If you are a prospective student and would like to receive more information about studying Theatre at the University of Indianapolis, please fill out our Prospective Student Questionaire. If you are the parent of a prospective student, please visit our Prospective Parent Information page.
The Department of Theatre offers a broad preparation that will serve as a solid foundation for any theatre specialization. Our classes encompass the areas of:
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In the Department of Theatre, we pride ourselves on our high standards and professional attitude. Learning takes place in a creative and nurturing atmosphere, where we attempt to strike a balance between liberal arts and professional goals. As a Theatre student, you will work hard and make sacrifices, but will also gain the gratification of a job well done. The skills you will develop as a Theatre major--collaboration, time management, self presentation and confidence, communication, and so on--will benefit you in whatever field you eventually choose.
The Department offers Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theatre and a Theatre Teaching Major. Both majors include classes in acting, directing, theatre technology, design, play analysis, and theatre history. In conjunction with the Department of Music, we offer a Music/Theatre Concentration which allows a Theatre student to combine Music and Theatre coursework.
It is very possible to double major in Theatre and many other disciplines. The general education core is the same for most majors, so it would only be a matter of coordinating the discipline-specific courses in each area. For those interested in majoring in another discipline but still taking the foundational Theatre courses, we offer a Theatre Minor. Of course, you may still be very involved in production work whether you are a major, a minor, or a non-major.
The courses listed under Theatre in the UIndy Academic Catalog are just the beginning. We utilize courses taught by the English Department, Communications Department, Art Department and from the Music Technology & Recording Degree to augment what our own department offers. We also have numerous courses that are not specifically listed in the catalogue, which are offered as your needs dictate. These are offered as "Special Topic" courses. Click HERE for Theatre Curriculum Guides downoadable as Word documents.
You will take many of your theatre courses early in your academic career to prepare you for onstage roles and backstage positions of responsibility, so you may put into practice what you learn in the classroom. In fact, the various performance spaces are truly considered classrooms where much of your learning occurs.
We take academics very seriously and believe in the liberal arts philosophy. We are interested in nurturing well-rounded human beings, who will make the best theatre artists. We feel it is crucial for all theatre students to understand history, philosophy, mathematics, the scientific method, computers, religion, multiculturalism, and the rest of the myriad disciplines in the liberal arts. Such an understanding will make you a better actor, designer, director, and technician.
We carry this philosophy into the Theatre curriculum. Although the department has developed two distinct tracks for our students — Performance/Directing focus and Design/Production focus — you will be taking a wide range of courses in every theatre discipline. As a performer, you will be required to take Scene Design, Lighting Design, Costume Design and other technical courses. Likewise, as a designer, you will be required to take Acting and Directing courses.
Click HERE to learn about Technical Theatre at UIndy.
In addition to the liberal arts academic preparation, we understand the importance of preparing our students for the realities of a career in the theatre. To this end, the Department is very interested in placing students in internship or apprenticeship opportunities with local, regional, or national theatres.
Our students are working with several Indianapolis theatres including the Lilly Theatre of the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Civic Theatre, Theatre on the Square, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Actors Theatre of Indiana, and the American Cabaret Theatre. After graduation, prospective employers value professional or other non-college work experience on an applicant's résumé. We encourage students to pursue theatre work outside of the department as long as such work does not interfere with course work or departmental responsibilities.
We also hire theatre professionals from the Indianapolis theatre community as teachers, designers, directors, and technicians. This allows you to network with working professionals, and to gain broader artistic perspectives. Please visit our Guest Artist page for more information about these theatre artists.
Contact Dr. Brad Wright, Director of Theatre at bwright@uindy.edu
(800) 232–8634 (317) 788-3226.
© University of Indianapolis • 1400 East Hanna Avenue •
Indianapolis, Indiana 46227 • U.S.A.
(317) 788–3455 • 800–232–8634 • theatre.uindy.edu • bwright@uindy.edu
