
Theatre & Performing Arts
Why pursue a theatre degree at North Central College?
Theatre majors are actors, dramaturgs, costumers, educators, writers, talent agents 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 theatre scene in companies like Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf, The Other Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Greenhouse Theatre and more.
At North Central, you’ll study with faculty who are accomplished actors and dramaturgs working in the Chicago theatre scene. You will have ample opportunity to act, sing and dance, direct plays and even write and produce your own productions. Whether you want to shape what happens backstage with a Directing and Dramaturgy emphasis or shine onstage with an Acting emphasis, a theatre major with North Central is sure to provide a strong start to your career.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
- Performing on stage and giving characters personality
- Designing and building stage sets, creating costumes and doing makeup
- Spending time in and around theatrical spaces
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 Shakespeare
- Acting for The Musical Stage
- Acting on Camera
- American Musical Theatre
- Business of Theatre
- Collaboration
- Contemporary Acting Styles
- Devised, Radical, and Community-Based Theatre
- Directing
- Dramaturgy
- Introduction to Voice and Movement
- Makeup
- Musical Theatre Dance
- Period Styles
- Script Analysis
- Stagecraft
- Theatre History and Literature
Beyond the Classroom
As a theatre major, you can:
- Attend workshops and master classes with luminaries like Will Allan, Leah Karpel, Matt Miller, Caroline Neff, Sheri Sanders and Larry Yando.
- Audition for well-known agents and casting directors (including Paskal Rudnicke 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 directed series.• Tap into our faculty’s professional network, which extends throughout Chicago’s vibrant theatre community (and beyond).
Theatre, Acting Track, B.A.
For additional programs and courses in this department, see Theatre.
Core Courses
-
THEA 100 - Script Analysis
THEA 100 - Script Analysis
-
THEA 141 - Stagecraft
THEA 141 - Stagecraft
-
THEA 144 - Makeup
THEA 144 - Makeup
-
THEA 150 - Acting Fundamentals
THEA 150 - Acting Fundamentals
-
THEA 250 - Acting Realism
THEA 250 - Acting Realism
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THEA 304 - Theatre History and Literature I
THEA 304 - Theatre History and Literature I
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THEA 305 - Theatre History and Literature II
THEA 305 - Theatre History and Literature II
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THEA 459 - Business of Theatre
THEA 459 - Business of Theatre
Acting Courses
Two of the following:
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THEA 251 - Introduction to Voice and Movement
THEA 251 - Introduction to Voice and Movement
-
THEA 350 - Acting Shakespeare
THEA 350 - Acting Shakespeare
-
THEA 365 - Acting on Camera
THEA 365 - Acting on Camera
-
THEA 450 - Period Styles
THEA 450 - Period Styles
Theatre Practicum
Six semesters of the following:
-
THEA 115 - Practicum
THEA 115 - Practicum
-
THEA 116 - Practicum
THEA 116 - Practicum
-
THEA 117 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
THEA 117 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
-
THEA 118 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
THEA 118 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
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
Theatre, Directing and Dramaturgy Track, B.A.
For additional programs and courses in this department, see Theatre.
Core Courses
-
THEA 100 - Script Analysis
THEA 100 - Script Analysis
-
THEA 150 - Acting Fundamentals
THEA 150 - Acting Fundamentals
-
THEA 235 - Introduction to Dramaturgy
THEA 235 - Introduction to Dramaturgy
-
THEA 304 - Theatre History and Literature I
THEA 304 - Theatre History and Literature I
-
THEA 305 - Theatre History and Literature II
THEA 305 - Theatre History and Literature II
-
THEA 330 - Directing
THEA 330 - Directing
-
THEA 495 - Storefront Series
THEA 495 - Storefront Series
One of the following:
-
THEA 140 - Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
THEA 140 - Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
-
THEA 245 - Stage Management
THEA 245 - Stage Management
Advanced Electives
Four credit hours from the following:
-
THEA 405 - Advanced Topics in History, Literature and Critical Theory
THEA 405 - Advanced Topics in History, Literature and Critical Theory
-
THEA 433 - Collaboration
THEA 433 - Collaboration
-
THEA 434 - Devised, Radical and Community-Based
THEA 434 - Devised, Radical and Community-Based
Theatre Practicum
Six semesters of the following:
-
THEA 115 - Practicum
THEA 115 - Practicum
-
THEA 116 - Practicum
THEA 116 - Practicum
-
THEA 117 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
THEA 117 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
-
THEA 118 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
THEA 118 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
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
Theatre Minor
For additional programs and courses in this department, see Theatre.
A minimum of 24 credit hours, including:
Core Requirements
-
THEA 100 - Script Analysis
THEA 100 - Script Analysis
-
THEA 141 - Stagecraft
THEA 141 - Stagecraft
-
THEA 144 - Makeup
THEA 144 - Makeup
One of the following:
-
THEA 101 - Introduction to Acting
THEA 101 - Introduction to Acting
-
THEA 150 - Acting Fundamentals
THEA 150 - Acting Fundamentals
One of the following:
-
THEA 304 - Theatre History and Literature I
THEA 304 - Theatre History and Literature I
-
THEA 305 - Theatre History and Literature II
THEA 305 - Theatre History and Literature II
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:
-
THEA 115 - Practicum
THEA 115 - Practicum
-
THEA 116 - Practicum
THEA 116 - Practicum
-
THEA 117 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
THEA 117 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
-
THEA 118 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
THEA 118 - Practicum: Musical Theatre
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:
- Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier
- The Other Theatre Company
- Goodman Theater, Chicago
- American Theatre Company
- Greenhouse Theater, Chicago
Careers
Recent graduates in theatre are working at:
- Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier
- Steppenwolf, Chicago
- Goodman Theatre, Chicago
- Peninsula Players Theatre, Door County, Wis.
- Montana Shakespeare, Jefferson City, Mont.
- Timber Lake Playhouse, Mt. Carroll, Ill.
- First Folio Shakespeare, Clarendon Hills, Ill.
- Drury Lane, Oak Brook, Ill.
- American Theatre Company, Chicago
- Polarity Ensemble Theatre, Chicago
- Royal Caribbean Productions
- Theatre Royal Haymarket, London
- Theatre At The Center, Munster, Ind.
- Norwegian Cruise Lines
- Metropolis Theatre, Arlington Heights, Ill.
- Greenhouse Theater, Chicago
Invest in your future
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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
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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.

Riley Wodka (left) rehearsing a theatre production.