Prospective Students

Rich Curriculum

Our program educates students in the contemporary practice of theatre and dance through a liberal arts curriculum. Accredited by the National Association of Schools and Theatre, the Department provides a broad-based education that uniquely integrates theatre and dance to develop versatile theatre artists. There are two Bachelor of Arts degree programs: Theatre for those interested in performing, teaching, directing or other backstage work and Child Drama for those interested in creating theatre for the young people. Students can also choose a minor in Theatre or Dance or a concentration in Dance.

Numerous Performance Opportunities

Starting as freshmen, theatre and dance majors can participate in numerous performance opportunities on campus, ranging from full-scale main stage shows to classroom showcases and student-directed workshops. The Department produces four main stage productions, including contemporary and classical plays, musical theatre, and cutting-edge dance productions.  Student clubs such as Campus Players, Dance Extenstions, Lab Theatre, and the Rowan University Musical Theatre Company present several faculty and student directed productions as well.  Classes such as Acting II, Directing I and Choreography present additional public showcases of student performances.  All of our students perform and crew in a variety of venues such as the 900 Pfleeger Concert Hall, the 450 seat Tohill Theatre, Black Box theatres, and intimate dance studios. Our productions consistently win awards from the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival (Spring Awakening - National Festival Finalist, 2008; Our Country's Good - Ensemble Acting Award, 2009; The Gathering, 2003).

Acclaimed Faculty Artists & Mentors

Rowan Theatre & Dance faculty members are not only master teachers but also practicing professional artists who serve as your link to the professional work of theatre and dance.  Faculty members include renowned artistic directors of theatre and dance companies in Philadelphia, PA; Off Broadway directors and designers in New York City; and world-class scholars --all with professional networks in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Belfast, Ireland, and Edinburgh, Scotland.

- Professors Melanie Stewart has performed and produced at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland and served as the Artistic Director of Melanie Stewart Dance Theatre and the nEW Festival in Philadelphia.

- Emeritus Professor Joe Robinette's plays (Charlotte's Web, The Fabulous Fable Factory) have been performed in all 50 states and many foreign countries.

- Professor Liz Hostetter recently published the book The Berlin State Theatre Under the Nazi Regime and has presented extensively across the United States and Europe.

- Professor David Sullivan recently directed the Off-Broadway premieres of The Atheist, Swansong, and The Blowin of Baile Gall for leading theatres in New York City.

Master Classes with Visiting Artists & Professionals

Several times a year, the department invites visiting artists to teach master classes or stage original productions. This gives students the opportunity to:

- Learn to fake a punch from Charles Currier, the fight choreographer who staged battle scenes for the Oliver Stone film Alexander.

- Perform in an original production created by Obie award winning New York City International Fringe Festival founder, writer and director John Clancy.

- Participate in a mock casting session with New York casting director Ted Sluberski as part of our Professional Workshop Series.

- Dance in an original show by Irish writer/director Michael Duke, Artistic Director of Tinderbox Theatre Company in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

- Create a fresh new production of Twelfth Night with Scottish Director Peter Clerke.

- Discuss new plays and trends in American Theatre with Tony-nominated playwright Lee Blessing.

Student Achievements

- Kevin Melendez '10 was cast in the Equity production of Jekyll & Hyde at the Westchester, NY Broadway Theatre directed by Robert Cuccioli.  Kevin was also selected for representation by About Artists Agency, a leading casting agency in NYC.

- Andrew Clotworthy '10 appeared in the production of Marat/Sade for Ego Po Productions in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, 2010.

- Sean Murphy '07, (Toms River), has served as the Marketing Associate of the Two River Theatre Company in Red Bank, NJ from 2007-2010.  He is currently the Guest Services Manager for the Discovery Times Square Museum in NYC.

- Joanna Congalton '07, (Ridgefield), wrote a series of monologues that will be published by Dramatic Publishing.

- Amanda Coppola '05, (Sewell), Sara Biddle '05, (Salem), Stephanie Garland '05, (Somerdale) and Deborah Morford '05, (Runnemede) received a grant to create original choreography for the American College Dance Festival.

- Chris Legentil '05, (Washington Township) appeared on Good Morning America with the Broadway Cast of Rent.

- Joshua Totora '05, (Hammonton), won the Best Classical Acting Award out of sixteen finalists at the Kennedy Center's Regional American College Theatre Festival.

Grad Schools

Here is a sample of the schools our recent graduates have entered:
  - Rutgers University, Ph.D. program

  - Columbia University
  - Pennsylvania State University
  - Northern Illinois University
  - New York University
  - Temple University

Admission Requirements

The Department of Theatre and Dance targets students with a strong college prep curriculum and practical experiences in theatre and dance with high school or community groups. Admission to the department requires an audition and an on-campus interview. For more information, please call Carmella Conn at 856-256-4030.

Career Opportunities

Opportunities abound for students with a degree in Theatre and Dance. In addition to performing, teaching, directing and other backstage work, graduates are also working as:

  - Theatre producers
  - Television/film directors
  - Entrepreneurs
  - Marketing directors
  - Journalists
  - Arts Administrators

Achieving Alumni

Rowan Theatre and Dance majors are currently working for a variety of organizations nationwide including:

American Idol
Arden Theatre
Cherry Hill High School

Discovery Museum, NYC

Irish Arts Center, NYC
James Madison University
Kennedy Center's American College Theatre Festival
Montclair State University
Oakcrest High School
Quincy Broadcasting
QVC
Radio City Rockettes
Ritz Theatre
TNT Television Network

Two River Theatre Company
United Airlines
University of Windsor, Ontario

Cross-Discipline Training

The arts and entertainment industry is very competitive so it helps to acquire as many skills as you can. We encourage our majors to use all of the resources the university has to offer. Here is an example of what you can do to enhance your education:

- Join an interdisciplinary team of artists (theatre, dance, visual art, music, and film) to create new work for an emerging artists' Incubator series.

- Collaborate with music majors on an original score for your choreography.

- Produce an original film or video with radio/tv/film majors in Cinema Workshop.

- Perform in college-wide arts collaborations, such as 2006's Carmina Burana, with the departments of theatre and dance, music, and visual arts and film.

Dynamic Experience

Rowan's Department of Theatre and Dance showcases new and experimental work that challenges the mind, invigorates the body, and excites the spirit of theatre artists.