Programs of Study in Theatre & Dance

In the desire to develop theatre artists and artisans of the highest ability, the Department of Theatre and Dance at Otterbein University provides a select number of undergraduate students with the training, education and experiences necessary for the successful pursuit of careers in the American professional theatre.

Why study Theatre at Otterbein University?

  • Designed for students whose professional career goals and interests involve study in multiple disciplines of theatre.
  • Ideal for students whose interests lie in careers in directing, playwriting, and stage management, artistic or company management, or students who know they love theatre but are still seeking the best career path.
  • Students are involved in mainstage productions within their first year.
  • Provides a vibrant guest artist program providing master classes and common hours with professionals in the field.
  • Opportunities are limitless; whether it’s double-majoring, involvement with workshops and advanced directing projects, creating a senior capstone experience or taking a professional internship.

Why study Theatre Design & Technology at Otterbein University?

  • An immersive hands-on experience in which students achieve practical production experience across ALL areas of technical theatre.
  • Students move into leadership positions quickly: learning by doing and leading.
  • A four-year sequence of courses in design, theatre technology and visual arts, paired with mainstage production assignments.
  • Provides a vibrant guest artist program providing master classes and common hours with professionals in the field.
  • Highlighted by a semester-long professional internship at a major professional theatre.
  • Includes potential opportunities for fully-produced designs for advanced students.
  • Our students are trained to become versatile and effective collaborators.

Why study Acting at Otterbein University?

  • A four-year sequence of courses in acting, voice, movement, and dance.
  • A wide variety of public performances to provide students experience in different theatrical styles.
  • Provides a vibrant guest artist program providing master classes and common hours with professionals in the field.
  • Highlighted by a 10-week internship with a professional New York casting director, or with agents, directors, and choreographers in Chicago or Los Angeles.
  • Eligible to participate in the Senior Showcase, produced in New York City for talent agents and casting directors.

Why study Musical Theatre at Otterbein University?

  • An interdisciplinary program in acting, voice, music, and dance to prepare students as “triple threats.”
  • Coursework augmented with a wide variety of public performances to provide students experience in different theatrical styles, with strong emphasis on exposing students to all aspects of the musical theatre canon.
  • Offers daily instruction in ballet, jazz, modern, and tap, with regular exposure to hip hop and other musical theatre techniques.
  • Provides a vibrant guest artist program providing master classes and common hours with professionals in the field.
  • Highlighted by a 10-week internship with a professional New York casting director or agents, directors, and choreographers in Chicago or Los Angeles.
  • Eligible to participate in the Senior Showcase, produced in New York City for talent agents and casting directors.

Why get a Dance Minor at Otterbein University?

  • Opportunity to continue advanced level training in dance while pursuing a chosen academic major. Curriculum includes basic and advanced level choreography courses and dance history.
  • Offers daily instruction in ballet, jazz, modern, and tap, with regular exposure to hip hop and other musical theatre techniques.
  • Provides a vibrant guest artist program providing master classes and common hours with professionals in the field.
  • Opportunity to audition for an annual mainstage dance concert as well as the fall and spring musicals.
  • Opportunities to participate in fall and spring dance workshops.