as Sofia in “Dance Nation.” Burks has a long list of impressive credentials, including other roles at the Steppenwolf, the Goodman Theatre, the Writers Theatre, House Theatre of Chicago, Chicago Children’s Theatre, the Paramount Theatre and Drury Lane Oak Brook...

 

 

 

 

Behind the scenes with “Sweeney Todd” choreographer Carter Sherman ’19

With dress rehearsals underway for North Central College theatre program’s senior musical “Sweeney Todd,” we managed to steal some precious time from the show’s choreographer, Carter Sherman ’19, who gave us a glimpse behind the curtain in a Q&A...

 

 

 

Our Hot New Faces of Chicago Theater: Here come the next names to know, Class of 2018

They’ve impressed us at TimeLine. Knocked us out at Victory Gardens. Made us chortle at Second City. Blown us away at the Lookingglass. They’re a diverse crew but they all are into truth and creativity, ensemble and commitment, theater and Chicago...

 

 

 

North Central’s partnership with Chicago theater recognized in 50th annual Jeff Award nominations

Twenty-four world-premiere plays and musicals are among the nominees for the 2018 Equity Joseph Jefferson Awards, which recognize exceptional theatrical productions in the Chicagoland area. Among the 178 nominations in 31 categories, North Central stands alone as the only college amid the competition...

Interested In Theatre?

Our Facilities

Madden Theater

171 East Chicago Avenue

The Madden Theatre is a versatile black box theatre located in North Central College’s impressive arts facility, the Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center.  

Because of its flexible stage configuration, it features experimental work, new plays, and productions that emphasize student designs.

The Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall

31 South Ellsworth Street

Renovated and modernized in 2007, this former historical church building features our intimate 239-seat theatre with a thrust stage. 

Pfeiffer Hall

310 East Benton Avenue

Pfeiffer Hall first opened in 1926 as one of the largest theatres in Illinois.  It is a grand and illustrious theatre featuring large-scale musicals.  Its legacy is impressive too, with renowned speakers such as Dr. Martin Luther King appearing here throughout its history.

Wentz Concert Hall

171 East Chicago Avenue

Musical Theatre students who take part in choirs and choruses often perform in the Wentz Concert Hall, also located in North Central College’s impressive arts facility.

Our Location

Contact Us

Have any questions? Contact the Chair of the Theatre Department:

Laura Lodewyck

lalodewyck@noctrl.edu

(630)-637-5297