Phantom of the Opera

School of Theatre & Dance

The Millikin Difference

There’s a reason our School of Theatre & Dance programs are regularly recognized among the best in the nation — our personalized Performance Learning curriculum provides hands-on, real-world experience in every aspect of theatre and dance. At Millikin, you will do the work of your future career starting on day one. Our students take advantage of rigorous and rewarding production seasons, real collaboration with industry professionals and daily access to state-of-the-art technology. From celebrated runs on Broadway to winning Tony awards, our graduates excel as performers, designers, technicians, managers and arts leaders.

Nationally Ranked Programs

"Top 10 Schools for Musical Theatre" - College Magazine

"Top 10 BFA Acting programs in the US" - Onstage Blog

"Top 13 Musical Theatre programs outside of NYC" - American Theatre Magazine

School of Theatre & Dance

  • ProspectiveStudents

    The School of Theatre & Dance is a high profile program within a small university setting fostering an environment where individualized attention is the norm. Faculty work side by side with students as mentors and as artists.

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  • Programs of Study

    The arts are a living and vital part of Millikin's culture, as almost a quarter of Millikin students study within the College of Fine Arts. With art shows, concerts, theatre productions, and presentations every week, our campus is alive with the talents of our fine arts students. All students are welcome to experience the arts at Millikin through these venues, as well as through on-campus courses and off-campus and study abroad experiences. Through our vast array of musical, theatrical, and visual arts, students are continually being challenged and changed for the better in the College of Fine Arts.

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      Acting, B.F.A.

      Pursue a sequenced and rigorous curriculum that develops acting skills in preparation for a professional career in theatre.
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      Theatre Design & Production, B.F.A.

      Focus on the technical aspects of theatre with opportunities to design multiple productions and experience production leadership roles every semester.
    • Musical Theatre

      Musical Theatre, B.F.A.

      This major fosters excellence in acting, singing and dance technique in preparation for a professional career in musical theatre.
    • Stage Management, B.F.A.

      Stage Management, B.F.A.

      Combine coursework in technical theatre, communications and management with internship opportunities and stage management assignments to build the skills you’ll need for a career in professional stage management.
    • Theatre and Performance Studies B.A.

      Theatre, B.A.

      This program helps students develop a course of study uniquely tailored to their own career goals in performance. Students will acquire deep knowledge about analysis and theory of theatre and performance and apply those skills in areas from traditional theatre to devised theory and performance art.
    • Theatre and Dance Minors

      Theatre and Dance Minors

      The minor in theatre is an exciting 21 credit course of study designed for those seeking a wide array of experiences within the theatre arts.


  • Signature Programs

    In addition to the intensive focus on individual disciplines, students in the School of Theatre & Dance have opportunities to engage in one or more of our Signature programs. From working with professional writing teams to immersing in international culture, from being part of a student run theatre company to engaging in social entrepreneurship, these unique programs offer our students invaluable Performance Learning opportunities rich in transferrable skills.

  • New Center for Theatre & Dance

    The Center for Theatre & Dance is an innovative, state-of-the-art facility featuring a 260-seat flexible theatre, lighting and sound labs, costume and acting studios, design classrooms, practice rooms, modern theatre equipment and more.

  • Student Resources

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    New Students

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    Current Students

    Millikin University’s School of Theatre & Dance (SOTAD) is committed to becoming actively anti-racist. We understand that this will require learning, unlearning, and discomfort. SOTAD will center Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)/Global Majority (GM), while also decentering whiteness to re-imagine structures and systems that have long existed in the fine and performing arts and within institutions of higher education.

    Click Here To View The Full Plan

    2024 Annual Report

Department News