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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:

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

Acceptance Rate:

While Northwestern University's overall acceptance rate is 7.2%

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.

The World Premiere Of SALLY: A SOLO PLAY Comes To East Lansing
by Stephi Wild - January 30, 2026

Wharton Center will host the world premiere of SALLY: A SOLO PLAY: a powerfully moving, one-woman drama set at Monticello in the days before Thomas Jefferson's death, written by East Lansing resident Sandra Seaton.

UC Davis Department Of Theatre And Dance To Present THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
by A.A. Cristi - January 20, 2026

UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance will present THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, a Tony-winning musical, at Wright Hall's Main Theatre with performances scheduled for late February and early March.

UTA Theatre Arts And Dance To Present DANCE DECONSTRUCTED, New Works By Students And Faculty
by A.A. Cristi - November 17, 2025

The University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will present Dance Deconstructed, November 21 through 23, at the University of Texas at Arlington Fine Arts Building in the Studio Theatre.

UTA Theatre Arts And Dance To Present Staged Reading Of MISS YOU LIKE HELL
by A.A. Cristi - November 10, 2025

The University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will present a staged reading of the 2018 musical Miss You Like Hell by Quiara Alegría Hudes and Erin McKeown.

TOO MUCH LIGHT MAKES THE BABY GO BLIND Returns to the University of Southern Maine This November
by A.A. Cristi - November 04, 2025

The University of Southern Maine Department of Theatre will present the third annual production of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (30 Plays in 60 Minutes) by Greg Allen, directed by Sara Valentine.

Carbonell Awards Add Special Watch Party to Ceremony at FAU’s University Theatre
by Stephi Wild - October 31, 2025

The 48th annual Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s Theater & Arts Honors, today announced that the glittery annual ceremony and after-party at FAU’s University Theatre in Boca Raton is SOLD OUT.

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SNOOPY!!! is Coming to Bridgetown Musical Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 13, 2025

Bridgetown Musical Theatre is presenting The World According to Snoopy!!! for the holiday season in Portland and Salem. The show will be performed by two separate casts, with performers ages 11 to 18. Learn more!

TAKING OFF! Comes to the Wharton Center
by Stephi Wild - September 02, 2025

The MSU College of Arts and Letters’ Department of Theatre, in collaboration with Wharton Center, will present Taking Off!, a high-flying new musical comedy.

California's Teenage Drama Workshop Sets Summer Productions
by Josh Sharpe - June 16, 2025

Teenage Drama Workshop (TADW) will host a three-week public run of two stage productions, including Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical JR. and The Hobbit, beginning in July at California State University Northridge.

Cal State LA to Present THE JOHN LION NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 18, 2025

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Cal State LA will present the 27th annual John Lion New Plays Festival at the university's State Playhouse. Learn more and see how to attend.

USM Department of Theatre Presents Spring Dance Concert
by A.A. Cristi - April 17, 2025

USM Department of Theatre wraps up its 2024-2025 season with the USM Spring Dance Concert, featuring new dance works by five choreographers and performed by USM dance students April 25th-27th at Russell Hall on the USM Gorham Campus.

UTA Theatre Arts And Dance To Present TREASURE ISLANDS
by A.A. Cristi - March 26, 2025

The University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will present Treasure Island, the 2014 adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 adventure book, adapted by British playwright Bryony Lavery.

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.

Past Student Productions

	SHOW	THEATER
	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

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