Theatre and Dance

College of Arts and Letters

Program Description

The California State University, Sacramento Department of Theatre and Dance fosters student-learning to advance critically-thinking, creative and collaborative artists. It provides a broad and thorough foundation of the history, theory, literature and the practice of theatre and dance to students who wish to pursue post graduate studies or join the profession. The Department of Theatre and Dance offers an imaginative and ambitious program of historical and contextual studies supported by studio and production work. Our mission challenges students to be independent thinkers. Our department provides a collaborative, artistic environment that reflects a richly complex and diverse global perspective complemented by national and international faculty and staff experience.

Degree Programs

BA in Dance

BA in Theatre

Minor in Dance

Minor in Musical Theatre

Minor in Theatre

Theatre

Majors in the Theatre program receive in-depth training in acting, voice, movement, audition technique, design, history, literature, criticism, multicultural theatre, musical theatre, puppetry, and film studies.

Accreditation

In addition to California State University, Sacramento's full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

Notice to Students RE: Professional Licensure and Certification

California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student for California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.

The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether, if they complete a California State University program, they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).

Special Features

  • Academic offerings include an excellent program of performance opportunities. Each year we offer four to six faculty-directed productions and a varied selection of additional productions including student-directed one-acts, recruitment shows, and community outreach performances. Students are also offered production assignments as stage managers, designers and technicians, all of which enhance the range of theatrical knowledge and experience.
  • Included are African American and Chicano/Latino Theatre productions that make this program unique in the State University System.
  • In addition to the performance and technical components, Sacramento State’s Theatre program provides organizations that encompass social, academic and professional opportunities, both on campus and in the community.
  • The Theatre program participates annually in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).

Dance

Majors in the Dance program receive training in dance technique, performance, production, choreography, theory, dance history, and dance education.

The comprehensive Dance program starts with the basic principles of dance technique and refines them through choreographic and theoretic processes, culminating in the creation of full-scale concert productions. Students in the program are involved at every level of the creative process.

Special Features

  • Dance majors have the opportunity to participate as members of several dance companies and organizations. Company members are involved in all aspects of producing and presenting dance, from creating and performing choreography to designing and implementing the production and promotional aspects of the concerts.
  • Dance majors are given the opportunity to work with professional dance artists. Each year, at least one regional professional dance artist is in residence, and the program invites nationally acclaimed guest artists to teach master classes and choreograph.
  • The Dance program participates annually in the American College Dance Association (ACDA) conference and the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) conference.

Career Possibilities

Actor · Choreographer · Dancer · Director · Scenographer · Lighting Designer · Scenic Designer · Puppeteer · Theatre Manager · Critic · Announcer/Narrator · Sound/Light Technician · Scenic Artist · Propmaster · Educator (Instructor/Teacher/Professor) · Stage and Production Manager

Contact Information

Lorelei Bayne, Department Chair
Michelle Felten, Department Vice-Chair
Carol Wang, Academic Support Coordinator II
Shasta Hall 104
(916) 278-6368
Department of Theatre & Dance Website

Faculty

BAYNE, LORELEI

BROWN, BERNARD

BRUNSVOLD-MERCEDES, MEGAN

FELTEN, MICHELLE

FLICKINGER, PHILIP

FORBES-ERICKSON, AMY-ROSE

WILSON, MELINDA D.