Theatre & Dance - major

Find your artistic home among our community of faculty and student performers, then explore new modes of performance through immersive experiences in China, India, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and beyond.

Arts Merit Scholarships recognize students with extraordinary talents in the arts.

The major in theatre offers opportunities in all phases of theatre arts: dramatic literature and criticism, engineering/technology, history, performance and design, and the freedom to customize your major around your interests and needs. Throughout the academic year, students can get involved in a variety of theatre productions in the Tustin Studio Theatre and the Harvey M. Powers Theatre.

Students pursuing a concentration in acting, directing, design or dramaturgy/playwriting are advised to select additional electives in related areas (dance, art, music, philosophy, etc.) in addition to advanced performance, design or theory courses. A suggested guideline for each concentration is available from your adviser.

See detailed major requirements

A minor in theatre is available for students who wish to broaden their experience in theatre arts. The department offers three theatre minors: acting & directing, design & technology and general theatre.

See detailed minor requirements

The study of technology and design in the theatre & dance department is based on practice. Each production season offers students many opportunities in the areas of costume, scenery, properties, lighting, video and sound. This real-world laboratory environment offers hands-on experience that builds and tests creative problem-solving skills in researching, drawing, designing and building, preparing students for in-demand behind-the-scenes careers.

Theatre merit scholarships are available for prospective students who major in theatre, and to engineering or education majors who minor in either acting & directing or design & technology.

Learn more about Arts Merit Scholarships

The minor in dance emphasizes solid foundations in ballet and modern, with additional courses offered in jazz technique, social dance, Chinese watersleeves, musical theatre and advanced training. Theory courses include dance composition, dance history, production and design, arts pedagogy and interdisciplinary performance studies.

Upper-level technique courses are repeatable for academic credit to recognize the dancer's ongoing training. Guest artists from the professional dance world teach master classes and set choreography each semester. Students do not need to minor in dance in order to take classes.

See detailed minor requirements

Dance merit scholarships are available to prospective students who minor in dance. Scholarships are awarded based on potential and ability displayed during an on-campus audition.

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Students studying theatre & dance at Bucknell build transferable, in-demand skills that can be applied across fields. Besides the stage, our graduates have found jobs in diverse industries, from business to education to law, while maintaining a passion for the performing arts that continues throughout their lives. Some of the skills you’ll build by studying theatre & dance include:

The major in theatre and minor in dance prepares you for exciting jobs in the arts or other professional careers where your artistic skills will shine. Students also build transferable skills that can be applied across fields, from business to education to law. Bucknellians have been cast in, stage managed for, or been admitted to:

The Department of Theatre & Dance supports a costume studio, a dance studio and two theatre spaces: The Harvey M. Powers Theatre in Coleman Hall and Tustin Studio Theatre.

For technical information, please contact Heath Hansum, lighting & sound design/production manager, at or 570-577-3492.

Explore our performance and learning spaces

141 Coleman Hall