Department of Theatre & Dance

For students in Kansas with a passion for the performing arts, the University of Kansas's Department of Theatre & Dance in Lawrence stands as a beacon of artistic and academic excellence. This renowned department, situated within one of the state's leading universities, offers a dynamic and comprehensive environment where aspiring performers, designers, technicians, and scholars can hone their craft, deepen their understanding of the arts, and prepare for impactful careers in the diverse world of theatre and dance. It’s not just a place of learning; it’s a stage where talent is nurtured, creativity is unleashed, and the future of the arts is shaped by the next generation of professionals.

The Department of Theatre & Dance at KU is an inspirational learning incubator, dedicated to providing students with opportunities to put theory into practice. Here, the classroom truly meets the stage, allowing students to engage in fully produced productions – from comedies and dramas to musicals and concert dance. This hands-on approach, combined with a robust academic curriculum, ensures a well-rounded education that prepares students for the multifaceted demands of the performing arts industry. Faculty and professional staff are a community of scholar-artists, mentors, and professional practitioners who offer individualized attention, encouraging students to take risks and explore their creative potential.

For decades, this department has been a cornerstone of the arts community in Lawrence and beyond, serving as a vital cultural resource for Kansans. Its commitment to presenting thought-provoking and entertaining productions means that local audiences have access to high-quality performances that not only entertain but also educate and provoke thoughtful discussion. Choosing to engage with the Department of Theatre & Dance, whether as a student or an audience member, means supporting educational theatre and investing in the future of the arts within our state.

The department prides itself on fostering a creative, diverse, and inclusive educational environment, where students are supported in identifying and cultivating their unique contributions to an increasingly global world. With a philosophy that artists are critically thinking, self-starting, and entrepreneurially engaged artist-scholars, KU Theatre & Dance provides the intellectual and practical connections needed to be competitive professionals in both academic and professional settings.

The Department of Theatre & Dance is centrally located on the University of Kansas campus at 1530 Naismith Dr, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA. This prime location places it within the vibrant academic and cultural hub of Lawrence, a city renowned for its lively arts scene and quintessential college-town atmosphere. Naismith Drive is a significant artery on the KU campus, making the department’s facilities, including Murphy Hall and Robinson Center, easily identifiable and accessible.

Murphy Hall, which houses the academic offices, production offices, box office, classrooms, rehearsal studios, and key performance spaces like the Crafton-Preyer Theatre and William Inge Memorial Theatre, is located at the corner of 15th Street and Naismith Drive. The nearby Robinson Center contains the dance office and three well-equipped dance studios, one of which converts into the Elizabeth Sherbon Theatre. For students and visitors, the campus setting offers various parking options, and Lawrence's public transportation system provides additional accessibility. This convenient and well-integrated location ensures that students and audience members from across Kansas can easily access the department's educational programs and public performances.

• Undergraduate Degree Programs: Comprehensive Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs in Theatre and Dance, covering acting, directing, design, technical theatre, and dance performance.
• Graduate Degree Programs: Advanced Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs for specialized study in various areas of theatre and dance, including design, dramaturgy, and performance studies.
• Fully Produced Public Performances: A robust season of plays, musicals, and dance concerts presented by University Theatre and University Dance Company, offering students practical experience and serving as a cultural resource for the community.
• Professional Training and Practical Experience: Opportunities for students to engage in all aspects of production, from performance and technical skills to design and management, in a professional-grade setting.
• Rigorous Academic Curriculum: Education grounded in historical knowledge, dramatic literature, critical theory, and the role of arts in society.
• Scholarships and Financial Aid: Support available to both undergraduate and graduate students to assist with educational costs.
• Alumni Network and Professional Connections: An extensive network of alumni working in various aspects of academe, the entertainment industry, and non-profit organizations, providing valuable mentorship and career opportunities.
• Facility Rentals: Limited opportunities for campus and outside organizations to rent performance spaces and studios within Murphy Hall and Robinson Center.
• Youth and Community Programs: While the primary focus is university-level education, opportunities for community engagement through performances and potentially workshops that connect with the wider Lawrence arts scene.

• Renowned Faculty and Professional Staff: A team of scholar-artists, mentors, and professional practitioners who are actively engaged in research and creative work, bringing real-world experience to the classroom.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Access to dedicated performance spaces including the Crafton-Preyer Theatre, William Inge Memorial Theatre (both in Murphy Hall), and the Elizabeth Sherbon Theatre (in Robinson Center), along with specialized labs for costume, scenic design, and dance studios.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: A balanced approach that integrates intense hands-on production experience with rigorous academic study, fostering both artistic talent and critical thinking skills.
• Diverse Performance Season: A yearly schedule featuring a wide array of productions, including classic plays, contemporary dramas, musicals, and original dance works, providing varied learning and viewing opportunities.
• Emphasis on Holistic Development: Programs designed to cultivate not only performers and technicians but also critical thinkers, self-starters, and entrepreneurially engaged artist-scholars.
• Strong Alumni Network: Graduates go on to practice, teach, and create at the highest levels in professional and academic settings, forming a valuable network for current students.
• Community Engagement: Serves as a significant cultural resource for the University and the larger Kansas community, offering opportunities for public attendance at high-quality productions.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Fosters an educational environment that embraces diverse perspectives and backgrounds, preparing students for an increasingly global arts landscape.

Address: 1530 Naismith Dr, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA

Phone: (785) 864-3511

Mobile Phone: +1 785-864-3511

For students and arts enthusiasts across Kansas, the Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Kansas in Lawrence offers an exceptional and highly suitable option for pursuing higher education and experiencing the performing arts. Its appeal to locals is rooted in its robust academic offerings, professional training opportunities, and its significant cultural contribution to the state.

Firstly, as a department within the flagship University of Kansas, it provides the unparalleled resources of a major research institution combined with the focused, hands-on training of a specialized arts program. For Kansas students seeking a comprehensive university experience without leaving the state, this means access to world-class faculty, diverse academic opportunities, and a vibrant campus life in a quintessential college town like Lawrence. The accessibility of its location on Naismith Drive ensures that local students can seamlessly integrate their studies into their lives, whether they commute or live on campus.

The strength of its programs in both theatre and dance, spanning performance, design, technical theatre, and scholarly inquiry, means that a wide range of artistic passions can be explored and developed. This breadth of offerings, from undergraduate to doctoral levels, caters to various career aspirations within the arts. The emphasis on practical experience, through numerous fully produced performances each season, provides students with invaluable real-world training that is often a hallmark of successful arts education.

Beyond academic pursuits, the Department of Theatre & Dance serves as a vital cultural asset for the entire Kansas community. Its public performances at venues like the Crafton-Preyer Theatre and the William Inge Memorial Theatre offer local residents access to high-quality, thought-provoking productions. This creates a symbiotic relationship: students gain essential performance experience, and the community benefits from a rich array of artistic expressions. Supporting this department means supporting the cultural vibrancy of our state.

Moreover, the department's commitment to nurturing critically thinking, well-rounded artist-scholars ensures that graduates are not only skilled performers or technicians but also adaptable individuals prepared for evolving creative industries. The strong alumni network further connects students to professional opportunities within Kansas and beyond. For any Kansas student aspiring to a career in the performing arts, or simply looking to deepen their engagement with theatre and dance, the Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Kansas provides an accessible, high-quality, and deeply enriching educational journey right here in our home state.

Department of Theatre & Dance

1530 Naismith Dr, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA