A Christian Liberal Arts University, Est. 1846

Theatre Arts Major/Minor

The Script for Theatre Arts

In Taylor’s Theatre Arts program, you will build on your God-given passion for theatre through an immersive experience that seeks excellence on and off stage.

Majoring in Theatre Arts will develop your skills in acting, stagecraft, management, and play direction. Plus, you will have opportunities to consider the biblical foundations of theatre arts, face difficult questions in pursuit of Truth, and integrate your faith into a theatrical art form.

By joining our national award-winning theatre program, you can add to Taylor Theatre’s legacy of high-quality production and build your personal repertoire.

See Our Work

Act It Out

Theatre majors at Taylor are willing to do the hard work. They sacrifice time and energy to immerse themselves into their crafts—working together and challenging each other to create quality performances that honor God and exemplify their own pursuits of excellence.

Through Theatre Arts courses, you will study in-depth stage diction, set design, play directing, and dramaturgy. You will explore theatre's history and development since its supposed origins in ancient Greece and Rome, practice character development techniques, and audition for theatre performances.

Every Theatre Arts student will participate in two productions each year, eight in total. Senior Theatre majors also direct their own productions in Taylor Theatre’s One Act Festival each year.

Theatre Arts Minor

A Theatre Arts minor allows students in all majors to gain immersive experience in the theatre. Expound upon your passion for theatre by participating in Taylor productions and taking courses in theatre history, acting, play directing, and stagecraft. Students in Educational Studies, English, and Film and Media Production majors may be inclined to add this minor.

2018-19 Season

The Amish Project
Sept. 13-15 at 8 p.m.
Sept. 16 at 2 p.m.
Show Info
Into the Woods
Nov. 9-10 at 8 p.m.
Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.
Nov. 16-17 at 8 p.m.
Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.
Show Info

Metamorphoses
Feb. 22-23 at 8 p.m.
Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.
Mar. 1-2 at 8 p.m.
Mar. 3 at 2 p.m.
Show Info
The Mousetrap
Apr. 26-27 at 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 28 at 2 p.m.
May 3-4 at 7:30 p.m.
May 5 at 2 p.m.
Show Info

Order your tickets online now, by calling 765-998-5289, or via email. Tickets will also be available at the box office before the performance.

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Theatre Arts Curriculum & Degree Options

Contact the Theatre Program

Tracy Manning, Department of Music, Theatre & Dance Co-Chair & Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts
765-998-5248
trmanning@taylor.edu

Judy Kirkwood, Theatre Program Assistant
765-998-5255
jdkirkwood@taylor.edu

View Department Faculty & Staff

Related Majors and Related Minors

Related Majors

Related Minors

Music, Theatre, & Dance Department

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.

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.

Composing Your Future

Grad Programs

Some of our Music, Theatre & Dance graduates have gone one 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.

Learn more about Taylor University’s Music, Theatre, & Dance philosophy.

Music Facilities & Equipment

The Smith-Hermanson Music Center houses an electronic music studio, a music technology lab, teaching studios, rehearsal rooms, and practice rooms. The attached 218-seat Butz-Carruth Recital Hall boasts a Bösendorfer grand and a Steinway piano. The Recital Hall is designed to provide the best acoustics for performance recording. The electronic studio and technology lab are equipped with music composition and editing software.

Other facility equipment includes:

47 pianos across campus
Wind, brass, string, and percussion instruments
Electronic and pipe organs
Five-octave handbells
African drums
Drum sets and keyboards

Private Lessons & Ensembles

We offer ensembles and private lessons in all instrumental and choral areas.

Instrumental: symphony Orchestra, wind and jazz ensembles, jazz combos, bell choirs, and chamber music ensembles such as string quartet, brass ensemble, and flute choir
Piano: piano, piano pedagogy, piano class, and accompanying
Voice: voice, musical theatre, lyric theatre, opera, and three choral ensembles

Explore Taylor’s Ensembles

Contact Lisa Royal at lsroyal@taylor.edu or 765-998-5232 to learn more.

Programs Offered