For Prospective Students
Why We're Different
Our faculty collaborate with global, ethnic, and interdisciplinary academic programs
Capstone experiences: Honors theses, main stage design assignments, senior directorial projects, musical theatre workshop
Many of our students pursue double majors
W&M Theatre presents high-quality and richly staged productions, reviving important classical dramas and producing challenging contemporary theatre
W&M Dance brings exciting performances of original faculty and student choreography to the community
Students from all areas of study participate in W&M Theatre and W&M Dance productions
Our Theatre, Speech & Dance students participate in classes, laboratories, and productions in order to understand, appreciate, and pursue aspects of the performing arts. No audition is required to major or minor in the department. Auditions for performers and applications for design and technical positions are open to all W&M students.
Degree Programs
Courses
Theatre courses include acting, stagecraft, design, history, and dramatic literature. Students interested in performance can study acting, voice, musical theatre, stage combat, dance, and physical theatre. Students interested in design and technical theatre can study lighting, scenic, costume and sound design, or stage management. Aspiring playwrights may take coursework in playwriting and submit plays to Premiere Theatre.
Speech courses offer instruction and practice in effective oral communication and critical thinking. Students may participate in the W&M Debate Society.
Dance courses are taught at four levels of modern technique, intermediate ballet or jazz, choreography, and history. Many students study dance for the first time at William & Mary. A number of students participate in Performance Ensemble.
Research
Our students experience the excitement of working closely with faculty in small classes and one-on-one in faculty-guided independent undergraduate research. Working relationships and friendships are forged that last a lifetime. Students work on W&M Theatre and W&M Dance productions in highly responsible positions.
Production Opportunities
In keeping with the Department's liberal arts philosophy, participation in department productions, both on and off stage, is open to all members of the campus community including non-majors.
Student Activities
Several student organizations are part of the department. Of particular note is the student-run Sinfonicron Light Opera Company, which produces annual musicals and light operas.
Careers
Our majors and minors receive broadly-based, cross-disciplinary training that prepares them for graduate work and careers in both related and nonperforming fields. Former students have noted that they learned a great deal about themselves through the department's courses, and that the close bond that develops between students and faculty is an especially valuable part of their W&M experience.
Talk to Us
Want to know more? Our current students and faculty want to connect with you.
- Get an inside look: contact a current Theatre, Speech & Dance major
- Ask a professor:
- contact [[ljwolf, Professor Laurie Wolf, Department Chair]]
- contact [[lfglen, Professor Leah Glenn, Director of Dance]]
