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Department of Theatre

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2240 Campus Drive
Evanston,Illinois 60208
847.491.7023
dear-soc@northwestern.edu

DEGREES OFFERED

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre - Acting

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre - Design and Management

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre - Music Theatre

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre - Playwritin


Our belief is that the best theatre artists—designers, actors, playwrights, dancers and directors—combine highly developed performance capabilities with a broad knowledge of the theatre literature and theory. You’ll have the opportunity to study and practice acting, voice, movement, dance, directing, design, stage production, playwriting and dramaturgy, along with theatre history, literature and criticism. You’ll develop the ability to analyze situations and complex social issues from a variety of perspectives, while developing skills in research, writing, group discussion, oral presentation, performance and production. Whether your focus is acting, directing, playwriting, production or design, you’ll have ample opportunity to practice your craft. As many as forty productions are staged each year in the multi-stage Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts, with an equal number of student productions across campus. Our faculty have a rich collective of expertise, including history of the theatre, acting and directing, dance, music theatre, creative drama, storytelling, children’s theatre, playwriting, stage management, and costume, set and light design. Many faculty members also work as professionals in productions in Chicago and nationally. Many theatre undergraduates go on to enjoy success as theatre, television, and film artists. Others find that with the combination of theatrical studies and a solid liberal arts education, they are prepared to pursue a career in a variety of fields, including law, teaching, business, performance coaching, and sales and marketing.

Notable Alumni Include:

Ann-Margret, Patricia Neal, Warren Beatty, Megan Mullally, Frank Galati, David Schwimmer, Craig Bierko, Brian d'Arcy James, Jason Moore, Shelley Long, Richard Kind, Zach Braff, George Newbern, Denis O'Hare, Jerry Orbach, Dermot Mulroney, Greg Berlanti, Seth Meyers, Cloris Leachman, Richard Lewis, Richard Block, Charles Busch, Clancy Brown, Bruno Campos, Stephen Colbert, Harry Lennix, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Gregg Edelman, Stephanie Shemin D'Abruzzo, Tony Randall, Tony Roberts, Barbara Gaines, Charlotte Rae, Tom Galantich, Jeri Ryan, Frank Galati, Ana Gasteyer, Michael Greif, Ileen Getz, Heather Headley, Charlton Heston, Marg Helgenberger, Laura Innes, Jennifer Jones, Martha Lavey, John Musial, Margaret Nagle, Paula Prentiss, Peter Strauss, Kimberley Williams, Mary Zimmerman, Jim Weitzer, Dawn Westlake




Faculty Info:

Masi Asare, Danielle Bainbridge, David H. Bell, Andrew Boyce, Michael Brown, Stan Brown, Barbara Butts, David Catlin, Vanessa Champagne, Rives Collins, Shana Cooper, Tracy C. Davis, Amanda Dehnert, Marcus Doshi, Shawn Douglass, Roger Ellis, Melissa Foster, Linda Gates, Henry Godinez, Cindy Gold, John Haas, Jeffery Hancock, Roxane Heinze-Bradshaw, Tasia A. Jones, Halena Kays, Lynn Kelso, Ana Kuzmanic, Susan A. Lee, Sandra Marquez, Kelli Nichol McHugh, Dawn A. Mora, Julie Marie Myatt, Ryan T. Nelson, Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz , Detra Payne, Dassia Posner, Tommy Rapley, Linda Roethke, Todd Rosenthal, Laura Schellhardt, Anna D. Shapiro, Gail Shapiro, Billy Siegenfeld, Elizabeth W. Son, Eric Southern, Jessica Thebus, Joel Valentín-Martínez, Ann E. Woodworth.



Related Articles

USM Theatre to Present LITTLE WOMEN THE BROADWAY MUSICAL
by Josh Sharpe - March 12, 2025


The University of Southern Maine Department of Theatre will welcome Spring with the fantastical & heartwarming Little Women, the Broadway Musical, April 4-13th at Russell Hall on the USM Gorham Campus.

Six Finalists Unveiled For 2025 Young Playwright Festival at Wharton Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 06, 2025


​Experience the original works of six 2025 Young Playwrights Festival finalists on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Wharton Center's Pasant Theatre. Learn more and see how to attend!

Late Night Theatre Company Presents COME PLAY WITH US! New Plays Festival
by A.A. Cristi - February 20, 2025


The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa's Department of Theatre & Dance and Kennedy Theatre will present Late Night Theatre Company's new playwriting showcase, Come Play with Us! New Plays Festival.

NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Set for UTA Theatre Arts and Dance
by Blair Ingenthron - February 08, 2025


The University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will present Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, the 2012 electropop opera by writer/composer, Dave Malloy, based on Leo Tolstoy's novel War and Peace.

THE TRICK to Open at Theatre 68 in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - January 21, 2025


The Trick, written by Joe Praml, and directed by Linnea V. Praml will be presented at Theatre 68 Arts Complex in February. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

THE TRICK Comes to Theatre 68 This Month
by Stephi Wild - January 06, 2025


The Trick is coming to Theatre 68 this month. The play is written by Joe Praml, directed by Linnea V. Praml, and produced by Epiphany Productions and Los Angeles Valley College Department of Theatre and Dance.

CABARET & More – Check Out This Week's Top Stage Mags
by Michael Major - November 29, 2024


Check out this week's top show programs from BroadwayWorld's Stage Mag! This week includes University of Montevallo Department of Theatre, The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens, and River Stage at the Cosumnes River College Black Box Theatre. 

USM Theatre To Present TOO MUCH LIGHT MAKES THE BABY GO BLIND (30 PLAYS IN 60 MINUTES)
by A.A. Cristi - November 25, 2024


USM Department of Theatre brings the Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (30 Plays in 60 Minutes) to Russell Hall Stage, running December 5-8, 2024.

UTA Theatre Arts and Dance to Present DANCE DECONSTRUCTED
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 18, 2024


Explore innovative storytelling through dynamic movement at the University of Texas at Arlington's DANCE DECONSTRUCTED, featuring new works by faculty and student choreographers. Learn how to purchase tickets.

ON THE TOWN to be Presented at The University of Texas at Arlington
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 05, 2024


The University of Texas at Arlington's Theatre Arts and Dance Department will present a production of ON THE TOWN, a musical comedy about three sailors exploring New York City during World War II. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH at UT Department Of Theatre And Dance
by Sabrina Wallace - November 03, 2024


The UT Department of Theatre and Dance’s delightful adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved children's tale, James and the Giant Peach, provides a whimsical escape into a world where adventure and imagination flourish, leaving audiences with smiles and warm memories. #ATXTheatre

B. Iden Payne Awards 2023-24 Nominees Revealed - See the Full List
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 25, 2024


Join the B. Iden Payne Awards Council at the Austin Scottish Rite Theatre to honor excellence in Austin theatre, recognizing achievements across various genres. Learn how to attend.

USM Department of Theatre to Present THE WIZARD OF OZ Radio Play & Listening Party
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 09, 2024


The University of Southern Maine's Department of Theatre will present a radio play adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ to launch their 2024-2025 season, offering a fresh take on the classic tale. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Spotlight: 2024/2025 SEASON at Texas Theatre and Dance
by BWW Special Offer - September 13, 2024


Texas Theatre and Dance will present 2024/2025 Season

Resident Ensemble Players Names Steve Tague As Producing Artistic Director
by Chloe Rabinowitz - July 25, 2024


Steve Tague has been appointed as the Producing Artistic Director of the Resident Ensemble Players at the University of Delaware. Learn more!



Past Student Productions

SHOW THEATER
The Prom
(11/10/23 - 11/19/23)
Northwestern University
Marisol
(7/22/22 - 7/24/22)
Northwestern University
Men on Boats
(5/27/22 - 5/29/22)
Northwestern University
The Billboard in Broadway The Billboard
(6/23/22 - 5/17/22)
Abbott Hall at Northwestern University, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago
Our New Town in Broadway Our New Town
(10/15/21 - 10/16/21)
Piven Theatre Workshop
Water by the Spoonful
(4/23/21 - 5/2/21)
Northwestern University
Home Calls: The Songs of Salzman and Cunningham in Broadway Home Calls: The Songs of Salzman and Cunningham
(4/9/21 - 4/11/21)
Northwestern University Wirtz Center
Sense and Sensibility
(2/26/21 - 2/27/21)
Northwestern University
Visions and Voices, a Black Playwrights’ Reading Series in Broadway Visions and Voices, a Black Playwrights’ Reading Series
(1/22/21 - 2/14/21)
Northwestern University Wirtz Center
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
(1/29/21 - 2/7/21)
Northwestern University
The Glass Menagerie in Broadway The Glass Menagerie
(1/8/21 - 1/10/21)
Northwestern University Wirtz Center
The Glass Menagerie
(1/8/21 - 1/10/21)
Northwestern University
Tomás and the Library Lady: An Imagine U Production in Broadway Tomás and the Library Lady: An Imagine U Production
(3/12/21 - 12/28/20)
Northwestern University Wirtz Center
Imagine U Storytime in Broadway Imagine U Storytime
(11/22/20 - 12/13/20)
Wirtz Center at Northwestern University
Wirtz Center Virtual Fall Season in Broadway Wirtz Center Virtual Fall Season
(11/6/20 - 11/27/20)
Northwestern University Wirtz Center
Imagine U Storytime
(10/25/20 - 11/15/20)
Northwestern University
Passing Strange
(11/6/20 - 11/8/20)
Northwestern University
Wine in the Wilderness
(11/6/20 - 11/8/20)
Northwestern University
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER in Broadway PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
(4/24/20 - 5/3/20)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
The Emperor's New Clothes
(2/21/20 - 3/8/20)
Northwestern University
LEGALLY BLONDE in Broadway LEGALLY BLONDE
(2/14/20 - 3/1/20)
PHOTOS
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Rabbit Hole
(2/6/20 - 2/8/20)
Lipstick Theatre at Northwestern University
Small Mouth Sounds
(12/6/19 - 12/7/19)
Northwestern University
This is Our Youth
(10/18/19 - 10/19/19)
Northwestern University
Bright Star
(5/30/19 - 6/1/19)
Northwestern University - Jewish Theatre Ensemble
LEGALLY BLONDE in Broadway LEGALLY BLONDE
(5/18/19 - 5/19/19)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY - FRESHMAN MUSICAL
GUYS & DOLLS in Broadway GUYS & DOLLS
(2/15/19 - 3/3/19)
PHOTOS
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
The Cherry Orchard (Karam)
(2/1/19 - 2/10/19)
Northwestern University
Venus in Fur
(2/7/19 - 2/9/19)
Lipstick Theatre at Northwestern University
HELLO, DOLLY!
(1/25/19 - 2/2/19)
Northwestern University
The Dumb Waiter
(1/25/19 - 1/26/19)
Northwestern University
Carrie the musical
(12/7/18 - 12/8/18)
PHOTOS
Northwestern University
KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY MUSICAL
(3/2/18 - 3/18/18)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
TICK TICK BOOM!
(4/28/17 - 4/29/17)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
URINETOWN
(2/10/17 - 2/26/17)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
A FUNNY THING...FORUM
(2/12/16 - 2/28/16)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD- TYA
(11/6/15 - 11/22/15)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
AMERICAN IDIOT
(10/16/15 - 10/25/15)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
INTO THE WOODS
(7/17/15 - 8/2/15)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH-TYA
(2/13/15 - 3/1/15)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
THE WILD PARTY
(2/13/15 - 3/1/15)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
LITTLE WOMEN
(11/7/14 - 11/23/14)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
(10/25/13 - 11/10/13)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY TYA VERSION
(2/7/13 - 2/24/13)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
SPRING AWAKENING
(2/10/12 - 2/26/12)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
RENT
(11/4/11 - 11/20/11)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD- TYA
(10/28/11 - 11/6/11)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

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