There are many opportunities to participate in the performing arts at UIUC whether you are majoring in the arts or not! The College of Fine and Applied Arts units have performance activities open to any major, along with courses that non-majors can take (some satisfy General Education requirements) and pathways to minoring in the arts.
There are also many performing arts-related Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) that produce their own performances across campus. Even if you’re not interested in performing, many of these groups are looking for students to help with all aspects of producing their performances, from stage management to design to marketing.
See the information below on how you can participate in the expansive performing arts activity happening on campus!
Dance at Illinois
Dance at Illinois offers a number of classes that are open to non-majors and you can also minor in dance!
Dance Courses Open to Non-Majors
Contact: dance@illinois.edu
Illinois Theatre
Acting roles in Illinois Theatre productions are primarily open to Acting Majors. However, there are opportunities for non-majors to work behind the scenes, take courses that satisfy Gen Ed requirements and minor in Theatre.
Theatre Courses Open to Non-Majors:
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- THEA 100: Practicum I
- Practical work in the design, construction, and handling of scenery, lighting, sound, properties, costumes, and makeup for public performance. A minimum of forty hours of production activity to be arranged for each credit hour. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor required for non-theatre majors.
- THEA 101: Introduction to Theatre Arts
- Introduction to the arts of theater for non-majors, including acting, design, directing, dramaturgy, and playwriting, together with a survey of theatrical history, minority theater, and plays by women. Attendance at Department of Theater productions (ticket fee required). Credit is not given toward graduation for: Credit not given for both THEA 101 and THEA 122.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for:
Humanities – Lit & Arts
- Introduction to the arts of theater for non-majors, including acting, design, directing, dramaturgy, and playwriting, together with a survey of theatrical history, minority theater, and plays by women. Attendance at Department of Theater productions (ticket fee required). Credit is not given toward graduation for: Credit not given for both THEA 101 and THEA 122.
- THEA 110: Broadway Musicals
- A cultural context of the uniquely “American” Broadway musical through an introduction to the art form, an analysis of the pertinent time period, and historical and critical placement of the work as a reflection (and development) of the identity of the United States. This course will introduce the collaborative artistry of the musical, survey specific iconic works, and explore the socio-economic impacts of the Broadway musical. Attendance at selected performances is required. This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for:
Humanities – Lit & Arts
Cultural Studies – Western
- A cultural context of the uniquely “American” Broadway musical through an introduction to the art form, an analysis of the pertinent time period, and historical and critical placement of the work as a reflection (and development) of the identity of the United States. This course will introduce the collaborative artistry of the musical, survey specific iconic works, and explore the socio-economic impacts of the Broadway musical. Attendance at selected performances is required. This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for:
- THEA 122: Theatre Foundations: Theory and Practice
- Focuses on understanding the historical and contemporary creative practices of playwrights, directors, and dramaturgs. Provides a brief overview of theatre history and theory for understanding critical concepts and approaches that inform contemporary theatrical practices. Students will develop creative projects as well as critical analyses in support of course objectives. Credit is not given toward graduation for: Credit not given for both THEA 122 and THEA 101.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for:
Humanities – Lit & Arts
- Focuses on understanding the historical and contemporary creative practices of playwrights, directors, and dramaturgs. Provides a brief overview of theatre history and theory for understanding critical concepts and approaches that inform contemporary theatrical practices. Students will develop creative projects as well as critical analyses in support of course objectives. Credit is not given toward graduation for: Credit not given for both THEA 122 and THEA 101.
- Full Theatre Course Catalog
- THEA 100: Practicum I
School of Music
There are lots of opportunities to participate in bands, choirs, jazz ensembles, orchestras and more through the School of Music. There are also a number of courses open to non-majors that satisfy Gen Ed requirements and opportunities to minor in Music as well as take private lessons and use practice rooms.
Band, Choir, Guitar Ensemble, Jazz and Orchestra Audition Information
Practice Rooms/Pianos
Practice rooms are available through the School of Music for students who are registered in classes, ensembles or private lessons. There are also practice rooms in the Harding Band Building and in some University Resident Halls.
The Krannert Center does not have practice rooms or pianos available for student use.
There are public pianos in some buildings on campus including the Illini Union.
Performing Arts RSOs
There are many Registered Student Organizations that produce their own performances from acapella, dance teams, improv teams, music, musicals, theatre and more! See the links below to find out more about these RSOs.
KCSA also partners with RSOs to produce Push4Art,
Full Listing of Performing Arts RSOs (Note: Not all groups listed may be active.)
Listing of Performing Arts RSOS
Select List of RSOs
Theatre & Improv
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- Hive Society Improv
- Illini Student Musicals
- Odd Request Improv
- Penny Dreadful Players
- Potted Meat Sketch Comedy
- Spicy Clamato
- The Phoenix Improv Company
- The What You Will Shakespeare Company
Dance
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- Afrique Dance Ensemble
- Barkada (part of the Philippine Student Association at UIUC)
- Bollywood Dhamaka
- Dance 2XS Caliente
- Dance 2XS LUXE
- Dancing Illini
- Dheem
- Fizaa
- Floor Lovers Illinois
- Ghungroo Dance Company
- Hip-Notic Dance Team
- I-Bhangra Club
- Illini Dance Sport
- Illini N Motion
- Illini Raas Team
- ImagiNation Dance Crew
- Legend Dance Company
- Mixed Motions UIUC (Double M)
- Raas Mania
- The Illini Swing Society
- Urbana Country Dancers
- Urbana-Champaign West African Dance and Drum Collective (UCWADDC)
- Velocity Dance
- Vitality Dance Team
- Wrapsody Dance Co.
Vocal Music
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- Black Chorus (School of Music)
- Chai Town A Cappella
- Girls Next Door A Cappella
- Illinois Rip Chords
- No Comment A Cappella
- No Strings Attached A Cappella
- The Other Guys (part of Varsity Men’s Glee Club)
- Varsity Men’s Glee Club (School of Music)
- Women’s Glee Club (School of Music
- Xtension Chords A Cappella
Instrumental Music
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- Altgeld Ringers
- Electronic Music Club
- Gah Rahk Mah Dahng
- Illini Saxophone Club
- Jasmine Field Orchestra
- Kick Brass – Brass Band
- Les Claviers
- Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth
- Urbana-Champaign West African Dance and Drum Collective (UCWADDC)
Performing Arts – Other
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- Pizza FM (student-run radio station)
- Star Course (concert programming, marketing, and event management)
- WBML Radio (student-run radio station)