Performing Arts

Every term, hundreds of Drexel students participate in performing groups through our programs in dance, theatre and music. These student-performers come from every college on the Drexel campus.

Students interested in acting, or the technical and administrative aspects of theatre, have many opportunities to explore. We present three Mainstage shows at our professionally equipped Mandell Theater each year. One is a co-production with a top Philadelphia theatre company that gives our students the chance to work alongside professional artists. We also do numerous smaller productions in order to afford students the opportunity to handle all aspects of the production and we support a successful Late Night Series -- a weekly open mic night run by students.

Dancers can participate in one of the Dance program's two large dance companies, each of which does two major productions in the Mandell Theater every year, as well as a small, selective touring dance ensemble which performs and does workshops in the public schools.

Musicians have a wide array of options to showcase their musical talents in one of our five choral groups, two large bands, a jazz orchestra and a string orchestra, as well as a wide range of smaller instrumental groups working in every musical style. Students from any program on the Drexel campus can earn minors in Theatre, Dance or Music, and there are more specialized minors available in Music Performance, Music Theory and Composition, and Jazz and African- American Music.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Performing Arts is twofold. We exist to enhance the cultural literacy of all Drexel students by providing them with opportunities to study, create, perform and experience dance, music, and theater. Equally important, we prepare students to succeed in the music and arts industries by integrating dynamic curriculum with real-world cooperative education experiences.

The Performing Arts Department houses the Mandell Theater, which serves as the major performance space for all three disciplines. It also hosts the Mandell Professionals In Residence Project (MPIRP) which brings world class theater and dance companies to campus to perform and to teach.

Dance

The Dance program at Drexel is founded on the belief that the act of dancing offers an opportunity to grow not only physically, but intellectually, emotionally, and socially. The curriculum is designed to guide each student in developing their own unique artistic voice. Students are exposed to a wide range of dance techniques and approaches through performances, choreography, intensive classes, and community participation.

Theatre

The Theatre program at Drexel consists of two distinct, yet closely integrated components: Academics and Performance. The intertwining of foundation studies and practical application empowers students to discover and develop their own voice and style in their art. With practical courses in Acting, Voice and Articulation, Movement for the Actor, Directing, Design and Technical Theatre, students explore areas of interest, develop their skills, and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the practical side of theatre arts. The Performance program allows students to apply their skills in a production setting, with public performances in either main stage productions or intimate studio productions in non-traditional theatre spaces.

Music

The Music program at Drexel offers numerous courses to develop a student's musicianship and nurture an appreciation and understanding of music's fundamentals. Students can take classes, study an instrument in private lessons and perform in over a dozen ensembles, including University Chorus, Concert Band, Jazz Orchestra, String Orchestra, and many more.

Scholarships

The Department of Performing Arts awards two kinds of scholarships each year; performance scholarships and technical scholarships. Performance scholarships are based on audition as well as ensemble needs and a commitment to the awarding ensemble.