Welcome to the Theater and Dance Department!
Our department offers small academic and studio courses in which students are closely mentored by expert faculty. Our curriculum includes advanced classes for those interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts. We also encourage students without previous experience to try a beginning course in acting, dance, design, or playwriting. Always make sure to contact the instructor if you do not meet prerequisites for a given course; oftentimes, first-year students have past experience that will ease them into such learning opportunities.
With the exception of dance technique courses, THDA classes count for your Fine Arts requirements. Many fulfill USID, Internationalism, various Writing and Q requirements as well.
Theater and Dance Audition Information
Auditions for theater productions and dance concerts are open to all Macalester students. First-year students are regularly cast in theater productions and dance concert pieces. Additional information about the audition process and the productions will be on our website, and available here.
If you’re interested in the process of developing and creating a piece of performance from the ground up on the stage, then sign up to audition for our Fall 2024 Theater production!
Auditions for the Fall Dance Concert will be held on Sunday, September 8th at 12:00pm – 2:00pm in the Fox Dance Studio. No advance sign ups are required, and you don’t need to prepare anything to audition – just bring yourself and clothing you can move in. New dancers encouraged to audition.
MacFest is looking for actors of all skill levels to do a cold reading of student-written pieces! There are no rehearsals and you will be provided scripts in advance. Sign up here.
Arts @ Mac: An Open House Social
When you arrive on campus, keep an eye out for information on Arts @ Mac Welcome Week, sponsored by the departments of Music, Art and Art History, and Theater and Dance. Meet faculty, returning students and guest artists, and get information on auditions, backstage work opportunities, the curriculum and courses, and special events.