Theatre & Dance

Theatre & Dance
Evening of Dance

A Vibrant Community of Creatives

Are you your best self on stage? Does movement light you up and give you energy? Let yourself shine while gaining practical mastery in all facets of production and critical interaction. At Keene State, you can expect to be brought into the fold of inclusive mentors and faculty from the onset and rise to become a mentor yourself as a senior. This student-centered degree has actors, dancers and technicians creating together in the laboratory of the Redfern Arts Center. 

Major

There is so much to experience here! Explore faculty-directed productions. Flourish in master classes and workshops with visiting artists. Demonstrate your capabilities to communities and scholarly audiences. Fuse this hands-on learning with the exceptional liberal arts experience that Keene State delivers. And earn a degree that can help you grow, transform, and enhance any arts community you’re a part of.

Program Options

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This ultra-inclusive program is based on modern and contemporary dance, emphasizing technique, choreography, and performance. Perform and present your own choreography in our fully produced, culminating, main-stage concert, in student-choreographed productions, and in class presentations, along with participating in performances with visiting professional artists, including the American College Dance Association Conference. You can pursue:

  • Performance
  • Choreography
  • Education
  • Movement therapy
  • Arts management
  • Arts criticism

Dance specializations include choreography & performance (leading to a BA degree), dance education (leading to a BA degree), K-12 dance education certification (leading to a BA in theatre & dance and a BS in elementary education or early childhood development).

One hundred percent student-driven productions are the core of this focus. You’ll build scenery, design costumes, oversee lighting, run the sound board, and manage the stage both on campus and on the road. If an adventure intrigues you, experience our exchange program with the Theatre Department of the University of Ireland in Galway and the annual regional festival of the American College Theatre Festival. Break a leg! 

  • Specialize in acting and directing: Hone your prowess in drama and musical theatre, from Shakespeare to modern playwrights and student-created productions.
    • Assimilate the Stanislavski System, from intention play to scene scoring to character creation to playing moment-to-moment.
    • Master acting technique by exploring the physical and vocal demands of the art form.
    • Practice a wide variety of scene and monologue work spanning improvisation, new playwrights, Shakespeare, and Musical Theatre.
    • Experience the challenges of leading a collaborative effort to opening night as director.
    • Test yourself in the crucible of live performance.
    • Discover the importance of ensemble as you and your classmates create new worlds.
  • Specialize in design and technical theatre: Want to explore behind-the-scenes of theatre for hands-on design and production technologies? These include researching and sketching, construction, and performance, all with the support of our exceptional faculty. Delve into the costumes, scenery, lighting, and sound of our performance laboratory, the Redfern Arts Center as a:
    • Stage manager
    • Cutter/draper
    • Master electrician
    • Sound designer
    • Assistant technical director

Do you have a knack for leadership and a love of theatre and dance? The arts management specialization may be for you. The major provides students with the skills necessary to provide quality leadership in the business aspects of arts organizations, including theatre and dance companies, entertainment venues, and more. 

Through an interdisciplinary curricular approach, students gain a broad perspective, discipline-specific knowledge, and practical hands-on experience in arts management.

Minors

Undergraduate

Find Your Potential

Find ample ways to nourish your artistic talent at Keene State. First and foremost, our dedicated faculty care about your success deeply and will foster your excellence through:

  • The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
  • The American College Dance Conference
  • The annual Academic Excellence Conference, which combines master classes, visiting artists, modern road productions, and student-led creativity and research.

Additionally, the Theatre & Dance Department grants one new student a talent scholarship of $3,000 per year for four years towards the recipient’s college tuition, given they are in good academic standing. Incoming actors, dancers, designers, and technicians can apply via audition, video-screening, and/or portfolio presentation. 

Career Opportunities

Think your creative flair deserved an exceptionally-supportive education? We do, too! Wondering what’s next after your deep dive into the arts at Keene State? Your professional portfolio is yours to take any and everywhere. Our theatre and dance alumni have received Emmys and Oscars and even designed the Super Bowl halftime show with Madonna. 

They are producers, actors, directors, coaches, teachers, and dance specialists. Beyond that, they are healthcare workers, solar energy experts, and bank managers. That is the value of a liberal arts education. The empowerment becomes you.

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Contact Admissions

Admissions Office
603-358-2276
229 Main Street
Keene, New Hampshire 03435