A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR We are entering an era in which artificial intelligence can generate and automate more than we ever imagined. But the qualities that will determine success remain unmistakably human, and they can’t be automated: presence, empathy, discernment, and the ability to move people and persuade a room. These are the very skills our students build every day, on stage and in the studio. In the Department of Theater and Dance, you will learn to read people, communicate under pressure, adapt in real time, and turn vulnerability into strength. You will learn to handle imperfection, recover, and grow — a rare and valuable form of resilience training. The performing arts have always trained people to lead with their humanity. In a world increasingly filled with machine outputs, this kind of training is more valuable and marketable than ever. We can’t wait to help you realize your potential as an artist, a communicator, and a leader.
DOUG BROWN Chair, Department of Theater and Dance Associate Professor of Theater dbrown@highpoint.edu 336.841.4525
A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Dance is an art you live and breathe — you can’t imagine life without it, and neither can I. Our program treats every student as an individual artist with a distinct voice and set of interests. Dance teaches us to be empathetic, collaborative, and creative, building the soft skills employers consistently seek. I want your college experience to center on what matters most to you. Our courses and experiential opportunities outside the classroom are designed to give you the flexibility to discover your artistic voice and shape a career path built on real options. Reach out anytime to talk about your goals, and whether our program is the right fit. I can’t wait to meet you!
LINDSEY HOWIE Director, Dance Program Assistant Professor of Dance lhowie@highpoint.edu 336.841.9439
DEVELOP THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO NAVIGATE TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE As artificial intelligence takes over routine technical tasks, the skills that set people apart are changing. You must be able to tell what is human and authentic from what is unoriginal or an imitation. You need to be able to recognize and produce a unique personal voice in writing and public speaking. You need exceptional ability to build relationships with other people. Theater and dance are intensive training grounds for these abilities.
OUR GRADUATES BUILD: • Communication — clear expression and public speaking • Emotional intelligence — reading people and responding with empathy • Adaptability — improvisation and quick thinking under pressure
• Resilience — being comfortable with failure as an intrinsic part of the path to success • Coachability — learning to take public feedback with grace and using it to improve
These skills open doors across the arts and beyond for actors, directors, choreographers, stage managers, arts administrators, and event planners. You will excel in public relations, politics, public service, business leadership, science or tech communication, entrepreneurship, and any other role that depends on working well with people.
B.A. THEATER High Point University’s Bachelor of Arts in Theater offers a comprehensive education across three areas of emphasis:
• Performance Acting techniques and stage experience • Musical Theater
Acting, singing, and dance training for the musical stage • Technical Theater
Scenic design, costume design, lighting, sound, and stage management Creativity | Communication | Teamwork | Problem-solving
VERSATILE CAREER PREPARATION FOR A CHANGING WORLD Combine your passion for theater or dance with another field of study to build a distinctive, marketable set of skills. Our flexible B.A. programs pair well with disciplines across business, communication, health, science, technology, and the arts. You can design your own personalized path that makes you uniquely qualified for today’s job market.
MARKETABLE PAIRINGS FOR DOUBLE MAJORS
Theater and Dance can be easily combined with a double major (or minor) in these fields & others:
Business Administration Entrepreneurship Advertising, PR & Strategic Communications Graphic Design Pop Culture & Media Production Journalism Sports Media Psychology Exercise Science Health & Wellness
Computer Science Political Science Marketing/Events Management English Hospitality Management Music Photography Creative Writing Fashion Merchandising Sociology
B.A. DANCE HPU’s dance program offers active, thought-provoking courses and abundant performance and choreography opportunities. Students receive a strong foundation in diverse dance areas guided by supportive faculty. The curriculum delves into dance as art, cultural expression, and a reflection of the human condition.
• Small class sizes • Personal mentorship • Guest artist master classes and workshops • Active production schedule for skill refinement
We emphasize leading from the HEART: H ands-on experience E mpathetic service A rtistic and personal growth R elationships with supportive mentors T eamwork and collaborative spirit
WHAT SETS US APART? SMALL CLASS SIZES & PERSONALIZED MENTORSHIP Our intimate class sizes ensure individualized instruction and close faculty-student relationships. You’ll receive one-on-one mentoring that helps you experiment, push outside your comfort zone, and develop your unique artistic voice in a supportive environment. PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS Learn directly from working professionals through our extensive guest artist program, featuring Broadway performers, Disney entertainers, and industry experts. Our alumni network includes graduates working at professional theater companies like the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Stagedoor Manor, Disney, Busch Gardens, and The Tanger Center. EXTENSIVE PERFORMANCE & DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES With six fully produced shows each year ranging from musicals to contemporary works, you’ll gain real-world experience through numerous opportunities to perform and design at a professional level. EARN WHILE YOU LEARN Gain hands-on experience and get paid through work-study positions in our technical theater shops.
CREATIVE ARTS FELLOWSHIP
A four-year, cohort-based program for arts majors who want to go deeper.
Be inspired by some of the best arts students in the university with this scholarship designed to create a vibrant, supportive group of creatives Community Journey through college with a close-knit peer group who share your passion for the arts Mentorship Personalized guidance from a dedicated faculty director Experiential Learning Networking trips and insights from working arts professionals Leadership Development Build a growth mindset and lasting professional connections Scholarship $3,000 award for Creative Arts Fellows
ALUMNI OUTCOMES We are proud of our many successful alumni in a wide variety of career fields. Highlighted here are seven graduates who have excelled in the arts and entertainment industries. Our alumni have built careers as stage managers, directors, heads of dance companies, performers, lighting and video supervisors, set designers, producers, and marketing/sales professionals. READY TO DESIGN YOUR OWN FUTURE?
Chat with our faculty to create your academic roadmap.
COURTNEY FEIMAN | Performance Theater & Music, ‘14 Freelance Audiobook Narrator, Actor, & Singer
LAUREN ENGLER | Performance Theater & Visual Arts, ‘14 Production Manager, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company
VICTORIA MARSHALL | Technical Theater, ‘18 Production Stage Manager, Jean’s Playhouse
GRACE ANN LETZINGER | Business Admin & Dance, ‘21 Regional Director, Little People’s Creative Workshop & Company Manager, RPM Dance PM Dance
ALEX GRISWOLD | Dance, ‘22
Creative Arts Director, Salvation Army of Texas
ELIZABETH SCHROEDER | Sports Management & Dance, ‘23 Inside Sales Consultant, Charlotte Hornets
MADELYN MUDD | Theater & Strategic Communication, ‘24 Marketing Coordinator, Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
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