The mission of the Department of Theatre and Dance is to provide a pre-professional, liberal arts experience in a conservatory style, for all students within the disciplines of acting (stage and film), musical theatre, dance, design and technology, directing, stage management, theatrical studies, and theatre education.  The department is committed to having an ethnically and culturally diverse, stylistically varied, and technologically enhanced production season that is driven by our curriculum choices.  The department encourages National, Regional, Community, and University partnerships that broaden the educational and professional experiences of both our students and our faculty.

The objectives of the theatre unit are (not in priority order):

• To provide academic training and practical experience for students who wish to pursue careers in theatre and related fields or who wish to continue their studies at an advanced professional or graduate program.
• To develop the students' artistic sensitivity, creativity, and integrity.
• To afford the opportunity for students to develop a significant level of competency in one option area--acting, design and technology, musical theatre, or theatrical studies.
• To expand students' knowledge of theatre history, dramatic literature, and dramatic theory as well as current trends in the theatrical arts.
• To enable students to develop a variety of skills that will allow them to effectively participate in the creation of quality theatrical performances.
• To encourage an appreciation and understanding of related disciplines such as dance and performance studies.
• To provide a quality Introduction to Theatre course for the University Core Curriculum program that will encourage students to become enlightened and appreciative audience members.
• To expand the liberal education of all students who enroll in theatre courses or who participate in theatrical productions.
• To assist in the preparation of future teachers of theatre in the public or private school system, K-12 (theatre education).
• To foster appreciation of the theatre around us--on television, in film, and on the stage.
• To provide students with career counseling and actor showcases in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago in order to facilitate the transition between undergraduate training and the profession, graduate school, or other potential areas of employment.
• To serve as a cultural resource for the university, the communities in East Central Indiana, and the State of Indiana.
• To engender in our students, the University community, and the general population of East Central Indiana an appreciation and understanding of theatre and how it has enriched our cultural and aesthetic life.