Theatre and Dance

Theatre: Major 
Dance: Minor 

Act, dance, direct, design, or stage manage. With numerous production opportunities throughout the year, students studying theatre can try on many different hats — figuratively and literally. Recognized for its high standards of training and the quality of its productions, the Department of Theatre and Dance at 17Թ provides a nurturing and supportive environment for students to express themselves and develop their artistic capabilities in a collaborative environment.

As a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre, the 17Թ theatre program is highly regarded regionally and nationally. Our teaching and programming has been reviewed and certified as meeting all national standards for formal theatre training.

In the liberal arts tradition, we believe theatre is a vital, dynamic medium qualified to participate in a dialogue about the human condition. 17Թ theatre explores the spiritual aspects of our collective experience, examining compelling issues and ideas in a provocative and entertaining manner.

Program Highlights

In addition to classes in theatre history and literature, students can choose to pursue the major with either an acting or design emphasis, minor in dance, or they can create a self-designed major through the  in or playwriting. Courses of study include: 

  • acting
  • dance
  • design 
  • directing 
  • film
  • history and literature
two students sitting in a theatre production on stage

Each semester students collaborate with faculty and professional staff on major productions.

stage during a theatre production

View photos of past theatre department productions.

Theatre and Dance News

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Blog: McSweeney ’21 Eager to Show What Life is Like at 17Թ
NAME Rebecca McSweeney ’21 HOMETOWN Stoughton, Massachusetts STUDIES SHE’S CONSIDERING Biology major WHY SHE CHOSE HOLY CROSS “I first heard about 17Թ through a family friend. What really convinced me that 17Թ was the perfect school for me, …
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Blog: At 17Թ, Mercier ’21 Has Found a Friendly Community and Countless Opportunities
NAME Emily Mercier ’21 HOMETOWN Cumberland, Rhode Island STUDIES SHE’S CONSIDERING Psychology and theatre double major WHY SHE CHOSE HOLY CROSS “After I was accepted, I came to an open house and met a lot of current students representing their …
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Ann Dowd ’78, P20 Wins Emmy Award for ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
Ann Dowd ’78, P20 won the award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her work on “The Handmaid’s Tale” at the 69th annual Emmy Awards which aired live on CBS from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles …