Music and Theatre

Division of Music and Theatre

With a degree from IWU’s Division of Music and Theatre, you’ll emerge stage and industry-ready, equipped with the skills and confidence to excel as a music educator, music therapist, performer, composer, or graduate student. Our rigorous programs will help you hone your God-given talents and develop the necessary skills to succeed as a versatile musician.

Our professors are experts in their fields and are committed to advancing their knowledge base within the music and theatre disciplines. Our small class sizes provide you with the opportunity to build a relationship with your professors; they want to get to know you both academically and individually.

Explore our academic programs, make plans to visit our world-class facilities and reach out to our professors. We are here to help you every step of the way!

Browse Programs > Request Info

Upcoming Music and Theatre Events

Available Minors

*More information on the Music Minor coming soon!

Credit total: 19

The Theatre minor is designed for the student with a major in another discipline who has an interest in theatre. The curriculum strengthens and enriches the theatre background.

Course Title Credits
Required Courses 11
THR 120 Intro to Theatre 3
THR 252 Beginning Acting 3
THR 272 Stagecraft 3
THR 301 Practicum (must be taken twice) 1 x 2
Required Core 200 (Choose Two) 2
THR 201 Stage Makeup 1
THR 202 Stage Management 1
THR 203 Scenic Painting 1
THR 204 Stage Lighting 1
Required Core 300 (Choose One) 3
THR 315 Principles of Stage Directing 3
THR 362 Playwriting 3
Electives (Choose Three Credits) 3
THR 315 Principles of Stage Directing 3
THR 362 Playwriting 3
THR 333 Principles of Theatre Design 3
THR 336 Special Topics (varying offering) 3
THR 201 Stage Makeup 1
THR 202 Stage Management 1
THR 203 Scenic Painting 1
THR 204 Stage Lighting 1
THR 301 Practicum 1–2
MUS 190 Lyric Theatre 0–3
ENG 315 Literary Theory and Criticism 3
ENG 361 Shakespeare 3
WOR 340 Leading Worship Through the Arts 3
WOR 235 Worship 3
DES 101 Design Fundamentals 3
COM 116-R Radio Practicum 1–3
COM 112 Intro to Multimedia Storytelling 3

Find the way Forward

Explore the Division of Music and Theatre to further develop your God-given talents!

Request Info

What Makes IWU So Unique

Christ-driven artistry: we don’t just align with faith—we create from it.

 

Music and Theatre Facilities

All music programs are located in the Phillippe Performing Arts Center (PPAC). This facility offers up-to-date classrooms, practice rooms, rehearsal space, recital halls, a large auditorium and teaching studios.

Auditorium (PPAC)

Phillippe Performing Arts Center Auditiorium

Baker Recital Hall (PPAC)

Baker Recital Hall

Black Box Theatre (PPAC)

Black Box Theatre

Phillippe Performing Arts Center (PPAC)

Phillippe Performing Arts Center

FAQs

All information regarding auditions for the Music program can be found on the Auditions and Scholarships webpage.
View the programs section above to view the current selection of music programs in Indiana Wesleyan University's Division of Music and Theatre.
A music minor may be taken as an adjunct to another major.

There are specific requirements which must be met in order to register as a music major at Indiana Wesleyan University.

You can expect to audition for the Division of Music and Theatre faculty, submit letters of recommendation, and complete a music theory placement exam.

For a more thorough look at the admission requirements, review the Smart Catalog.

Scholarships are offered only for music majors, however, there are several service grants which may be given to members of ensembles.

View all ensembles

Large ensembles include:

  • University Chorale
  • University Wind Ensemble
  • University Orchestra
  • Campus Choir
  • Cantate
  • Marching Band

Small ensembles are also available, including:

  • String Quartets
  • Flute Choir
  • Piano Ensemble
  • Jazz Combo
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Percussion Ensemble
  • World Drumming Ensemble

Christian Service Teams are formed and scheduled through the Office of Church Relations.

Auditions are usually scheduled at the beginning of the fall semester each year.

All music and theatre programs are located in the Phillippe Performing Arts Center.

This facility offers up-to-date classrooms, practice rooms, rehearsal space, recital halls, and teaching studios.

We strongly encourage students to become involved in study abroad opportunities.

To learn more about the global engagement opportunities through Indiana Wesleyan University's Division of Music and Theatre, please visit our Study Abroad webpage.

Industry-first placement for most: K-12 music education roles and music therapy clinical positions immediately after graduation.

Graduate study for performance/composition/theory/worship leadership: placements include Cleveland Institute of Music, IU Jacobs, USC Thornton, University of Colorado Boulder, Butler, and others.

IWU Theatre Guild FAQ

The IWU Theatre Guild equips, edifies, and entertains students and audiences through the art of live performance.

The Theatre Guild is committed to the three Cs: community, collaboration, and creative excellence.

Audition for roles, attend Theatre Guild hangouts, see shows, volunteer for backstage crew, join our chapel small group, and interview for a shop position. Anyone who does any of these is officially a Guildling.

We offer an amazing theatre minor at IWU where you will belong. You’ll strengthen your creative talents, make new friends, showcase your skill, and tell your story!

Class Availability

THR-252 Acting

Every Fall

THR-272 Stagecraft

Every Spring
THR-315 Directing Every Even Fall
THR-362 Scriptwriting Every Odd Fall
THR-301 Practicum (Get credit for being in Black Box shows)
MUS-190 Practicum (Get credit for performing in spring musicals)
One-hour courses in scenic painting, lighting, makeup, and stage management

One-hour courses in scenic painting, lighting, makeup, and stage management

*Special topic courses available by request

Past Theatre Shows

See past productions of the IWU Theatre Guild!

Past Shows

Distinguished Faculty

Dr. Rebecca Barnard Headshot

Dr. Rebecca Barnard

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Coordinator of Music Therapy; active in AMTA leadership; NICU Music Therapy–certified; designs curriculum directly from current clinical practice; 10+ years leading a program where graduates who seek jobs in the field have achieved 100% placement.

Meet the Faculty