Dance students perform during spring rehearsal

Department of Theatre and Dance

The Theatre and Dance Department is a training program that focuses on the professional skills expected on any stage, set, studio, audition or in any dance company. We offer a BFA with concentrations in in Acting, Dance, Design, Musical Theatre, and Stage Management as well as a BA with concentrations in in Theatre, and Dance.

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Department of Theatre and Dance

APSU’s Theatre and Dance Department fosters artists, scholars and professionals who positively impact our world. We provide a creative environment in which we educate and prepare students for the professional worlds of Theatre and Dance.

Students progress through a rigorous training program that incorporates both practice and scholarship.
We support student’s creative, performance, and scholarly aptitudes through exposure to expansive practical and philosophical approaches to dance and theatre studies.
We advance critical thought processes by stressing the theoretical, pedagogical, and historical aspects of theatre and dance studies.
We nurture and inspire excellence in student achievement.
We cultivate engaged industry professionals who strive to represent the changes the industry requires.

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How Do I Get Started?

Admission is via audition and/or portfolio review and interview. Begin the application process now by setting up an audition date.

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5

Shows per season

3

Performance Spaces

16

Maximum Class Size

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Current Mainstage Season

Current Student Season

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APSU's College of Arts & Letters announces 2024-2025 Distinguished Alumni

Six accomplished alumni - Scotty Peek, Dr. Thomas Murphy, Jim Thweatt, Dr. Mike Gotcher, Dr. Rich Ripani, and Drew McCollum - have been recognized for their professional achievements and contributions to their fields.

gotcher-theatre-ribbon-cutting

Austin Peay State University dedicates Sara and Mike Gotcher Theatre

The university has also established two new professorships supporting arts education: the Dr. Mike Gotcher Communications Professorship and the Dr. Sara Gotcher Theatre and Dance Professorship.

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Austin Peay State University's College of Arts and Letters honors student leaders

Six outstanding student leaders were recognized during the college's third annual Student Leadership Awards ceremony on April 17.

Contact Us

Department of Theatre and Dance
Dale Pickard
(931) 221-7046
pickardd@apsu.edu

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Treston Henderson

Theatre and Dance Alum Henderson Off to a Strong Start in his Career

After booking the first national tour of Ain't Too Proud to Beg right after graduation, and starting his own production company, Treston Henderson (BFA Music Theatre) recently performed in the Music Circus production of Beautiful - The Carole King Musicalin Davis, CA.

Where have APSU alumni gone?

Jennifer Whitcomb-Olivia She/Her (BA Theatre Performance and Dance) 2010

Jennifer Whitcomb-Olivia is another shining example of the idea of a "multi-hyphenate" that we teach here at APSU. Jennifer is a professional actor and multidisciplinary performance artist. She was named Best Performing Artist of Nashville 2022, (BON) by The Nashville Scene.

Lexi Putter She/Her (BFA Acting/Directing 2022)

Lexi Putter is currently living in Chicago and is performing improv shows with One Group Mind at The Comedy Club House. She is also a student at Second City in their improv program where she recently had her debut on the famed Second City stage. She does comedy hosting as well for clubs around the Chicagoland area. She has also been seen in several commercials for national products.

Taylor Claycomb She/They (BFA Design 2022)

Taylor has worked for Cedar Fair where they stage managed America's largest daily parade, also stage managing for horror legend Michael Roddy, and opening 16 new productions for Cedar Fair Resort. Currently living in Newport News, VA with their partner and three cats, she works at Busch Gardens Williamsburg as the primary stage manager for Sesame Street.

Treston Henderson He/Him (BFA Musical Theatre 2020)

After receiving several callbacks for Broadway shows and touring companies and starting his own production company during COVID, he recently finished the first national tour of Ain't Too Proud to Beg: The Life & Times of the Temptations. After wrapping that contract up, he moved on to perform in Beautiful - The Carole King Musical in Davis, CA at the Music Circle.

Khatelin White She/They (BFA Acting/Directing 2021)

Khatelin immediately booked a job AD'ing at Roxy Regional Theatre right after graduation and is currently serving as a Directing intern at Actors Express Theatre in Atlanta.

Corey Finley He/Him (BA Theatre 2021)

Immediately after graduation, Corey was hired as an Acting intern at Actors Express in Atlanta where he performed to great acclaim in several shows. Since finishing that contract, he has been featured on many Atlanta stages.

Kaitlyn Williams She/Her (BA Theatre 2016)

Kaitlyn is a filmmaker and actress active in the Nashville area. Her films I'm Not Ashamed and Found at the Steps have been accepted and screened at several film festivals. She is currently in production on her next film.

Ashley Birnbaum She/Her (Musical Theatre 2023)

Having just graduated in May, Ashley has recently signed a contract at the Roxy Regional Theatre where she just closed a production of County Fair and will soon be starring in Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Meet Kevin Loveland He/They (BA Theatre and Dance)

Kevin completed his MFA degree in Dance at Mills College in Oakland, CA. He is an adjunct dance faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University and recently completed a summer Theatre and Dance program at the French Woods Performing Arts Festival. Currently they are serving as the Community School of the Arts Coordinator here at APSU.