student stretching their neck while sitting on a stage with other students in the background

Theatre and Dance

General education courses and electives in the School of Theatre and Dance are the perfect choice for any student who wants to:

  • Make lasting connections with peers while building a community of collaboration in the classroom; 
  • Learn practical skills in an interactive, hands-on environment; and
  • Engage with advanced leadership and creative thinking skills while making art that matters.

Use the tabs below to learn more about our current offerings!

Fall 2026

  • Flex your creative-thinking, problem-solving, and communication abilities from home or in one of our shops or studios! Each of our general-education offerings are designed to engage the mind and the imagination to explore how the skills learned in the performing arts translate to skills for a successful life. In our general-education offerings you can try a new dance form, learn to improvise, build scenery or costumes for a production, or learn about theatrical lighting. 

    Online (Asynchronous)

    DANC 130A | Intro to Dance | Group IV Expressive Arts | 3 Credits | CRN 72019 | LATE START (10/5)

    THTR 113A | Intro to Voice Acting | Group IV Expressive Arts | 3 Credits | CRN 72107

    Dance Technique (In-Person; On Campus)

    DANC 100A | Intro to Modern Dance | Group IV Expressive Arts | 3 Credits | CRN 70119

    DANC 110A | Intro to Ballet | Group IV Expressive Arts | 3 Credits | CRN 70018

    DANC 115A | Intro to Jazz Dance | Group IV Expressive Arts | 3 Credits | CRN 70019

    DANC 118A | Intro to Tap Dance | Group IV Expressive Arts | 1 Credit | CRN 74264

    DANC 165A | Dance Forms: African | Group IV Expressive Arts | 3 Credits | CRN 70738

    If you already have experience as a dancer you may be eligible for advanced placement in a higher-level technique course, some of which are also gen-ed courses. Please contact Brooklyn Draper at brooklyn.draper@umontana.edu for more information. 

    Design/Technology Classes (In-Person)

    THTR 102A | Intro to Theatre Design | Group IV Expressive Arts | 3 Credits | CRN 71078

    THTR 107A | Theatre Production I: Scenery, Costumes, or Lighting |     Group IV Expressive Arts | 3 Credits | Six sections available; see GrizPortal for details

    Acting for Non-Majors (In-Person)

    THTR 120A | Intro to Acting | Group IV Expressive Arts | 3 Credits | Four sections available, including LATE START (10/5); see GrizPortal for details

    Writing and History (In-Person)

    THTR 330H | Theatre History I | Writing across the Curriculum and Group VI Historical and Cultural Studies | 3 Credits | CRN 73011

  • Do you already have experience in theatre and dance?

    Sample some of our skills coursework and build a portfolio that will serve your career aspirations in unexpected ways! Keep doing what you love while building leadership and collaboration skills that will benefit you in your major coursework and beyond. 

    Perform!

    Students who are cast in our productions can earn credit while performing:

    DANC 225 | Rehearsal and Performance | Elective | 1-4 Credits | Audition Required 

    DANC 327 | Advanced Rehearsal and Performance | Upper-Division Elective | 1-4 Credits | Audition Required

    THTR 395 | Practicums | Upper-Division Elective | 1-3 Credits | Audition Required

    Try teaching!

    Work with a faculty member to offer creative-movement classes to children from the community (DANC 295) or to adults with developmental disabilities--NO prior experience required:

    DANC 295 | Student Teaching: Children's Dance | 1 Credit | CRN 71324

    Build skills!

    Our acting sequence starts with two skills-based prerequisites for actors from various backgrounds:

    THTR 210 | Voice and Speech I | 2 Credits | CRN 70022

    THTR 220 | Acting I | 3 Credits | Two sections available; see GrizPortal for details

    If you already have experience as an actor, you may be eligible for advanced placement. Please contact Dr. Pam Stiehl at pamyla.stiehl@umontana.edu for more information. 

    Try something new!

    This semester we are excited to offer special upper-division electives for students across campus. Prior experience not always necessary--just the openness to engage with the material at the level assigned to the course: 

    THTR 351 | Production Design for Film/TV | Online (Asyncronous) | Upper-Division Elective | 3 Credits | 74284 | no prerequisites

    THTR 415 | Stage Combat | Upper-Division Elective | 3 Credits | 72866 | no prerequisites