Theatre, Dance and Performance Technology Program

Facets Theatre (formerly Brighter Connections Theatre) is an inclusive theater camp for everyone. Youth ages 8 through adult, whether neurotypical or neurodivergent, are welcome to join in the fun. No previous theater or dance experience is necessary — just bring your creativity and enthusiasm.

Led by University of Dayton Theatre, Dance and Performance Technology faculty and staff, along with instructors specializing in inclusive, neurodiverse theater, these camps provide a supportive and inspiring environment for all participants.

Dynamic collaborations include many crosslisted Common Academic Program courses developed by the Theatre, Dance and Performance Technology Program has developed with the College of Arts and Sciences, Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, School of Education and Health Sciences and School of Engineering.

These courses provide valuable interdisciplinary perspectives, team-teaching environments and integrated learning — allowing theatre, dance and performance technology majors to complete many requirements for both the major and Common Academic Program simultaneously. This built in efficiency makes pursuing a dual major with theatre, dance and performance technology an accessible option.

In today's performative world, it is not enough to be a fantastic interpreter of already-scripted works. Graduates in creative fields now also need to know how to create original works: how to research, respond to and ethically represent the communities in which they live.

Our graduates will have the theoretical grounding to grapple with the politics of representation and ethically answer the questions: Whose stories? Who for? Why do we tell them?

Our graduates will have an original point of view, a developed perspective and the confidence to contribute. The creative industries call for content creators and our graduates will be poised to meet that demand.

Our program provides four theoretical and practical concentrations: acting, performance, technology, dance and applied theatre — all informed by a Marianist tradition of community engagement and social justice. With co-curricular, interdisciplinary and experiential learning at the heart of the curriculum, performers and technicians learn by doing, serving and creating.