Visit the Theatre and Dance Department Web Site
If you want…
- Production excellence.
- An individually tailored program of courses in an extensive curriculum.
- A program that stresses the development of imagination, creativity and performance skills.
- Acting experience from your first through senior year in major and experimental productions.
Departmental Overview
The Theatre and Dance Department is committed to the liberal arts philosophy. We strive to provide all Alma students with a carefully structured production experience in acting, directing and design along with a solid academic background in the theory, history and literature of the theatre. Academic and production programs are excellent preparation for advanced training and graduate study for careers in all areas of theatre arts.
At Alma, theatre is a living process. Theory in class is combined with extensive experience in production. The small college environment makes it possible for students to be intimately and directly involved in theatre from their first through senior years. You develop your individual creative gifts.
As a part of the Alma College Theatre Program, you can select courses in acting, directing, dance, design, theatre management and theatre history. Working closely with the faculty, you experience a wide variety of theatrical styles ranging from the classics through the contemporary theatre.
Career Possibilities
Graduates of the Theatre Department have been involved in pursuing careers such as:
- Free-lance acting.
- Designing lights for professional theatre companies and professional dance companies.
- Stage managing at professional theatres in Boston, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and New York City.
- Professional internships with the Wilma Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Purple Rose Theatre Company and Berkeley Rep.
- Assistantships at graduate schools such as University of Minnesota, Rutgers University, University of Michigan, University of Missouri and Bowling Green State University.
Theatre Scholarships
Theatre performance scholarships are available to all first-year students regardless of their intended major. To be considered, apply for admission to Alma College and arrange an audition/interview with the Theatre and Dance Department. Performance Scholarships in Theatre are awarded to students who show potential in acting, design or technical theatre.
- First year — up to $1,000.
- Second year — up to $1,000.
- Third year — up to $1,500.
- Fourth year — up to $2,000.
Total award of up to $5,500 available.
Students with the best Performance Scholarship auditions and interviews are invited to compete for our Distinguished Trustee Performance Scholarships, awards which range from $3,000 up to full tuition for four years.
Total award between $12,000 and $69,000.
Recent Productions:
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- The Importance of Being Earnest
- The Crucible
- Crimes of the Heart
- Equus
- Man of La Mancha
Heritage Center
The state-of-the-art Heritage Center for the Performing Arts, opened in 1993 and houses the Theatre Program. The Center features a 190-seat semi-thrust theatre for theatre classes, rehearsals and performances. It also features outstanding technical facilities, including a computerized Strand lighting system, state-of-the-art sound system and excellent costume and scene shops.
