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Theatre & Dance: Inspiring Creativity and Social Engagement
Theatre & Dance at the University of Michigan-Flint fosters a vibrant learning environment, blending intensive training with social awareness. Our programs prepare students for artistic and community leadership, valuing collaboration, empathy, and service. Through rigorous coursework, hands-on experiences, and diverse performance opportunities, students cultivate technical skills and creative expression. Our faculty, comprised of industry professionals and scholars, provides personalized mentorship, guiding students to discover their unique artistic voices.
We emphasize the role of theatre and dance in reflecting and shaping societal values, encouraging students to engage with contemporary issues and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Additionally, our partnerships with local organizations and participation in regional and national festivals offer students practical experience and professional networking opportunities, equipping them for successful careers in the performing arts.
Theatre Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre
This is our most flexible degree, as you can choose different tracks: performance, musical theatre, literature & history, or the broad general track, where you can devise your course of study and mix-and-match courses across design, technology and performance.
Bachelor of Science in Theatre Design & Technology
This flexible program allows you to glean skills and knowledge across theatre production: costumes, scenic, lighting, sound, & stage management. Many classes are hands-on studio-style, meaning you’ll dig right into props, carpentry, sewing, hanging lights, and managing rehearsals. You’ll also take classes in design theory that allow you to study plays and learn how to create a three-dimensional world for the characters.
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
This is our most flexible degree, as you can choose different tracks: performance, musical theatre, literature & history, or the broad general track, where you can devise your own course of study and mix-and-match courses across design, technology and performance.
Minors in Theatre & Dance
The Theatre & Dance Department at UM-Flint offers dynamic minors in Dance, Musical Theatre, and Theatre, providing students with a comprehensive and immersive education in performing arts. Each minor is designed to enhance students’ creativity, discipline, and passion, preparing them for a range of professional opportunities in the performing arts industry.
Scholarships
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.
Academic Advising for Theatre Students
At the UM-Flint, we are proud to have many dedicated advisors who are the experts students can rely upon to guide their educational journey. Explore all the possible pathways for your future with Therasa Martin, the dedicated academic advisor for Theatre majors. You can contact her at tsimpson@umich.edu or 810-424-5496.
Career Opportunities
The skills and abilities developed through your coursework in theatre and dance serve as the building blocks for a wide range of occupations and career paths. It is important to realize that the activities represented by these job titles might be found in business, government, educational institutions, non-profit agencies, or arts-related businesses. These job titles are examples of some of how theatre and dance students have applied their skills and abilities. In general, an advanced degree is required for those occupations marked with an asterisk (*) on the list that follows:
- Actor/Actress
- Choreographer/Stunt Coordinator
- Playwright/Screenwriter
- Production Support Services
- Carpenter
- *Arts Council Director
- *Arts Administration
- Director/Producer
- *Theatre Librarian
- Theatre Teacher
- Designer
- Scenic, Costume, Lighting, Sound, etc.
- *Community Arts Center Director
- Marketing Positions
- Theatre Teacher
- *Managing Director Publicist/Public Relations
- And more!
Courageous – Flexible – Compassionate
The central focus of Theatre & Dance at the University of Michigan- Flint is to provide our students with a challenging educational environment and richly diverse learning experiences. We strive to provide students with opportunities to work alongside professionals on and off the stage. We are committed to providing our students with the necessary artistic and personal tools to meet the demands of an ever-evolving world and profession.
Through intellectual inquiry, imaginative daring, intensive training, social awareness, and practical experience, our students stand ready to assume responsibility in the community and excel as courageous artists, flexible workers, and compassionate citizens.
We value collaboration, responsibility, balance, empathy, and service.
Skills Applied
The study of theatre and dance equips a student with a broad range of communication and organizational skills applicable to many careers, including those in the performing arts. A theatre and dance student’s presentation skills, ability to perform in public, and control of the voice and body provide a solid basis for working effectively with others.
Theatre and dance also develop the ability to concentrate intensely, listen introspectively, observe keenly, solve problems creatively, think critically, develop a project collaboratively, work independently, work under pressure, meet deadlines, and maintain composure when faced with the unexpected. Well-developed communication skills enable graduates to contribute and to succeed in many professions. A sample of representative skills and abilities follows:
Analysis
- Problem-solving
- Understanding ideas within historical/social context
- Comparing and contrasting ideas/information
Artistic/Technical
- Explaining concepts
- Sound, lighting, costuming, makeup, and design techniques
- Good health, stamina, and body coordination
Communication
- Public speaking
- Speaking articulately and listening introspectively
- Voice control/modulation
- Body language
Organization
- Self-discipline
- Interacting and collaborating with colleagues in a team setting
- Ability to maintain composure when faced with the unexpected (improvisation)
2026-27 Season Performances
The University of Michigan-Flint’s Theatre & Dance Department is thrilled to announce an inspiring and imaginative lineup of performances for the 2026–27 academic year! Our talented students and dedicated faculty have crafted a season that promises to captivate audiences, foster creativity, and showcase the breadth of talent within our community.
Join us for an unforgettable season come support the next generation of artists and experience the magic of live performance in Flint!
Want to stay up to date on all of our upcoming theatre performances?
Sign up for our Community Events email list.
Twelfth Night
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Janet Haley
- October 31, November 1 and 2, 2025
- November 7, 8, 9, 2025
- Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.
After the twins Sebastian and Viola survive a shipwreck, neither knows that the other is alive. Viola goes into service with Duke Orsino of Illyria, disguised as a young man, “Cesario.” Orsino sends Cesario to woo the Countess Olivia on his behalf, but Olivia falls in love with Cesario. Viola, in the meantime, has fallen in love with Orsino.
In the meantime, twin Sebastian has been rescued by a sea captain, Antonio, [and disappears into Ilyria…]
At the estate of Countess Olivia, Lady Toby Belch, Olivia’s kinswoman, has brought in Sir Andrew Aguecheek to be Olivia’s suitor. A confrontation between Malvolio, Olivia’s steward-estate manager, and the partying Lady Toby & Co. leads to a revenge plot against Malvolio, who is then tricked into making a fool of himself, and locked in a dungeon as a lunatic.
When Viola, as Cesario, is challenged to a duel, Antonio mistakes her for Sebastian, comes to her aid, and is arrested. Sebastian the twin is discovered…Olivia mistakes Sebastian for Cesario and declares her love [and Sebastian is immediately enchanted by Olivia but knows nothing of his twin Viola/Cesario]. When, finally, Sebastian and Viola appear together, the puzzles around the mistaken identities are solved: Cesario is revealed as Viola, Orsino asks for Viola’s hand, Sebastian will wed Olivia, and Viola will marry Duke Orsino. Malvolio, blaming Olivia and others for his humiliation, vows revenge.
Lucky Stiff
A co-production with The Flint Repertory Theatre
Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Directed by Stephanie Dean
- March 20, 7:30 p.m.
- March 21, 7:30 p.m.
- March 22, 2 p.m. (ASL Interpreted Performance)
- March 26, 10 a.m. (K-12 Student Matinee)
- March 27, 7:30 p.m. (College Night)
- March 28, 7:30 p.m.
- March 29, 2 p.m.
- April 2, 7:30 p.m.
- April 3, 7:30 p.m.
- April 4, 2 p.m.
Run time is approximately 2 hours with a 10-minute intermission.
Join us for a hilarious musical farce!
Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit $6 million. He just needs to take his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo. Pass his uncle off as still living, and the money is his. Fail and his inheritance goes straight to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn … or else his uncle’s gun-toting ex! From the Tony Award-winning writing team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island, Anastasia), Lucky Stiff is an offbeat, hilarious murder mystery farce, complete with mistaken identities, six million bucks in diamonds and a corpse in a wheelchair.
Flint Repertory Theatre and UM-Flint’s Program of Theatre & Dance are combining forces for this first-ever co-production, featuring a cast composed of both professional and student actors along with a professional creative team of UM-Flint faculty and Flint Rep artists.
Flint Repertory Theatre and UM-Flint’s coproduction of Lucky Stiff contains mild language, dark humor, and veiled sexual innuendo.
Recommended for middle school students and up. Understanding that sensitivities vary from person to person, patrons are advised to contact the FIM Ticket Center at 810-237-7333 if you have any questions about program content.
Spring Dance Concert
Featuring works choreographed by UM-Flint faculty, students, and the 26-27 Flint Arist in Residence, Shanzell Page.
- April 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.
A Look Back: Recent Theatre & Dance Performances
UM-Flint Theatre & Dance Department has a proud history of presenting a dynamic range of performances that both challenge and delight audiences. From timeless classics to cutting-edge originals, these past shows reflect the department’s commitment to artistic excellence, community engagement, and providing enriching opportunities for students and audiences alike.
Get Started Today
At UM-Flint, we take pride in our team of dedicated advisors, who are experts committed to guiding students throughout their educational journey. Discover the numerous pathways available for your future with Theresa Martin, the devoted academic advisor for Theatre majors. She can be reached at tsimpson@umich.edu or 810-424-5496.