Theatre and Dance

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance

The Department of Theatre and Dance is a community of professional artists, scholars, and educators who value and practice the most collaborative art forms—art forms that explore the human condition, stimulate and engage our audience, and connect to a global, diverse community. Our standard of excellence demands the celebration of individuality within the collaborative process, empowering the student to begin a lifelong career of artistic risk-taking and self-discovery. These commitments are reflected in the curriculum and the multitude of opportunities we provide for students to develop skills and apply their craft in the crucible of production.

Students looking for an excellent, challenging program with a rich history of success are attracted to our program for its great preparation at an affordable price.

WIU Advantages for YOUR training

  • We have small class sizes
  • Freshmen are immediately eligible for performance opportunities.
  • We have an approachable faculty of educators who are also working professionals focused on your education.
  • We offer masterclasses with working industry professionals from the entire country in many disciplines throughout each school year.
  • We offer “business of the business” courses and opportunities in tandem with performance skills classes so students are well equipped to know how to find and get work with an extensive understanding of how the industry works.
  • We offer eight fully-realized productions each year, including two dance concerts.
  • Several classes will be in our new Goldfarb Center For the Performing Arts opening September 2026.
  • We will SEE you, we will KNOW you, we will know your strengths and weaknesses and work with you individually to be the best artist YOU can be and not simply push you through to the finish line in a pack. You will never be a number to us.

Possible Careers

Theatre students make OUTSTANDING employees for their wide range of abilities, such as creative problem solving, time management, performance and public speaking, professionalism, attention detail, motivation, commitment, collaboration and teamwork, self-confidence, to name a few! They are well prepared to enter careers in:

  • Performers on both stage and screen
  • Theatre Directing
  • Theatre Management/Arts Management
  • Teaching
    • Acting
    • Directing
    • Dance
  • Public Relations
  • Foundation/Development

As well as advanced graduate study!

Some of Our Graduates:

The alumni of the theatre and dance programs at Western Illinois University have worked at many of the major theatre and dance companies in the country. Our recent grads are working in Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.

"I have appreciated the opportunities I have gotten as a Directing student at WIU. Whether working on small Studio shows or large Mainstage shows I feel my experiences will help me achieve my career goals."

~ Robert Hill (BA 2016)

Get To Know Us!

Would you like to get to know us better to see if we’re a good fit for you? Join us for an Info Zoom. Dates offered throughout the school year.

Come spend a day in our Department to see who we are and what we do. You choose the date and we’ll create an experience for you.

Requirements for the BA program and all options are below.