Dance, Music, and Theatre at Illinois
Three disciplines. One world-class stage.
At Illinois, Dance, Music, and Theatre, you’ll find three disciplines sharing one of the most complete performing arts complexes at any university in the country. You’ll train with faculty who are working artists and scholars, perform in real productions from your first year, and graduate ready for a professional career, an audition, or a stage of your own making. Whether you’re chasing a conservatory-level BFA, a flexible BA that lets you combine performing arts with another passion, or a path toward teaching the next generation, there’s a track built for how you want to work.
- DANCE: Train in a rigorous BFA or shape your own path with a flexible BA, including a dual-degree option in Kinesiology with K-we teacher licensure.
- MUSIC: Perform, compose, teach, or build the next generation of music technology, wich degree paths from the Bachelor of Music to a BS in Computer Science + Music.
- THEATRE: From acting and design to stage management immersive storytelling, train for every seats at the table, on stage, and behind it.
Being able to raise money for an intensive in New York was a very, very big accomplishment for me…It really touched my heart to know that I have a community out there, seen and unseen, that does support me…Now, especially after having my internship in New York, I’m able to switch between dance styles like it’s nobody’s business. You want ballet? Here I am doing ballet. Now you want me to pop, lock, and drop it? You know I got it. I appreciate my department for training me in such a way to do that.
I chose the University of Illinois to pursue Lyric Theatre because this is the only program that trains you both in classical techniques and contemporary techniques. Here you also get to participate in operas and musical theatre at the same time. There are amazing resources here too. We have access to a ginormous music library, rehearsal space in the Music building as well as two floors of practice rooms with pianos–which are very helpful when you need to learn something–and amazing performance spaces at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
Illinois Theatre provided me with all the tools and experiences a pre-professional stage manager could ask for. From real production opportunities, alumni connections, and our peer cohorts, the BFA Stage Management program has helped me to develop my identity as a Stage Manager as well as a leader in the arts. The most important transferable skills I carry post-grad from the program is the ability to listen and communicate! I am hopeful my education has placed me on a successful career trajectory.