Theatre and Dance

Theatre: Major 
Dance: Minor 

Act, dance, direct, design, or stage manage. With numerous production opportunities throughout the year, students studying theatre can try on many different hats — figuratively and literally. Recognized for its high standards of training and the quality of its productions, the Department of Theatre and Dance at Holy Cross provides a nurturing and supportive environment for students to express themselves and develop their artistic capabilities in a collaborative environment.

In the liberal arts tradition, we believe theatre is a vital, dynamic medium qualified to participate in a dialogue about the human condition. Holy Cross theatre explores the spiritual aspects of our collective experience, examining compelling issues and ideas in a provocative and entertaining manner.

As a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre, the Holy Cross theatre program is highly regarded regionally and nationally. Our teaching and programming has been reviewed and certified as meeting all national standards for formal theatre training.

Program Highlights

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. Courses of study include: 

  • acting
  • dance
  • design 
  • directing 
  • film
  • history and literature
two students sitting in a theatre production on stage
Current Schedule

Each semester students collaborate with faculty and professional staff on major productions.

stage during a theatre production
Production Photo Galleries

View photos of past theatre department productions.

Theatre and Dance News

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Blog: McSweeney ’21 Eager to Show What Life is Like at Holy Cross
NAME Rebecca McSweeney ’21 HOMETOWN Stoughton, Massachusetts STUDIES SHE’S CONSIDERING Biology major WHY SHE CHOSE HOLY CROSS “I first heard about Holy Cross through a family friend. What really convinced me that Holy Cross was the perfect school for me, …
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Blog: At Holy Cross, Mercier ’21 Has Found a Friendly Community and Countless Opportunities
NAME Emily Mercier ’21 HOMETOWN Cumberland, Rhode Island STUDIES SHE’S CONSIDERING Psychology and theatre double major WHY SHE CHOSE HOLY CROSS “After I was accepted, I came to an open house and met a lot of current students representing their …
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Ann Dowd ’78, P20 Wins Emmy Award for ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
Ann Dowd ’78, P20 won the award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her work on “The Handmaid’s Tale” at the 69th annual Emmy Awards which aired live on CBS from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles …