About the School of Dance & Theatre

The School of Dance & Theatre at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a dynamic, student-centered home for artists who are bold, curious, and ready to grow. Formerly known as the Performing Arts program, we’ve built a strong reputation for excellence in performance, production, choreography, and creative leadership.

Today, as the School of Dance & Theatre, we continue that tradition—offering immersive training, meaningful mentorship, and performance opportunities that prepare students to lead on stage, in studios, in classrooms, and in communities around the world.

Our Mission

We are committed to cultivating expressive, intelligent, and collaborative artists through rigorous training, live performance, and interdisciplinary exploration. We believe in the power of the performing arts to educate, inspire, and transform—and we equip students with the skills, experience, and vision to make that impact real.

What We Offer

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Performing Arts

• Dance concentration
  A movement-driven degree focused on performance, choreography, pedagogy, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Theatre concentration
  A customizable program with further concentrations in Acting, Directing, and Design/Technology, grounded in hands-on stage experience.

Minors in Dance or Theatre

Open to all majors, our minors offer a creative complement to academic and professional pathways across campus.

Our students have opportunities to perform every semester in mainstage productions, concerts, and student-led works. They choreograph, design, stage-manage, and collaborate with artists across music, visual art, and digital media.

Our Students

Dance and Theatre students are known across campus for their creativity, professionalism, and dedication. They learn to balance rehearsal schedules with academic rigor, take artistic risks, and support one another as collaborators and ensemble members. They leave UL Lafayette with strong resumes, clear artistic voices, and the confidence to succeed in whatever stage they step onto next.

Our Home

The School of Dance & Theatre is based in McLaurin Hall, with classes and performances held in Burke-Hawthorne Theatre, Angelle Hall Auditorium, and studios across campus. With renovations on the horizon and growing community support, our spaces continue to evolve to match the ambition of our students.

Join Us

Whether you’re looking to major in Dance or Theatre, add a creative minor to your degree, or attend a live performance, we invite you to connect with us. This community is where talent is nurtured, voices are developed, and artistry comes alive.

Let your story begin here.