The School
of Theatre
and Dance
AT KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
WELCOME TO
THE SCHOOL OF
THEATRE AND
DANCE
The School of Theatre
and Dance at Kent State
University gives students the
opportunity to immerse
themselves in the study of
their art at one of the nation’s
highest ranked public
research universities.
From dawn until long after
dark, the halls, classrooms,
studios and stages of the
Center for the Performing
Arts are alive with creative
activities. With conservatorystyle training on a liberal
arts foundation, the school’s
professional culture
permeates every facet
of life and learning. As a
result, students cultivate
their talents and make the
connections necessary for
career success.
In addition to in-depth
coursework, our
comprehensive training
programs are rooted in
a commitment to student
development through
mentorship and real-life
experiences. Year-round
production opportunities
provide students with a
quality education in our
state-of-the-art facilities,
including the recently
completed Roe Green Center
for the School of Theatre and
Dance, which houses more
than 70,000 square feet of
learning, performance and
design space. With three
performance spaces on
site in the Center for the
Performing Arts and a fourth
in the form of our outdoor
summer theatre, Porthouse
Theatre, students have many
chances to display their work.
immerse
yourself in
your art
PROGRAMS
DANCE
DESIGN
AND TECHNOLGY
MUSICAL
THEATRE
THEATRE
STUDIES
GRADUATE
TRAINING
WHERE WILL
YOUR DREAMS
TAKE YOU?
The School of Theatre
and Dance offers
comprehensive
programs leading
to Bachelor of Arts,
Bachelor of Fine Arts
and Master of Fine
Arts degrees. Within
these degree programs,
students have the
opportunity to focus
their studies in specific
concentrations.
explore
and grow
DANCE
YOUR LIFE
IN DANCE
Bachelor of Arts in
Dance Studies
My time at the School of
Theatre and Dance gave me
some of the most special
years of my life. I built a
family of friends, a wealth of
knowledge and a network
of tools that will
never leave me. My
time there helped
develop me not only
as an artist and a person,
but as a young professional
entering the field of dance. I
represent the school and the
school represents me, for it
paved the way to the career I
always dreamed of.
Sabatino A. Verlezza
B.F.A. in Dance Performance 2012
Professional Dancer, New York City
Students pursuing a degree
in Dance Studies are able to
craft a personalized program
by combining a curriculum
founded in dance technique
and dance academics with
studies in other subject
areas. Dance studies
students are encouraged to
pair their degree with other
disciplines such as business,
exercise science, journalism
and education to maximize
their career potential. This
option facilitates individual
plans of coursework, double
majors and study-abroad
opportunities. An audition is
required for admission into
the Dance Studies program.
Bachelor of Fine
Arts in Dance
Performance
Dance Performance students
pursue comprehensive
training in dance technique,
choreography and
performance. A primary
curriculum in modern
dance is strongly supported
by training in ballet and
jazz. Courses in movement
science, dance history,
production, dance education,
technology, acting and
music are also required.
An audition is required for
admission into the Dance
Performance program.
Minor in Dance
Students majoring in another
academic discipline are
able to minor in dance. An
audition is required.
your life
in dance
DESIGN AND
TECHNOLOGY
BUILD
YOUR DREAMS
Bachelor of Fine
Arts in Design and
Technology
Kent State gave me the
strong foundation to help
me succeed in making my
career goals a reality. What
I value most are the strong
relationships I built with
my mentors and
peers. This network
continues to be a
positive resource
long after graduation.
Kristine Haag
B.A. in Theatre Studies, 2003
Key Costumer on ABC’s Scandal
The Design and Technology
program prepares students
for careers as professional
theatre designers,
technicians and artisans.
Students receive training in
traditional and new methods
of theatrical design and
technology, graduating as
dynamic and creative theatre
practitioners. Students
can expect a curriculum
including instruction in
scene design, technical
direction, lighting design,
sound design, video and new
media, stage management
and costume design.
Focus your
studies in:
Costume Design, Lighting
Design, Scenic Design, Stage
Management, Theatre
Technology
build your
dreams
MUSICAL
THEATRE
TAKE
YOUR MARK
Bachelor of Fine Arts Showcase
in Musical Theatre
Every year, the School of
The support that Kent State
has shown me as an actor
has been a constantly
uplifting and nurturing force
in my artistic development.
It’s a wonderful source of
strength to know
that I will always have
a professional family
at Kent State who
continues to take an active
interest in what I’m doing
with my degree. I consider
myself incredibly lucky to
have that.
Chris Richards,
B.A. in Theatre Studies, 2009
Actor in New York City
The Musical Theatre
program prepares students
for life as working artists in
the musical theatre field with
fully developed skills in music,
dance and acting. Practical
training and creative
experiences are coupled
with an interdisciplinary
liberal arts curriculum and
a foundation in theatre
history and theory. An
audition is required for
admission into the Musical
Theatre program.
Theatre and Dance sponsors
a New York City Performance
Showcase for senior
undergraduate and graduate
musical theatre and acting
students. The Showcase is a
vital networking opportunity
for students interested in
relocating to New York City
following graduation.
Students participating in
Showcase enroll in a course
that provides them with
guidance as they prepare to
perform in front of invited
casting agents, directors and
managers.
take
your
mark
THEATRE
STUDIES
YOUR ROLE
FOR A LIFETIME
Bachelor of Arts in
Theatre Studies
“The dedication by the
faculty, staff and students
to professionalism and
growth is what sets Kent
State’s School of Theatre and
Dance apart from others.
Not only can you achieve
your goals there, the
staff will help you
find talents you did
not even know you
had…I went in an actor and
came out an actor, director,
writer, producer and stage
manager. It was without
question the greatest four
years of my life.
Carl Gannon
B.A. in Theatre Studies, 2002
The Bachelor of Arts degree
in Theatre Studies allows
students to pair their interest
in theatre with a traditional
liberal arts education. With a
comprehensive curriculum
examining all aspects of
theatre, students receive
a thorough grounding in
theatre history, theory and
process. In addition to a
core unit of theatre courses,
students choose one of four
concentrations:
• Performance
• Production
• Theatre Management
• Theatre and Society
The scope of the Theatre
Studies program gives
students the opportunity
to explore the wide range
of creative and career
possibilities offered by the
performing arts.
Minor in Theatre
Students majoring in other
academic disciplines are able
to minor in theatre.
• Theatre and Social Change
• Theatre Management
• Theatre Sound
• Lighting Design
and Technology
• Scene Design
• Scenic Technology
• Costume Design and
Technology
your role
for a
lifetime
GRADUATE
TRAINING
TAKE YOUR
PASSION FARTHER
Master of
Fine Arts in Acting
The MFA program at Kent
gave me the extra tools
and confidence I needed
to advance my skill set as
a musical theatre
performer. I was
able to intensely
study acting while
maintaining my studies in
singing and dancing.
James Lynch
M.F.A. in Acting, 2012
Actor in New York City
The graduate program in
acting is an intensive course
of study designed to train
talented and dedicated
students as artists and
masters of their craft. With a
primary curriculum founded
in the acting, voice and
movement techniques
of Stanislavski, Linklater,
Rodenburg, Laban and
Alexander, the program is
supported by studies in theatre
history, drama and acting for
the camera. An audition is
required for admission into the
graduate program in acting.
Master of
Fine Arts in Acting
for the Returning
Professional
The graduate program
in acting for returning
professionals strives to
prepare those with extensive
acting experience for other
careers in the field and to
enrich and expand their
understanding of theatre.
Students have the opportunity
to teach, both in the classroom
and through participation
in productions, as well as
draw on their professional
experiences and conduct
original research. An audition
is required for admission.
Master of
Fine Arts in Design
and Technology
Students enrolled in the
graduate programs for design
and technology pursue a
core curriculum founded in
the traditional and current
techniques, technologies
and styles of design. Classes,
production experiences and
internships in their specific
concentrations prepare
students for careers in
professional performing arts
and entertainment venues.
Submission of an entrance
portfolio is required for
admission into the design
and technology graduate
programs.
The Master of Fine Arts in
Design and Technology offers
programs in:
• Costume Design
• Lighting Design
• Scenic Design
• Theatre Technology
take your
passion
farther
ALUMNI
Attending the School of Theatre and Dance
means joining a professional family of experienced
and dedicated faculty, alumni and friends who are
leaders in the arts and entertainment industries.
Our alumni are powerful resources and include
regionally and nationally recognized actors and
designers such as SAG-AFTRA president
Ken Howard, Tony Award-winner Alice Ripley,
Rioult NY dancer Sabatino Verlezza, Hart of Dixie
actress Kaitlyn Black and ABC’s Scandal
key costumer Kristine Haag.
Alice Ripley, ‘85
2009 Tony Award-winner,
Next to Normal
Jeff Richmond, ‘85
Composer, Producer and
Director
NBC’s 30 Rock;
Feature film Baby Mama
John de Lancie, ‘71
Actor, Director and Voice Artist
Frequent Star Trek guest star
as “Q”
Alumni of the School of Theatre and
Dance have appeared and worked:
ABC’s Scandal
Air Dance Bernasconi
AMC’s Mad Men
Blue Man Group
Bosma Dance
Broadway’s The Book of Mormon
Broadway’s Hair
Broadway’s Legally Blonde
The Musical
Broadway’s Les Miserables
Broadway’s Next to Normal
Broadway’s Side Show
Broadway’s Sunset Boulevard
Broadway’s Spiderman:
Turn Off the Dark
Carnival Cruise Line
CBS’s The Good Wife
CBS’ How I Met Your Mother
CBS’s Mom
Cirque du Soleil
Cleveland Play House
The CW’s The Carrie Diaries
The CW’s Hart of Dixie
Ray Wise, ‘69
Actor
Twin Peaks; How I Met Your
Mother
Dancin’ Unlimited
DragonFly Dance Experiment
Focus Features’
That Awkward Moment
Fox’s 24
Fox’s New Girl
HBO’s Big Love
HBO’s True Blood
Great Lakes Theater Festival
The Jim Henson Company
Kennedy Center for
the Performing Arts
NBC’s 30 Rock
NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice
Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More NYC
Rioult Dance NY
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
USA’s Royal Pains
Utah Shakespearean Festival
Walt Disney Pictures’ Tron: Legacy
Warner Bros.’ American Sniper
Warner Bros.’ Batman v.
Superman: Dawn of Justice
Sabatino A. Verlezza,
‘12
Dancer
RIOULT Dance NY
Photo credit: Sofia Negron
Guest Artists
Students in the School of Theatre and Dance regularly interact
with a network of professional visiting artists who have worked
in regional and national theatrical venues, in higher education,
and in film and television. Currently, the school has three different
endowed guest-artist series:
The Roe Green Visiting Director Series
The William H. Zucchero Guest Artist Series
The Armstrong Family Visiting Artist Series
Recent guest artists include:
John Cameron, Director
Kathleen Conlin, Director
Ami Dayan, Playwright/Director
Joseph Hanreddy, Playwright/Director
Barry Keating, Broadway Composer
The Limón Dance Company
Christopher K. Morgan, Choreographer/Dancer
Everett Quinton, Actor/Director
Alice Ripley, Broadway Actress
Sue Ott Rowlins, Director
Michael Rupert, Broadway Actor
Jeffrey Saver, Broadway Music Director
Stephen Schwartz, Broadway Composer
Billy Seigenfeld, Jump Rhythm Jazz, Chicago
J.R. Sullivan, Director, Playwright
Ben Vereen, Actor/Dancer/Singer
John Moauro, ‘07
Actor and Director
Cast Member of 2009 Tony
Award-winning revival of Hair
Kristine Haag, ‘03
Key Costumer
ABC’s Scandal
FACILITIES
The School of Theatre and Dance is
housed in the Center for the Performing
Arts, a building that includes the
Roe Green Center for the
School of Theatre and Dance.
The school has three
onsite performance spaces:
E. Turner Stump Theatre
A continental-style, 500-seat proscenium theatre, it features a large, trapped
stage, fly system and orchestra pit.
Wright-Curtis Theatre
With moveable seating for 175 to 250, flexible traps and a catwalk system, this
theatre can be used in thrust and arena configurations.
Erdmann-Zucchero Black Box Theatre
The versatile Black Box Theatre serves as a multipurpose classroom, rehearsal
and performance space throughout the academic year and has flexible seating
for up to 200.
Porthouse Theatre
Located on the grounds of nearby Blossom Music Center, this outdoor thruststyle theatre is housed in a covered pavilion and seats 500.
Learning and Design Spaces
Acting Studios
Costume Shop
Costume Lab
Computer Lab
Dance Studios
and Rehabilitation Studio
Design Studio
Dressing Rooms
Lighting Lab
Performing Arts Library
Props and Crafts Lab
Scene Shop
Scenery Construction Lab
Welding Lab
Contact Us
School of Theatre and Dance
B-141
Center for the Performing Arts
1325 Theatre Drive
Kent, OH 44242-0001
330-672-2082
WWW.KENT.EDU/THEATREDANCE