About the Theatre and Dance program

Dance and theatre have a long and rich history at the University of Nevada, Reno flourishing into the department it is today by offering dance, musical theatre and theatre programming and events.

Our mission statement

We are committed to the multidisciplinary nature of theatre and dance through rigorous study – from historical legacies to contemporary challenges, and global traditions to individual identity – which fosters growth and prepares students for professional opportunities, supports faculty as artists and scholars and actively engages audiences.

Our core values and guiding principles

We are guided by our core values and principles: equity, collaboration, professionalism, creativity and community.

Equity

We are committed to treating each other and our students with respect by fostering a community of support.

We honor individual and diverse voices with equal merit and value.

Collaboration

We strive to establish a collaborative environment fusing different creative visions and discovering paths to innovation through the integration of group ideas.

We are dedicated to modeling creative, artistic and professional practices that originate out of the spirit of collaboration for and with our students and colleagues.

Professionalism

In practice and in scholarship, we guide students in linking educational experiences to professional pursuits.

We aim to model professional standards and familiarize students with relevant, safe and sustainable practices.

Creativity

We promote creativity by fostering an environment that encourages risk-taking, artistic self-expression, discipline and critical thinking.

We inspire educational and civic exploration of new ideas to generate understanding of ourselves and others through innovative production and classroom experiences of the highest possible quality.

Community

Through diverse, artistic and educational programming, we aim to cultivate a dynamic sense of community that serves the local and regional populations.

We strive to engage resources from the community and outside artists to create connections that fuel our research and creative activities, contributing to the growth and success of our teaching and artistry.

Our programs and facilities

Two dancers lean back with arms in the air during recital

Dance

The dance program offers students opportunities to study all levels of ballet, modern and jazz dance techniques with additional coursework in choreography, dance improvisation, dance history and theory, teaching methods, theatre production, performance and professional foundations. There are two fully produced main stage dance concerts per year, with additional informal performance opportunities each semester. The dance program hosts annual guest artist residencies with master classes and setting of professional repertory choreography on students. Additionally, students have the opportunity to choreograph for the annual Fall Dance Festival and travel biannually to the American College Dance Association regional festival.

Degrees in dance
people acting on stage illuminated by lights

Musical Theatre

The musical theatre program is an interdisciplinary program offered through the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Department of Music. The Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre is a highly competitive program which allows students to rigorously engage the physical practices of acting, voice and dance training while simultaneously developing a deep understanding of the historical, cultural and performative evolution that underpins the field. Students are offered a comprehensive curriculum with courses in theatre, music and dance to provide them with the training and skills necessary to meet the demands of a challenging career. In addition to course work, students have a variety of performance opportunities each year. Admission to the B.A. in Musical Theatre is by audition only.

Degree in musical theatre
three women on stage dancing

Theatre

The theatre program selects a variety of productions, genres and styles that provide critical on-stage experience for undergraduate students. In addition, its productions serve as important components of the Reno cultural scene by providing high-quality theatre experiences. The production schedule is used to train artists, provoke critical thinking and entertain audiences.

Degrees in theatre

Facilities

The Department of Theatre and Dance perform in three main venues, while a number of other facilities are available for rehearsal or smaller events.

mixing board with dancers on stage in background
  • Redfield Proscenium Theatre: The house features 260 seats in a continental arrangement with several removable seats for wheelchair access.
  • Redfield Studio Theatre: A multi-configuration black box with seating for up to 162.
  • Dance Theatre: Located in the Lombardi Recreation Center, this is a black box theatre space that seats 80.
  • Other facilities: Includes the state-of-the-art lighting lab, which is 900 square feet of dedicated space for the instruction of stage lighting design. The Lombardi Recreation Building has newly renovated class and rehearsal spaces including five dance studios and musical theatre and theatre studios. The Virginia Street Gym has an additional musical theatre studio.