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.
First Year Classes
All first-year theatre students are required to complete the First-Year Theatre Rotation, a First-Year Seminar, and are encouraged to make progress toward their Distribution Requirements.
SoC First-Year Seminar
CMN 101 SoC First-Year Seminar: A thematically focused, interdisciplinary course that engages students in accessible and informative classroom experiences that explore the subject and methodology of their communication-related research, practice, and creative work.
First-Year Theatre Rotation
THEATRE 160-1 Introduction to Theatrical Performance: In this course, students contextualize, interpret, perform, and critique theatrical texts to develop artistic points of view on the practice of theatre.
THEATRE 160-2 Introduction to Theatrical Contexts and Research: This class equips students with critical modes of thinking about theatre as both a practice and a discipline. It will feature a range of analytical and practical methodologies and develop students’ ability to craft independent research papers.
THEATRE 160-3 Introduction to Theatrical Design and Management: This course immerses theatre majors in an in-depth study of professional production and design processes. It includes a production lab to implement the directing and design process.
IMPORTANT: The quarter you are enrolled in Theatre 160-3, 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 160-3 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 & IB Credits
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 major’s schedule might look like:
Fall: 4 Credits
- THEATRE 160-1 (First-Year Theatre Rotation)
- THEATRE 160-2 (First-Year Theatre Rotation)
- PHIL 110: Introduction to Philosophy (Individual & Social Behavior Distro)
- BIOL_SCI 103: Diversity of Life (Math/Science/Technology Distro)
Winter: 3.34 Credits
- THEATRE 160-3 (First-Year Theatre Rotation)
- CMN 101: First Year Seminar (First-Year SoC requirement)
- SOCIOL 110: Intro to Sociology (Individual & Social Behavior Distro)
- DANCE 130-1: Music Theatre Ballet (Elective Credit; 0.34 credits)
Spring: 4 Credits
- THEATRE 231: Theatre for Young Audiences (Theatre Major credit)
- 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 term in which you will take your required First-Year Theatre Rotation 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 are interested in learning more about the theatre major, email nutheatre@northwestern.edu.
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.
First-Year Classes
The Dance core series is a great place for Dance majors to start their training. 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.
SoC First-Year Seminar
All first-year students in the School of Communication will be assigned a quarter in which they are required to take the SoC First-Year Seminar. This class is a thematically focused, interdisciplinary course that engages students in accessible and informative classroom experiences that explore the subject and methodology of their communication-related research, practice, and creative work.
Distribution Requirements
Another 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 & IB Credits
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)
- 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?
If you are interested in learning more about the Dance major or minor, contact Dance Advisor James Moreno at moreno@northwestern.edu.