Theatre
Areas of Study
In addition to classes in theatre history and literature, students can choose to pursue the major with either an acting or design emphasis, minor in dance, or they can create a self-designed major through the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in film studies or playwriting.
- Acting
- Dance
- Design
- Directing
- Film
- History and Literature
Requirements
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers a major with a 12-course curriculum with two major emphases (Acting and Design). Double majors are required to take 10 classes (8 required and two electives). Students do not need to audition to become a theatre major.
Acting Emphasis
- Theatre History 1
- American Drama 1920 to present
- Modern Drama or Theatre History 2
Design Emphasis
- Theatre History 1
- American Drama 1920 to present
- Modern Drama or
Theatre History 2
Acting Emphasis
- Acting 1
- Voice in Acting 1
- Shakespeare through Performance
- A dance class
Design Emphasis
- Acting 1
Acting Emphasis
- Theatre Practicum (3 semesters .5 credit)
- Design and Technical Production
- Scene Design
- Lighting Design
- Costume Design
Design Emphasis
- Theatre Practicum
(3 semesters .5 credit) - Design and Technical Production
- Scene Design
- Lighting Design
- Costume Design
Acting Emphasis
- Four additional courses to be taken in THEA .
Design Emphasis
- Four additional courses to be taken in either THEA (e.g. Directing, Shakespeare through Performance) or VAST/VAHI (e.g. 3-D Fundamentals, Fundamentals of Drawing, History of Architecture). All electives must be approved by the faculty director of the design emphasis.
- THEA 111 Dance 1
- THEA 121 Decolonizing Dance
- THEA 131 Balinese Dance 1-2
- THEA 151 Ballet 1-2
- THEA 171 Hip Hop/Breaking 1-2
- THEA 181 Contemporary Dance 1-2
- THEA 191 Afro-Haitian Dance
- THEA 232 Balinese Dance 3-4
- THEA 252 Ballet 3-4
- THEA 262 Body Stories
- THEA 272 Hip Hop/Breaking 3-4
- THEA 282 Contemporary Dance 3-4
- THEA 310 Dance Performance
- THEA 126 Asian Performance Traditions
- THEA 128 Political Theatre
- THEA 135 Comedy On Stage and Screen
- THEA 140 Holocaust On Stage and Screen
- THEA 145 Queer Theatre and Film
- THEA 160 American Film
- THEA 165 World Film
- THEA 172 Modern British Drama
- THEA 203 Advanced Acting
- THEA 204 Singing for the Broadway Stage
- THEA 227 Scene Design
- THEA 228 Lighting Design
- THEA 230 Costume Design
- THEA 263 Selected American Film Artists
- THEA 302 Voice in Acting 2
- THEA 304 Audition Techniques
- THEA 340 Advanced Directing
- THEA 361 Film as Narrative
- THEA 370 Performance Art
- THEA 400 Tutorial/Theatre
- THEA 405 Performance Recital
- THEA 406 Performance for Audience
or - CISS 275 Create Lab
- CISS 299-SO2
All theatre majors are required to complete a capstone project during the senior year. The capstone requirement is filled by performing, directing, designing (sets, lights, costumes, video, sound), or stage managing a significant production.
Opportunities
Mainstage Auditions
Open auditions are held twice a year for mainstage productions. Students, faculty and members of the Holy Cross community are welcome.
Balinese Arts Program
Holy Cross is one of just a handful of colleges in the country that has a Balinese gamelan orchestra. Through courses in gamelan and dance, students can experience the rich traditions of Balinese culture. Gamelan Gita Sari performs twice a year in Brooks Concert Hall and their concerts are free and open to the public.
Stage Involvement
The department hosts multiple productions each year and offers interested students a variety of backstage and acting opportunities, including acting, dancing, directing, stage management and design.
Alternate College Theatre
The student-run theater group offers the opportunity to direct, perform, design, produce, stage-manage or work within any other production aspect of theatre! ACT hosts a variety of events throughout the year and produces both a play in the fall and a musical in the spring under the auspices of the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Film Studies
In conjunction with the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, the department sponsors students seeking a concentration in Film Studies. Students learn the history of film and acquire the analytical tools to critique a wide range of cinematic genres.
Awards
The Robert Edmond Jones Award is awarded by the Theatre & Dance Department for achievement in the areas of Design and Technical Theatre.
Previous Theatre Productions
"The Heiress," dir. Steve Vineberg, April 2024.
"Oklahoma!," dir. by Meaghan Deiter, February 2024.
"She Loves Me," dir. by Meaghan Deiter, February 2022.
"Little Women: The Musical," dir. by Meaghan Deiter, February 2019.
Outcomes & Alumni
Holy Cross students graduating with a major in theatre have gone on to matriculate at some of the most prestigious conservatory and doctoral programs in the United States.
Holy Cross alum Ann Dowd ’78 has over 100 credits on her IMBd. In 2017, she won an Emmy as outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her work on Hulu’s acclaimed "The Handmaid’s Tale." She has also received a best supporting actress award from the National Board of Review and nominations in that same category from the Critics' Choice and Indie Spirit awards for her performance in the 2012 movie "Compliance."
Holy Cross alum Bartlett Sher '81 is resident director at Lincoln Center Theatre in NYC. He was nominated for the 2015 Tony Award for best director of a musical for "The King and I." The production was nominated for 9 Tony Awards, two Drama League Awards, and five Outer Critic Circle Nominations. Nominated eight times for the Tony Award for Best Director — most recently in 2018 for "My Fair Lady" — Bart Sher was the winner in 2008.
Holy Cross alum Peter Jankowski '86 is president and chief operating officer of Wolf Films Inc., and executive producer for three television series on NBC: “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Chicago Fire,” and “Chicago PD.” His documentary “When You're Strange” about Jim Morrison and The Doors won a Grammy in 2011 and was nominated for an Emmy.
