Notre Dame College Theatre

Note: The Notre Dame College Theatre program closed in 2024.

The Theatre program at Notre Dame College (NDC) in South Euclid, Ohio, was a vibrant component of the college’s Performing Arts offerings, fostering creativity and critical thinking among its students. Established in 1922 as a women’s college by the Sisters of Notre Dame, NDC became coeducational in 2001 and developed a robust liberal arts curriculum, including theatre, until its closure in May 2024. The Theatre program provided students with opportunities to engage in live performances, both on campus in the Regina Auditorium and Performing Arts Center and through collaborations with local organizations like Heights Youth Theatre and the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival. These experiences were designed to nurture artistic expression while enhancing students’ problem-solving and collaborative skills, aligning with NDC’s mission to prepare students for meaningful careers and lives.

NDC’s Theatre program stood out for its emphasis on practical, hands-on experience, allowing students to explore various facets of theatrical production, from acting and directing to design and arts management. The program was structured to prepare students not only for performance-based roles but also for the business side of the arts, teaching skills in managing and administering performing arts organizations. Annual performances, such as the 2023 production of Bye Bye Birdie with Heights Youth Theatre and the Cleveland premiere of The Light with Ensemble Theatre, showcased student talent and community engagement. These productions, held in the Regina Auditorium, highlighted the program’s commitment to blending educational rigor with creative exploration.

The Theatre program was deeply integrated into NDC’s liberal arts framework, encouraging students to combine their theatre studies with other disciplines to develop well-rounded skill sets. Students could participate in theatre ensembles, gaining performance experience while taking coursework that deepened their understanding of the art form. The program also offered minors in Theatre, allowing students to complement their major degree programs with performance-based coursework, fostering lifelong creativity and critical thinking. The college’s picturesque 48-acre campus in South Euclid, just 25 minutes from downtown Cleveland, provided an inspiring backdrop for these artistic endeavors, with its historic Administration Building often serving as a setting for outdoor performances.

Community engagement was a hallmark of NDC’s Theatre program, with free public events like the Ray Rhodes Concert Series and Cleveland Shakespeare Festival plays, such as As You Like It and Measure for Measure, performed on the college commons. These events not only showcased student involvement but also strengthened ties with the South Euclid community, reinforcing the college’s role as a cultural hub. The program’s Performing Arts scholarships, available to students regardless of their major, further democratized access to theatre education, ensuring that all interested students could participate in and benefit from the program’s offerings.

Despite its rich contributions, the Theatre program, like the college itself, ceased operations when NDC closed on May 2, 2024, due to financial challenges, including a $16 million debt and declining enrollment. Arrangements were made for students to complete their degrees at partner institutions, preserving their academic progress. The legacy of NDC’s Theatre program endures through its alumni and the cultural impact it had on South Euclid, leaving behind a tradition of artistic excellence and community connection.