Northwestern University

Department of Theatre

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.

Wendy Scherl to Sing Marvin Hamlisch At Hunt & Fish Club's HFC Underground
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 10, 2024

Join LaMott Friedman Award winner Wendy Scherl as she pays tribute to legendary composer Marvin Hamlisch at HFC Underground. Learn more about the performance and see how to purchase tickets.

Steep Theatre Announces Two New Shows for 2024 Season
by A.A. Cristi - May 09, 2024

Steep Theatre will be back on stage in 2024 with two new productions that continue the company's tradition of bringing new work to Chicago audiences.

Roger Q. Mason's THE DUAT To Receive World Premiere With Philadelphia Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 09, 2024

Experience the world premiere of Roger Q. Mason's THE DUAT, presented by the Philadelphia Theatre Company. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Terrence McNally New Works Incubator Cycle 2 Fellows Revealed
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 09, 2024

Discover the newly announced fellows of Cycle 2 for the Terrence McNally New Works Incubator. Get to know the talented individuals selected for this prestigious theatre program.

Chicago Sinfonietta Board Names Two Lifetime Trustees and New Member
by Stephi Wild - May 09, 2024

As its 36th anniversary season draws to a close, Chicago Sinfonietta has shared new developments in its Board of Directors.

FALCON GIRLS World Premiere & More Set for Yale Repertory Theatre 2024-25 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 08, 2024

Yale Repertory Theatre has revealed its 2024–25 season of five productions. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets.

1619: THE JOURNEY OF A PEOPLE to Open Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's 2024 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 07, 2024

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's 2024 season of four productions will open with the original musical 1619: THE JOURNEY OF A PEOPLE. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre Announces Launch Of THE GLORIA BOND CLUNIE PLAYWRIGHT'S FESTIVAL
by A.A. Cristi - May 06, 2024

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre introduces THE GLORIA BOND CLUNIE PLAYWRIGHT’S FESTIVAL, a new platform for public staged readings of fresh plays from May 31 to June 2.

Casts of HELL'S KITCHEN, THE NOTEBOOK & More to Perform at New Dramatists Spring Luncheon
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 06, 2024

New Dramatists will host its Annual Spring Luncheon Tribute on Tuesday, May 14 at the New York Marriott Marquis. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.

Elizabeth Marvel to Star in US Premiere of MEDEA at Red Bull Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 06, 2024

Join Elizabeth Marvel in MEDEA, a unique adaptation by Ben Power, directed by Daniel Fish, as part of Red Bull Theater's 20th Anniversary Festival. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Third Coast Percussion Reveals 20th Anniversary Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 03, 2024

Celebrate the 20th anniversary season of Third Coast Percussion featuring collaborations with Grammy winner Jessie Montgomery, Zakir Hussain, and Twyla Tharp Dance.

Northlight Hosts Clothing Give Back Event in Conjunction With BROOKLYN LAUNDRY
by Stephi Wild - May 03, 2024

Northlight Theatre has announced a clothing give back event at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie in conjunction with its hit production of John Patrick Shanley’s Brooklyn Laundry, playing through May 12, 2024.

Meet The Artist Play Readings Come to Vivid Stage
by Stephi Wild - April 24, 2024

Vivid Stage will present its annual Meet the Artist new play reading series on Wednesdays, May 1, 8, 15 and 22. All readings will take place at the Summit Community Center, 100 Morris Ave, at 7 pm.

Listen: Playwrights Horizons Presents YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM YOURSELF as Part of Soundstage Podcast
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 18, 2024

Playwrights Horizons will present Erin Courtney’s You Can’t Hide from Yourself, directed by Kate Bergstrom—the latest episode of Soundstage. Listen now!

ALL THINGS EQUAL Comes to Westport Country Playhouse in May
by Stephi Wild - April 17, 2024

Westport Country Playhouse will present “All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” a one-woman play written by Tony Award-winning playwright Rupert Holmes and directed by Laley Lippard, for three performances, Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 5, at 3 p.m.

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
(6/23/22 - 5/17/22)

Abbott Hall at Northwestern University, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago

Our New Town
(10/15/21 - 10/16/21)

Piven Theatre Workshop

Water by the Spoonful
(4/23/21 - 5/2/21)

Northwestern University