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Theatre and Dance

Getting Started in the Theatre Major

Most students in the theatre major begin in the fall as first-year students in the major. There is a cap of 100 students per class. If you are interested in learning more about the theatre major, email nutheatre@northwestern.edu.

First Year Theatre Classes

All first-year theatre students take required theatre classes (referred to as the First-Year Rotation), a First-Year SoC Seminar, and are encouraged to make progress toward their Distribution Requirements.

The Theatre First-Year Rotation

As a first-year theatre major you are required to take four courses over the course of your first year:

  • Theatre 140-1, “Theatre in Context,” which includes a separate discussion section. This is an introductory course to the theatre as it is being practiced today. All first-year students will take this course in the same quarter.
  • Theatre 140-2, “First-Year Seminar.” This is an academically focused class that emphasizes research in the history and criticism of theatre, essay writing, and class discussion.
  • Theatre 120-0, “Production in Context.” This is a theatre production techniques class. It involves serving on a Run Crew, which requires a considerable time commitment for work during weekends and evenings.
  • Theatre 170-0, “Voice for Performance.” This is a technical course that introduces you to voice training for the contemporary stage.

IMPORTANT:  The quarter you are enrolled in Theatre 120-0, you cannot be involved, in any way, in another production. This is a hard and fast rule.  It covers both student productions and Theatre Department productions.  The Theatre Department enforces this regulation with no exceptions, because the time commitment for 120-0 is substantial and inflexible. Be sure to remember this as you craft your class schedule and plan your co-curricular activities for the year.

Distribution Requirements

Your second goal for your first year at NU should be to work towards completion of your distribution requirements.  Distribution requirements (“distros”) are classes taken outside of SoC that all students in the School of Communication must complete to receive a bachelor’s degree.  There are three categories of distribution requirements: Math/Science/Technology; Individual and Social Behavior; and Humanities and Fine Arts. These are a great way to explore areas you might be considering as a second major or minor.

AP and IB Credit

AP and IB credits may be applied to the SoC distribution requirement with certain restrictions. The Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences determines what scores will earn what credit at NU. If your credit is not yet posted, have your scores sent from the College Board to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

Once your AP/IB credit is posted to your transcript, it can be applied to your distribution requirements as follows:

  • One AP/IB credit in each of the three areas: Math/Science/Technology; Individual and Social Behavior; and Humanities and Fine Arts
  • An additional six AP/IB credits may apply as additional distribution classes
  • A final credit may count as an elective
  • A maximum of 10 AP/IB credits may apply to your NU degree

Sample Schedule

Here is what a sample first-year theatre schedule might look like.

Fall:  4 Credits 

  • THEATRE 140-1 (Theatre requirement)
  • THEATRE 170-0 (Theatre requirement)
  • PHIL 110: Introduction to Philosophy (Individual & Social Behavior Distro)
  • BIOL_SCI 103: Diversity of Life (Math/Science/Technology Distro)

Winter:  3.5 Credits 

  • THEATRE 140-2 (Theatre requirement)
  • CMN 101: First Year Seminar (First-Year SoC requirement; 0.5 credits)
  • SOCIOL 110: Intro to Sociology (Individual & Social Behavior Distro)
  • HISTORY 250-2: Global History II (Individual & Social Behavior Distro)

Spring:  4.34 Credits 

  • THEATRE 120-0 (Theatre requirement)
  • PSYCH 110:  Intro to Psychology (Individual & Social Behavior Distro)
  • ECON 201-0:  Intro to Macroeconomics (Math/Science/Technology Distro)
  • ENGLISH 206-0:  Reading and Writing Poetry (Humanities & Fine Arts Distro)
  • DANCE 130-1: Music Theatre Ballet (Elective Credit; 0.34 credits)

Again, this is just a sample schedule. The term in which you will take your required first year theatre courses (Theatre 140-1, 140-2, 120-0, and 170-0) and First Year Seminar will vary according to how you’ve been assigned to take them.

Theatre Minor

The Theatre Department also offers a minor encouraging students majoring in other fields to explore the depth and breadth of the study and practice of theatre. You can read more about the Theatre Minor in the undergraduate catalog.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the theatre major, contact one of our theatre advisors:

SoC students can make an appointment via advising.northwestern.edu. Non-SoC students can make an appointment by calling 847-491-7214.

 

Getting Started in the Dance Major

As an undergraduate in dance, you’ll study composition and choreography in depth as you are challenged to write, research, and analyze the field of dance. At the same time, you’ll continue to develop your dance skills with technique classes and performance opportunities.

Our faculty includes award-winning professional dancers, choreographers and renowned researchers and scholars of dance history and theory. Guest artists lead master classes in a variety of forms and styles.

What Classes are Appropriate for First-Year Students?

The core courses for the dance major and the dance minor are the same. If you are interested in either program, the core series is a great place to start. You do not need to take them in any particular order.

Core courses (3 units):

  • 101‐1 Introduction to Dance Studies
  • 101‐2 Dance as Creative Collaboration
  • 225-0 Dance Composition

You may also begin by taking technique courses in the department. A variety of technique courses are offered each quarter at .34 units of credit and can often be added on top of a 4-credit full load of classes. There is no dance placement exam for technique classes.  If you have questions about where you would be best placed, please contact Program Director, Dr. Melissa Blanco Borelli.

Distribution Requirements

Your second goal for your first year at NU should be to work towards completion of your distribution requirements.  Distribution requirements (“distros”) are classes taken outside of SoC that all students in the School of Communication must complete to receive a bachelor’s degree.  There are three categories of distribution requirements: Math/Science/Technology; Individual and Social Behavior; and Humanities and Fine Arts. These are a great way to explore areas you might be considering as a second major or minor.

AP and IB Credit

AP and IB credits may be applied to the SoC distribution requirement with certain restrictions. The Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences determines what scores will earn what credit at NU. If your credit is not yet posted, have your scores sent from the College Board to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

Once your AP/IB credit is posted to your transcript, it can be applied to your distribution requirements as follows:

  • One AP/IB credit in each of the three areas: Math/Science/Technology; Individual and Social Behavior; and Humanities and Fine Arts
  • An additional six AP/IB credits may apply as additional distribution classes
  • A final credit may count as an elective
  • A maximum of 10 AP/IB credits may apply to your NU degree

Sample Schedule

Here is what a sample first-year dance major schedule might look like.

Fall:  4.34 Credits

  • DANCE 101-1: Introduction to Dance Studies (Dance Core Requirement)
  • DANCE 250-0: Modern/Contemporary (Dance Technique; .34 credits)
  • PHIL 110: Introduction to Philosophy (Individual & Social Behavior Distro)
  • BIOL_SCI 103: Diversity of Life (Math/Science/Technology Distro)
  • ENGLISH 210-1: British Literary Traditions (Humanities/Fine Arts Distro)

Winter:  3.84 Credits

  • DANCE 101-2: Dance as Creative Collaboration (Dance Core Requirement)
  • DANCE 150-0: Modern/Contemporary (Dance Technique; .34 credits)
  • CMN 101: First Year Seminar (First-Year SoC requirement; 0.5 credits)
  • SOCIOL 110: Intro to Sociology (Individual & Social Behavior Distro)
  • HISTORY 250-2: Global History II (Individual & Social Behavior Distro)

Spring:  4.34 Credits

  • DANCE 225: Dance Composition (Dance Core Requirement)
  • DANCE 250-0: Modern/Contemporary (Dance Technique; 0.34 credits)
  • PSYCH 110:  Intro to Psychology (Individual & Social Behavior Distro)
  • ECON 201-0:  Intro to Macroeconomics (Math/Science/Technology Distro)
  • ENGLISH 206-0:  Reading and Writing Poetry (Humanities & Fine Arts Distro)

Again, this is just a sample schedule. The core dance courses are not always offered in this sequence, and while you are encouraged to take them all in your first year, you do not have to complete the core courses within that first year.  Similarly, while dance majors are encouraged to take at least one technique course a quarter, which ones you decide to take is up to you.  The first-year seminar course enrollment will vary according to which quarter you have been assigned to take it.

Dance Minor

The Department of Theatre and Dance also offers a Dance Minor.  Dance Minors make up the bulk of the dance community at NU, providing a vibrant scene with many different opportunities for involvement.

Questions?

Contact Dance Advisor Roxane Heinze-Bradshaw at roxane.heinze-bradshaw@northwestern.edu. SoC students can make an appointment via ConnectNU. Non-SoC students can make an appointment by calling 847-491-7214.