Mission

Our Mission

The mission of the Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance is to advance the art, scholarship, and appreciation of theatre and dance and its place in society. We pursue this mission collectively and as individuals through theatrical productions, scholarship and publication, presentation of our work in national and international venues, formal instruction, and individual mentoring.

The Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and is a member of the University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA) and United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT).

First Nations Land Acknowledgement

The IU Department of Theatre + Dance acknowledges and honors the Indigenous communities native to this region, and recognizes that Indiana University Bloomington is built on Indigenous homelands and resources. We recognize the myaamiaki, Lënape, Bodwéwadmik, and saawanwa people as past, present, and future caretakers of this land. We also acknowledge that this University would not exist if it wasn’t for the free, enslaved labor of Black people. We honor the legacy of the African diaspora and Black life, knowledge, and skills, stolen due to violence and white supremacy.

We are dedicated to amplifying historically marginalized and under-represented voices and perspectives, improving community relationships, correcting the narrative, and making the IU Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance a more supportive and inclusive place for Native and Indigenous, Black, Asian, Latino/a/e, Middle Eastern, South Asian and Pacific Islander, and Multi-Racial students, artists, faculty, and staff. IU Theatre & Dance invites you to experience the work of these artists, and to acknowledge and honor the living contributions of these artists and makers to the art forms of theatre and dance.

Resources for correct pronunciation can be found here: https://firstnations.indiana.edu/land-acknowledgement/index.html
This acknowledgement was crafted in consultation with Nicky Belle, Director, First Nations Educational & Cultural Center

Why We Produce Live Theatre and Dance

The presentation of productions in the Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance operates as an extension of classroom training allowing our students to apply their learning in practice. As such, the selected material provides our graduate and undergraduate students opportunities to explore a range of genres, styles, and themes that foster educational enrichment, artistic rigor, and collaborative learning.

Our season aspires to encourage our audiences to engage in critical dialogue, reflecting the diverse voices and experiences in our program and in the broader community. Connections between our season and current and/or historical events will likely emerge as performance relates both to the context in which it was originally created and by how it is presented today.

Analyzing connections among ideas and events is a core skill in a liberal arts education and brings value for student artists and student audiences in their future professions. By curating a rich and varied season, we strive to enhance students' artistic development, prepare them for professional success, and foster a dynamic learning environment that demonstrates the value of performance as a forum for public discourse.

Climate Statement

Diversity

We will welcome/respect a wide range of experiences and perspectives in the study, practice, and production of theatre and dance. The richness of our creative process and the strength of our community relies on the incorporation of each individual’s unique experience.

Equity

We believe that our practices and community are only strong if all artists are treated equitably. We will continue to identify, examine, and decenter traditions in the fields of theatre and dance that have disproportionately excluded/subjugated/oppressed/invalidated BIPOC, LBTQIA+, and other historically marginalized voices. We amplify these voices to correct structural inequity in our recruiting, programming, curricula, pedagogy, and productions. We commit to meeting casting requirements as indicated by playwright/author in regards to appropriate race, gender, ability, identity, creed, belief, or culture.

Inclusion

We pledge to uphold a safe, respectful, and supportive space for all voices in theatre and dance in our classrooms, our rehearsal and production practices, and our hiring and programming practices. We will identify, acknowledge, and repair any failure to uphold this pledge. To this end, we welcome and rely on honest feedback and open dialogue to ensure justice for historically silenced artists.

Wellness

We prioritize a safe working environment to maintain healthy theatre and dance practices. We create a climate of respect for all members of our community; supporting their physical, emotional, and mental safety and wellbeing. We practice self-care and learning that includes openness, advocacy, and safety. We also acknowledge the additional physical, mental, and emotional burden of oppression on BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and disabled artists in the creative process, and we pledge to ensure that artists have agency over their own personal wellbeing.

Sustainability

We commit to sustainable practices in our curriculum, studios, and spaces that prioritize ethical and safe use and management of environmental, human, and financial resources. We pledge to reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever possible. We pledge to use methodologies and practices in our spaces and curricula that respect these invaluable and limited resources as we advance the art, scholarship, and appreciation of theatre and dance and its place in society.