The Department of Theatre serves the students by teaching and creating theatre as a discipline in the context of a traditional liberal arts institution. This means that students learn how to think critically and creatively about an important body of material and how to give those thoughts scholarly and artistic expression. Instruction in theatre is both theoretical and practical. It combines knowledge and skill. Students are required to test theory in creative practice and to become proficient in devising solutions to complex problems.

The Department is therefore committed to providing curricular and co-curricular programs of the highest quality which develop in students those abilities requisite to theatrical performance. In addition, students learn to effectively manage interpersonal relationships within the collaborative process. Thus, they are prepared for a wide variety of careers in organizations and enterprises that value leadership and service.

Finally, the Department seeks to nurture and develop audience sensibilities and critical skills within the campus community and to bring distinction to the College through the quality of its public programs.