A WELCOME MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR WELCOME PROFESSOR MATTHEW W. SMITH
COURSES OFFERED We offer classes in everything from social dance and costume design to acting and performance theory STUDENTS ENROLLED Thousands of students of all experience levels enroll in our TAPS courses every year DEPARTMENT EVENTS We produce productions, workshops, master classes, guest lectures, and social events STUDENTS INVOLVED IN PRODUCTIONS Students of all majors perform, direct, build sets and costumes, stage manage, and more TAPS BY THE NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
BACHELOR'S PROGRAM MISSION academic program The mission of the undergraduate program in Theater and Performance Studies is to provide a strong, non-conservatory program that joins the study and practice of performance within the context of a liberal arts curriculum.
THEATER-MAKING This concentration develops students' creative skills in theater-making. The theater-making concentration reflects the collaborative interdisciplinary nature of theater practice, with rich partnerships and dialogues between the crafts of directing, playwriting, producing, design and stagecraft. Students learn skills to build original theater productions. ACTING The Acting concentration develops students’ skills in acting for the theater and related performance contexts. In practicum classes, students enhance their creative abilities under the guidance of teaching artists. Students also complete complementary coursework in performance studies. DANCE The Dance concentration offers diverse approaches to dance as a performing art, cultural practice, political act, and embodiment of ideology and beliefs. The program integrates academic and creative studio work to help students develop a command of dance as an art form and as a subject of critical inquiry. AREAS OF STUDY CONCENTRATIONS All TAPS majors select a concentration in Acting or Theater-Making. Minors may also choose to concentrate in Dance. SEE COURSE OFFERINGS
PERFORM All students are encouraged to audition regardless of experience! AUDITIONS BUILD + TECH WORK Get paid to learn technical theater or how to build sets and costumes STUDENT WORK TAKE A CLASS Learn to do improv, choreograph, produce a production, and more FALL COURSES BEHIND THE SCENES Design sets, costumes, lights, or sound, or work in critical backstage roles DESIGN + CREW GET INVOLVED WAYS FOR YOU TO
2019/2020 2018/2019 2017/2018 ANNUAL NEWSLETTERS STUDENT VOICES For an in-depth look at what we do, browse our recent newsletters containing student reflections on their experiences with TAPS productions, academic scholarship, events, and more.
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK EXPLORE OUR PRODUCTION WORK TAPS produces six main season productions directed by faculty and guest artists, and fully produced with the help of our production staff and professional designers. We also support a number of student-led performance works. Hundreds of students work on our productions each year as performers, designers, technical staff, crew, costume and set builders, and more! Paid positions and academic credit are available. Opportunities are posted on our website under "Get Involved!"
Don't want to miss a thing? Join our email list for weekly emails listing upcoming events, auditions, and opportunities. GET ON THE LIST! NEXT STEPS STAY CONNECTED Connect with us! TAPS has an active social media presence and we want YOU to be part of it! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or check out our Vimeo account for regularly updated content including student interviews, production trailers, production team roundtables, faculty interviews, and more!
FEATURED VIDEOS CONNECT!
WHAT WE DO | Getting Involved
BEHIND THE SCENES
DANCE | AMBER LEVINE
TAPS CONCENTRATION
HOW TO AUDITION FOR A TAPS SHOW
BACKSTAGE WITH BRENNA
YOUNG JEAN LEE
MEET THE FACULTY
REVIVAL BY AMARA TABOR-SMITH
MAIN STAGE TRAILER
SPECIAL EFFECTS | "EVERYBODY"
BEHIND THE SCENES
