North Central College

North Central College’s Theatre Department offers a dynamic, production‑centered theatre education that blends liberal‑arts inquiry with hands‑on practice. With an ambitious season of six mainstage productions annually—including two musicals—students engage in substantial performance, design, and technical experiences. These productions serve as the heart of the program, enabling majors to earn practicum credit each semester by working in acting, directing, stage management, or design roles.

Faculty bring a mix of scholarly and professional expertise, often drawn from Chicago’s vibrant theatre scene. Students benefit from mentorship and instruction across disciplines including acting, Musical Theatre, design & technology, and directing & dramaturgy. This broad-based training fosters adaptability and creative agility—qualities essential for thriving in regional and professional theatre environments.

Facilities include several campus venues—such as Pfeiffer Hall (1,057-seat proscenium), Wentz Concert Hall, and the 150-seat Madden Black Box Theatre—providing a range of performance spaces from thrust and traditional stages to studio settings. This variety supports a diverse production slate and enables students to experience multiple performance formats.

Programs emphasize portfolio building and professional preparation. Seniors present at a Chicago-based Senior Showcase to auditioning casting directors and agents. The curriculum includes courses like Script Analysis, Stagecraft, Acting Fundamentals, Business of Theatre, Portfolio Development, and Musical Theatre Dance. Numerous internships and partnerships with institutions such as Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater further connect students with industry networks.

Graduates leave North Central College with strong performance, design, and technical portfolios. Alumni find roles in regional theatres, national tours, and storefront companies like Porchlight Music Theatre, and also pursue graduate study at institutions such as NYU, University of Alabama, or UNM. The program balances artistic ambition with practical readiness for diverse theatre careers.