Theatre & Dance Program
Inspire creativity and social engagement through our vibrant theatre and dance program. You’ll develop highly transferable analytical, communication, technical, and organizational skills as you engage in our hands-on productions each semester.
UM-Flint’s Theatre & Dance faculty foster an engaging learning environment that prepares you for artistic and community leadership.
- Cultivate core technical skills and creative expression through rigorous coursework, hands-on experiences, and diverse performance opportunities
- Enhance and hone your collaboration skills, focusing on empathy and service
- Develop a lifelong practice of reflecting and shaping social values, enabling you to be informed and active members of your community
Core Competencies
Through intellectual inquiry, imaginative daring, intensive training, social awareness, and practical experience, you’ll stand ready to assume responsibility in the community and excel as courageous artists, flexible workers, and compassionate citizens.
Theatre & Dance students graduate with exceptional skills in problem-solving, public speaking, collaboration, and project management, working under pressure to meet deadlines, and much more.
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Why study Theatre & Dance at UM-Flint?
Gain real-world experience
Through our local partnerships, participation in regional and national festivals, and the production of several performances each academic year, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience.
Learn from practicing professionals
Our Theatre & Dance faculty and staff work in regional theatre, leading community productions, guiding set and costume design, and much more. Connect with local organizations and resources.
Complement your focus with select minors
Minors are a way to enhance your learning by allowing you to focus on specific skills within your core program. Select from:
Free Tuition with the Go Blue Guarantee!
UM-Flint students are automatically considered for the Go Blue Guarantee upon admission, a historic program offering free tuition for high-achieving, in-state undergraduates from lower-income households. Learn more about the Go Blue Guarantee to see if you qualify and how affordable a Michigan degree can be.
Explore our Bachelor’s Degrees in Theatre
UM-Flint offers three different bachelor’s degree programs.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre
The BFA in Theatre prepares you for a dedicated career in the performing arts. This pre-professional program focuses on the demands of a life in the theatre.
Bachelor of Science in Theatre Design & Technology
Glean skills and knowledge across theatre productions: costumes, scenic, lighting, sound & stage management,
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
Our most flexible degree path allows you to customize your learning with complementary skills in dance, musical theatre, and more.
Theatre & Dance Showcase
Exit, Pursued by a Bear
In November 2024, UM-Flint produced this dark comedy, exploring both trauma and liberation.
Sharing Our Stories Through Dance
Dance instructor Emma Davis spent a year developing a collaborative dance, featuring contributions from UM-Flint faculty and students, Detroit Dance Collective, and local incarcerated youth.
Career Opportunities
The skills and abilities you’ll develop during your coursework in Theatre & Dance will serve as the building blocks for an array of occupations and career paths.
Your theatre degree can easily translate into successful positions in business, government, educational institutions, non-profit agencies, or arts-related organizations. Here are a few of the professional roles performed by our distinguished alumni.
- Actor/Actress
- Arts Council Director
- Arts Administration
- Carpenter
- Choreographer/Stunt Coordinator
- Community Arts Center Director
- Designer (Scene, Costume, Lighting, Sound, etc.)
- Director
- Entrepeneurs/Small Business Owners
- Managing Director
- Marketing & Communications
- Playwright/Screenwriter
- Producer
- Production Support Services
- Publicist/Public Relations
- ….and many more!
Admission Requirements
Whether you’re a first-year student or a transfer student, we aim to keep the admissions process simple, saving you time and money. We accept applications on a rolling basis; however, we recommend submitting all application materials at least 1 month before you plan to start your first semester. Review our academic calendars to learn more.
When applying to UM-Flint’s Theatre & Dance program, please submit the following:
- A completed online or paper application
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
- Review UM-Flint’s complete undergraduate admission requirements.
Have questions about our admissions requirements or application process? Please contact our Office of Undergraduate Admissions at admissions.flint@umich.edu for more detailed information.
Academic Advisor
Scholarships for Theatre & Dance students
UM-Flint provides many scholarships for theatre and dance students. They include:
- Carl and Sarah Morgan Theatre Fund
- Carolyn M Gillespie Fund for Theatre and Dance
- Stephen Landon Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund
- Ralph M. and Emmalyn E. Freeman Theatre Scholarship
- Kay Sampson Kelly Theatre Merit Scholarship Fund
- UM-Flint Theatre and Dance Friends Scholarship
- Brian K. McDonald Scholarship Fund
- Shakespeare Club of Flint Scholarship Fund
- Jeffrey F Garfield Scholarship Fund
Our Office of Financial Aid also offers a variety of other scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. They’re all part of our effort to make your world-class University of Michigan-Flint education affordable.