Please fill out the following form if you'd like to set up a meeting with a faculty member to discuss courses or other opportunities, or possibly majoring in Theater and Dance.

Interest in Theater and Dance Form

Welcome to Theater and Dance!

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive department. First-years and upper-class students, non-majors and majors, and Five College students all take courses together and create our annual season of theater and dance. 

Check out our frequently asked questions, especially if you are a new student, or a high school student wondering about submitting the Arts Supplement with your application.

Looking for upcoming auditions?  Click here!

More information is available on our Opportunities and Resources page.  If you are curious about becoming a Theater and Dance Major, see the About the Major section.

Welcome Class of 2027 and New Transfer Students!

We look forward to helping you get involved in theater and dance at Amherst. Our courses and shows will help you pursue interests in acting, dancing, choreography, playwriting, directing, design, and much more.

At the heart of our program is collaboration and making performances.  Hundreds of Amherst students join us every year.  We hope you will be one of them!

A good way to connect with us is to come to the following events:

  • Friday, September 8 at 7pm in Kirby Theater -- Orientation Dance Concert & Social!  See faculty dance, meet Theater and Dance faculty and enjoy some pizza and conversation!
  • Sunday & Tuesday, September 10 and 12 at 7:30 in Webster Studio 2 -- Auditions for The Misanthrope -- all welcome -- click here for more info!
  • Saturday, September 16, Noon to 2pm in front of Holden Theater, Theater and Dance Welcome Picnic!  Lunch and conversation with faculty, staff and other students.

All auditions, 100-level courses, and most 200-level courses are open to new students. Also, theater and dance auditions at all of the Five Colleges are generally open to students from any school. We are a member of Five College Dance: you may take dance courses at Hampshire, Smith, Mount Holyoke and the University of Massachusetts. For more information about ballet placement, and auditions for the fall Five College repertory concert, see the flyer below.  There are also flyers below about open courses for this fall.

Here are some other links to help you get started:

If you have any questions , please feel free to contact me at rdbashford88@amherst.edu, or Ryan O'Donnell, our Academic Department Coordinator.  We would love to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Ron Bashford
Associate Professor & Chair
Amherst Theater and Dance

 

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Five College Dance Audition and Placement Info.png 1.29 MB
Misanthrope Auditions.jpg 116.88 KB
Open Dance Courses Fall 2023.png 702.42 KB
Open Design Courses Fall 2023.png 601.5 KB
Open Drama Courses Fall 2023.png 653.55 KB