The Department of Theatre & Dance at Converse inspires, entertains, and challenges audiences with live performances that enhance our capacity for empathy and illuminate our common humanity. We train and support the next generation of performing artists by providing programs that promote intellectual curiosity, creativity and lifelong learning. The stage is our laboratory, a place where we grow and create in community.
We celebrate the essential power of theatre and dance to connect us to one another and to our larger world.
Our theatre productions have built upon more than 120 years of excellence and continue today, through our producing company Theatre Converse.
Dance performance extends 65 years of tradition, discipline and talent through Dance Converse. Our primary focus in the classroom, in rehearsal, and in live performance is to give student artists the opportunities and support to succeed. Our program offers opportunities to meet with and learn from guest artists, as well as professional opportunities to expand your professional experience.
Discover more about our majors and minors through the link below, and then contact us for a campus visit.
Theatre & Dance Faculty and Staff
Wendi W. Arms
Associate Music Librarian/Teacher of Voice
John M. Bald
Associate Professor of Theatre Emeritus
Jenna Elser
Assistant Professor of Theatre
Meg Hanna Tominaga
Associate Professor of Theatre
Mayes Hopkins
Technical Director
Valerie MacPhail
Associate Professor of Voice and Assistant Director of the Petrie School of Music
Madeleine McEntire
Adjunct Instructor of Music Theory
Melissa Owens Kaley
Associate Professor of Theatre, Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance
Carrie Preus
Teacher of Ballet
Allison Roux
Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre Dance