About Us
What We Do
Cal Poly Pomona's Department of Theatre and New Dance awards undergraduate degrees in theatre, emphasizing theatrical production and the "doing" of theatre. At the same time, the Department offers courses in all aspects of theatre, both artistic and academic. After completing the theatre major at Cal Poly Pomona, students are prepared to begin their careers or specialized training in professional theatre, dance, themed entertainment, television or film; to go for advanced training in graduate schools; or to go into teaching. We are proud to boast alumni in numerous professional positions throughout the entertainment industry.
Why We Do It
Our Mission
The Department of Theatre and New Dance provides opportunities within a diverse and inclusive environment to explore and develop meaningful, innovative ideas that engage the interdependence of process and creation. Students develop critical thinking and disciplinary excellence through experiential learning, collaboration and interdisciplinary practices to prepare them to be current and relevant artists. Students work within established and experimental processes utilizing trends in new technologies, community and contemporary performance practices.
Our Vision
In an accessible, innovative and fearless laboratory environment, we will nurture and challenge students from a diversity of backgrounds and circumstances to become whole artists with multiple frames of reference who create in their own, distinct voices, and engage with community and society at large.
Our Values
COLLABORATION; COMMUNITY; OPPORTUNITY; PROGRESSIVE ARTISTRY; ARTISTIC INTEGRITY; EQUITY
Our Programs
The Cal Poly Pomona Department of Theatre and New Dance awards a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre which emphasizes process and the practical experience of producing theatre.
Visit the CPP Catalog here to explore classes and areas of study.
Students choose to minor in Theatre for a variety of reasons including artistic passion, creative outlet, and their interest in Theatre as a way to enhance many aspects of their life and career through connection, empathy, art, communication and storytelling. The Theatre Minor (24 units) allows students to take a variety of courses in areas that enrich their educational experience while connecting them to the Theatre & New Dance Department community.
The Dance Minor (23 units) is available to all students who seek to enrich their education with Dance or movement, both in practice and as a subject of cultural study. Dance minors may take a variety of courses including those that provide access to performance and choreography opportunities both on and off campus, as well as connection to the community of CPP students and faculty who value dance as cultural artifact and influence, and personal and artistic expression.
Program Learning Outcomes
Practice personal accountability, engagement and contribution when collaborating artistically and in groups to create, present and respond to performance.
Communicate orally, visually, kinesthetically and in writing to effectively engage with a range of audiences.
Identify, integrate and apply ethical research methods and theories appropriate to the fields of theatre and dance.
Recall and situate historical, environmental, social and cultural contexts to articulate and integrate their meanings in performance.
Analyze sources including texts and works of performance to critique the form, content, substance and impact of works of theatre and dance.
Integrate disciplinary and interdisciplinary skills and creative processes to generate original ideas, methods, art and/or solutions to contemporary challenges.
Express the relevance and potential impact of theatre, dance and the student’s own creative process or contribution within larger communities and social contexts.
Demonstrate the agency, adaptability and integrative ability to successfully enter theatre, dance or related fields, or pursue further specialized training or education.
