Ithaca College

Ithaca College’s theatre program is part of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, which merged with the Department of Theatre Arts in 2022. This integration formed the Center for Theatre and Dance—a conservatory-style program grounded in the liberal arts. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), the center blends rigorous practical training with robust academic study across all theatre disciplines, guided by over 30 faculty who bring professional experience to their teaching and mentorship.

Students engage in a highly production-rich environment, with over 450 performances each year across theatre, dance, opera, and music. Venues include the 535-seat Hoerner Theatre, the flexible 280-seat Clark Theatre, and the intimate 50-seat McCarroll Theatre—all housed within the Dillingham Center. These facilities support a variety of staging formats and enable students to take on diverse roles in acting, design, and technical production.

Coursework emphasizes interdisciplinary learning paired with practice. All majors begin with foundational courses such as Technical Theatre Practicum, Introduction to Professional Theatre, Race and Theatre in the United States, and Theatre History. Higher-level offerings include Scene Study, Voice & Movement for the Stage, Musical Theatre Workshop, Directing, Playwriting, and Theatre Administration—all structured to build technique, creativity, and critical engagement.

The program offers unique experiences such as the Ithaca College London Center. In their junior year, many students study abroad in London, taking immersive theatre courses that include stage combat, Shakespeare, theatrical walks, and playgoing nearly twice a week. Internships in management and technical theatre are also available through partnerships with London’s professional theatre scene.

Faculty and alumni connections provide networking opportunities across the theatre industry. Ithaca College is located in Ithaca, NY—home to acclaimed regional theatres like Hangar Theatre and Kitchen Theatre Company—which frequently collaborate with students through guest workshops, intern placements, and field-study programs. This connection strengthens the college’s preparation for post-graduate theatre work.