Theatre & Dance Program

Sharpening Your Craft; Engage Your Faith

The department of Music, Theatre & Dance emphasizes active learning in every program. By joining our Music and Theatre majors, you won’t just sit and study methods and theories—you’ll put them into action.

Through ensemble rehearsals, concerts, theatrical productions, student recitals, and fully staged musicals and operas, our students take their learning from the desk to the stage. You’ll also gain a technical background in music theory, acting methods, and dance techniques to take your gifts and skills to the next level and pursue industry-related careers on top of performance. Need more information? Let us know! Fill out our Music Interest form.

Auditions & Scholarships

All prospective Music and Musical Theatre majors must audition for admission into the Music, Theatre & Dance department. Our programs offer both merit- and need-based awards that are designed to enhance the University’s financial aid package. To be considered for music scholarships, students interested in Music majors or minors must be complete their auditions by March 15.

To sign up for an audition time, speak with a Taylor Music or Theatre professor, or to receive additional information about music auditions and scholarships, please contact Lisa Royal, the Music program assistant, at lsroyal@taylor.edu.

Scholarship Application

Theatre Facilities & Equipment

Taylor Theatre practices and performs in Mitchell Theater, a space uniquely designed for flexibility in full-length production set design. Theatre majors also have access to a black box theatre in Rupp Communication Arts Center, which they can use for small productions or theatrical exercises, and two specially equipped dance instruction spaces.

Taylor Touring Company

The Taylor Touring Company takes theatre productions on the road, presenting shows at churches, schools, and businesses throughout the US and internationally. Student actors and crew gain professional experience while learning the ins and outs of touring a small-scale production. In addition to performing, the troupe members also offer specialty theatre workshops to their audiences on tour.

Production Casebooks

Students with diverse interests—such as in writing, media, history, and arts education—can gain valuable dramaturgical experience by working directly with Artistic Director Tracy Manning to create production casebooks. Presenting research, analysis, and reflections, casebooks provide supplementary materials that offer valuable insight to performers and stagehands throughout rehearsals and invite audiences into the world of the play. Check out some casebooks made for previous Taylor productions:

• Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard
• Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
• Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro
• Moliere’s Tartuffe
• I Love a Piano: The Music of Irving Berlin

Composing Your Future

Grad Programs

Some of our Music, Theatre & Dance graduates have gone on to complete their master’s degrees at the following colleges:

• Bowling Green State University
• Ball State University
• Indiana University
• Southern Illinois University
• University of Michigan

Career Opportunities

No matter which Music, Theatre & Dance major you pursue, you will have a wide range of career opportunities, from music composer to performer to teacher to stage manager. The Music, Theatre & Dance department has a 96% career placement rate, and our faculty and Calling and Career Office work hard to connect students to employment and internship opportunities throughout their time at Taylor.

Degree Options

Dance

Musical Theatre

Theatre Arts