BA in Theatre & Performing Arts

Why pursue a theatre degree at North Central College?

As a theatre major, you'll study with faculty who include accomplished actors and dramaturgs working in major Chicago venues who will share their expertise 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, and even write and produce your own plays and musicals within your theatre program. Or you can choose to concentrate your studies on directing, dramaturgy, community engagement, and radical theatre practice. Whether you want to shine on stage or shape what happens in theatrical production, North Central is the place to be.

You can also:

• Attend workshops and master classes with luminaries like Will Allan, Leah Karpel, Matt Miller, Caroline Neff, Sheri Sanders, and Larry Yando.
• Concentrate on performance, theatre design, technical theatre, directing, or play creation.
• 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.

Theatre, Acting Track, BA

Major Requirements

Core Courses

• THEA 100 - Script Analysis
• THEA 141 - Stagecraft
• THEA 144 - Makeup
• THEA 150 - Acting Fundamentals
• THEA 250 - Acting Realism
• THEA 304 - Theatre History and Literature I
• THEA 305 - Theatre History and Literature II
• THEA 459 - Business of Theatre

Acting Courses

Two of the following:

• THEA 251 - Introduction to Voice and Movement
• THEA 350 - Acting Shakespeare
• THEA 365 - Acting on Camera
• THEA 450 - Period Styles

Theatre Practicum

Six semesters of the following:

• THEA 115 - Practicum
• THEA 116 - Practicum
• THEA 117 - 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.

Additional Requirements for the BA Degree

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language.

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