Chair: Professor David Wiles

The Department of Theater and Dance provides Carleton students with opportunities to study, perform and work in practical theater. Dance activities at Carleton are designed to give students of all levels opportunities for active participation in three basic areas: technique, choreography and analysis, and performance.

Can I major in it? A regular major is offered in Theater Arts, and advanced students may apply for a special major in Dance.

Topics explored: Dance: ballet, modern, jazz, contact improv, choreography, dance history. Theater: acting, voice, movement, dramatic literature, history and theory, design and technical theater, directing, playwriting, and the chance to produce, write, design, direct, stage manage and perform.

How to get started: There are a variety of courses open to first-year students: THEA 100 Topics vary from year to year; THEA 110: Beginning Acting, THEA 115: Introduction to Design and Technical Theater, THEA 175: Drama/Theater/Text, THEA 185: The Speaking Voice, THEA 190: Carleton Players Production, THEA 225: Theater History and Theory, THEA 239 - Topics in Theater: Costume Design, THEA 240: Directing I, THEA 241: Directing II, THEA 242: 20th Century American Drama, THEA 246: Playwriting.

Dance courses open to first-year students, depending on skill level, include: DANC 107: Ballet I, DANC 147: Moving Anatomy, DANC 148: Modern Dance I: Theory and Technique, DANC 150: Contact Improvisation, DANC 200: Modern Dance II: Theory and Technique, DANC 204: Fall Dance, DANC 205: Winter Dance, DANC 208: Ballet II, DANC 214: Fall Dance Student Choreography, and DANC 215: Winter Dance Student Choreography.