Department of Theatre and Dance
| Department Chair: |
Tymberley A. Whitesel |
| Administrative Assistant: |
Deborah Hawkins |
| Professor: |
T. Whitesel |
| Associate Professors: |
E. Cohn, G. Hurley, D. Inouye |
Majors and Minors
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers the following majors:
Dance (B.A.)
Digital Media (B.A.) with a concentration in Church Media (See Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors for details)
Musical Theatre (B.F.A.)
Theatre (B.A.) with emphases in:
Acting
Directing
Technical Production and Design
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers minors in Theatre and in Dance.
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers a rigorous exploration of historic and contemporary theatre practice within a vibrant liberal arts program. Our curriculum cultivates the stewardship of intellect and imagination through a variety of Christian perspectives. In a dynamic exchange between learning and doing, students engage theatre and dance through a wealth of hands-on experiences. Our students participate in theatre and dance as a forum for civic dialogue where history, culture, politics, and religion meet to give form and meaning to the human experience. Upon graduation, our students are prepared not only to meet the artistic and technical challenges of 21st century theatre, but also to serve and lead a new generation of artists and scholars.
The Department also contributes to General Education at Messiah University. It offers a variety of courses in theatre and dance that are designed to fulfill the University’s General Arts requirement. The Department sponsors theatrical productions dance concerts, and lectures that are attended by the Messiah community as well as residents of the Harrisburg area.
Auditions
Students wishing to major in Theatre, Musical Theatre, or Dance must complete an audition for acceptance into the program. The Department schedules two - three days for auditions each year: one in the fall, and two in early spring. Students may also schedule auditions at other times during the year if they are not able to attend on the scheduled audition days. For more information please contact the Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance.