The Dickinson College Department of Theatre and Dance serves a diverse group of students who crave exploring art and art-making through the path of their choice. Many students thrive in an environment of formal coursework and practice. Others seek a broad liberal arts education which integrates live performance and civic engagement. Many students will even aspire to define themselves as emerging professional theatre artists. 

Within the department, students study a rich and broad mix of classes including studio and academic coursework. These classes are led by educators who combine strong teaching with significant professional experience. They prioritize collaboration with students in their professional work both on and off campus and they value successes and failures at all stages of the process and curriculum. 

We offer a major in Theatre Arts with specialized tracks including acting/directing, dance, dramatic literature, and design/technical theatre. Our season offers many opportunities for both mainstage faculty directed, and student directed productions. Many students involved in our programs are majors or minors, however others are from any number of other majors who are drawn to the energy, teamwork and artistry of live performance.

For more information about the program, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Current students can find more information at our Linktree.

Contact Info

Chair

Kent BarrettAssociate Professor of Theatre Design

Production coordinator

Leah Gibson

Phone

717-245-1239

Fax

---

Social Media

Location

Montgomery House Mailing Address

Department Features




Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Tisch School of the Arts
  • StretchLab
  • La Roxx Inc.
  • Paradise Springs Winery
  • Thomas Ortiz Dance Company
  • Urbanity Dance

Graduate Schools

  • University of Pennsylvania
  • CUNY Hunter College
  • Boston University
  • Temple University Law
  • Columbia University
  • NYU
  • Emerson College
  • Pratt Institute
  • New School
  • George Mason University
Where Our Students Have Interned
  • Westside Dance Physical Therapy
  • BalletX
  • Baltimore Shakespeare Factory
  • Pendragon Theatre
  • Performance Works NW
  • Greenbrier Valley Theatre
  • Byline Studio, Carlisle Theatre Documentary
  • Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) at the University of Michigan

Department Gallery



Student Perspective

"For me, it’s stories—hearing people’s stories, learning from them and analyzing them. History and theatre & dance are two majors centered on stories. I’ve gained the wisdom of many lives beyond my own this way." 

—Sarah Zimmer ’17 (history, theatre arts)


Theatre & Dance News

A Fresh Take on Dance

A Fresh Take on Dance

"It’s been really amazing to watch my dancers make the piece their own." Students realize their ideas onstage in the 2023 Freshworks concert.

Dream Team: Students, Renowned Artists Collaborate on Experimental Multi-arts Work

Dream Team: Students, Renowned Artists Collaborate on Experimental Multi-arts Work

Are we dreaming? Students worked with the HawtPlates to create a convention-busting spring production, onstage April 2.

From Dreamland to Dystopia, With Jolts of Joy

From Dreamland to Dystopia, With Jolts of Joy

This spring, Dickinson arts departments explore dream worlds; immigrant, Indigenous and refugee experiences; a landmark work never before performed on campus; and much more.

Graduate Story: Jenna Clark Embrey ’08, Lincoln Center Theater

Graduate Story: Jenna Clark Embrey ’08, Lincoln Center Theater

Myriad roles in Dickinson's theatre program paved the way for a career behind the scenes at one of the most prestigious theatres in the world.

Student Snapshot: Heidi Beardsley ’25

Student Snapshot: Heidi Beardsley ’25

“I’m so grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve had at Dickinson,” says Heidi Beardsley ’25, a data analytics major, student researcher, dancer and maker who’s taught high-schoolers to code.

Summoning ‘Courage’: Dickinson Presents Immersive Take on Classic Play

Summoning ‘Courage’: Dickinson Presents Immersive Take on Classic Play

Dickinson’s immersive theatrical and dance-infused production of ‘Mother Courage’ takes audiences across campus to experience a timeless story with resonance for the war in Ukraine.