Department of Dance and Theatre

Main Departmental Office
Radio, TV, Film and Performing Arts Building, Room 242

Mailing address:
1155 Union Circle #310607
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-2211
Fax: 940-565-4453

E-mail: data@unt.edu
Web site: www.danceandtheatre.unt.edu

Dance Office
Stovall Hall, Room 180
940-565-3432
Fax: 940-369-7458

Lorenzo Garcia, Chair

The Department of Dance and Theatre is dedicated to the professions of theatre and dance as central concerns of a civilized society and as primary methodologies in the education of its citizenry. Small groups of teachers and students, using as a foundation artists and artworks from both past and present and from all cultures and civilizations, collaborate in rehearsals and public performances derived from the finest possible classroom experiences.

Scholarly and empirical research are combined with a high level of spontaneous creativity to develop the entire spectrum of dance and theatre as art forms. Playwrights, actors, dancers, choreographers, directors, designers, technicians and teachers are encouraged to discover and to enhance their own creativity, to bear witness through their artistry to the richness of human life and to make artistic excellence an essential component of contemporary performance.

The Department of Dance and Theatre operates several facilities designed and equipped to generate, organize and conduct research in dance and dramatic performance, design and technical production.

The University Theatre, with a 475-seat proscenium-stage and a flexible studio theatre, both located in the Radio, TV, Film and Performing Arts Building; the Stovall Hall performance space; five dance studios; acting/directing studios; rehearsal rooms; a scene shop; a state-of-the-art costume design and construction space; the scenery and costume collection; and the department library represent a commitment to providing the finest possible theatre and dance education.

Current information regarding application, auditions, portfolio reviews, interviews and requirements is available at the department web site, www.danceandtheatre.unt.edu.

Academic advising

Students who wish to major in dance should consult an advisor in the Dance Office, Stovall Hall, Room 180, about selection of courses, a degree audit, application of transfer credit in dance, and general academic requirements, policies and procedures. The approval of the department chair is required for degree audits. Theatre majors and minors will be advised by the academic advisor by contacting the department office, Room 242 of the Radio, TV, Film and Performing Arts Building.

All members of the dance and theatre faculty are available to help students achieve a successful enrollment at the University of North Texas and to provide guidance through their academic and professional careers.

Dance programs of study

The department offers undergraduate programs in the following area:

Theatre program of study

The department offers an undergraduate program in the following area:

Bachelor of Arts with a major in theatre

The department offers a minor in theatre and a series of courses designed to prepare students to sit for the certification examinations in theatre .

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a flexible liberal arts degree intended to offer a basic comprehensive knowledge of theatre, and the BA program in theatre is dedicated to providing a well-rounded major within a liberal arts context.

Undergraduate majors are required to complete courses in acting, design and technical theatre, and theatre history/dramatic literature, as well as electives at the 3000–4000 level. Theatre elective courses include courses in intermediate and advanced level acting and movement, design and technical theatre, stage management, teaching methods in creative drama, theatre for young audiences, playwriting, and a directing series. The balance of the course work provides opportunities in all elements of production. The faculty considers the optimum preparation for the theatre is to be comprised of a liberal arts undergraduate major in theatre and a graduate conservatory education. The BA program is projected to be a 4-year degree, with the preferred entry point to occur during the fall semester. However, duration in the program can be affected by the timeliness of the major declaration, number and type of transfer credits and semester credit load.

Scholarships

The Ann Bradshaw Stokes Award is provided by a grant from the Ann Bradshaw Stokes Foundation. The Gaylord-Hughes Scholarship has been made possible through an endowment by noted actress Martha Gaylord and by Tom Hughes, late producer and managing director of the Dallas Summer Musicals and a Distinguished Alumnus; by the work of guest artists; and by contributions. Two recently endowed scholarships honoring former department chairs include the Ed DeLatte Scholarship in musical theatre and the Ralph B. Culp Scholarship in directing. The Lucille Murchison Scholarships in dance, costuming and technical theatre are the result of the department’s participation in the UNT Centennial Extravaganza. Dance scholarships are supported by gifts from faculty, students and alumni. The Chun Hui Lee Dance Scholarship is the result of the generosity of Mr. Chun Hui Lee. The Mills Dance Scholarship was established by an alumnus, the late Eugene Mills.

All scholarships are presented to students majoring in the Department of Dance and Theatre during any term/semester or summer session. Each year on announced dates, interested students must audition for the performance awards or submit design portfolios for technical awards available for the summer sessions and the following academic year.

Information is available in the department office in the Radio, TV, Film and Performing Arts Building, Room 242, or from the department web site at www.danceandtheatre.unt.edu.

Organizations

The serious student of dance or theatre may become a member of Alpha Psi Omega, Chi Tau Epsilon, DANCE UNiT and University Players, undergraduate organizations that serve the dance and theatre department and other university programs.

Programs

Majors

Minors

Theatre minor

Secondary Teacher Certification

Dance teacher certification

All Level Teacher Certification

Theatre teacher certification

Courses

Dance

Theatre

Quicklinks

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