The Center for Theatre and Dance

Backstage of set

Set for Semele

The Center for Theatre and Dance finds its home in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Ithaca College. Theatre has been an integral part of Ithaca College since 1897 (five years after its founding) and enrolls approximately 360 majors in its six degree programs and two minors. 

For more than 90 years, the Center for Theatre and Dance has drawn students from across the United States and around the world. More than 30 faculty—all of whom are professionals in their individual fields of study—embrace professional standards in the studio, classroom, and production laboratory. Our alumni share a rich history and bring credit to themselves, the Center for Theatre and Dance, and the college. With more than 1,500 applicants per year, we are committed to attracting a diverse body of students to our rigorous, highly individualized programs. 

Courses in Theatre and Dance

Theatre Classes

See all theatre classes offered by the Center for Theatre and Dance.

Theatre Courses
Dance Classes

See all dance classes offered by the Center for Theatre and Dance.

Dance Classes

Dillingham Facilities

The Dillingham Center for Theatre and Dance offers outstanding facilities with ample equipment for all programs.

The lobby, known by all as "The Red Carpet" is where our patrons are welcomed to our productions in music, theatre, and dance. During the day the space is activated by meetings and rehearsals. There is a large "Ithaca On Broadway" display showing posters of productions that the Ithaca College alumni (aka Mafia) have participated whether it be on the stage or off. 

Hoerner Theatre

The Hoerner Theatre is a 535-seat proscenium house.  The audience area is approximately 68 feet deep by 58 feet wide and seating is continental in form.  The auditorium floor begins at a level three feet below stage height and rises to a height of 15’3” above stage level at the rear of the auditorium.  Sightlines are good, and there are no pillars or other obstacles to obscure vision.  The stage is 78’-0” wide by 40’-0” deep.  The actual proscenium opening is variable from a minimum 32’-0” to a maximum of 52’-0”.  Proscenium height is 22’-0”.  The grid is 57’-0” high.  Rigging is single-purchase counterweight utilizing fifty-eight (58) standard pipe battens.  The apron of the stage is fitted with a hydraulic lift and can serve as acting space or as an orchestra pit, which can be positioned at various levels.  The pit will accommodate approximately thirty-five (35) musicians.  

Clark Theatre

The Clark Theatre is a 280 flexible seat house having approximately 500 square feet of playing space when used in the full round.  Other configurations that can be achieved are end stage, three-quarter thrust, and half round.  Two double doors open onto the lobby while one opens to the rear hall just outside the scene shop.  The doors are all oversized, having upper portions which can be opened for movement of large pieces of scenery.  The working height for the Clark Theatre is 20’-0”, which is the level of the lighting grid.  The room is surrounded by an access catwalk which is also the location for both lighting and sound control areas as well as stage management.  

McCarroll Theatre

The McCarroll Theatre is a 50-seat house having approximately 1000 square feet of space.  Seating is flexible dependent upon the production needs.  The working height is 13-0”, which is the level of the lighting grid.  The room has a suspended grid for lighting and sound needs. There is also an area for lighting and sound control as well as stage management. 

Studio 1 

At approximately 1,400 s.f., this dance studio has a double height ceiling, sprung floor, blackout curtains, barres, and full-length mirrors. Dance and acting classes are held here during the day and rehearsals in the evenings.

Studio 3

The Eugenia Wacker-Hoeflin Studio is approximately 1,700 s.f. This dance studio has a double height ceiling, natural light, sprung floor, blackout curtains, barres, and full-length mirrors. Dance and acting classes are held here during the day and rehearsals in the evenings.

Studio 4 

The Lee Byron Studio is approximately 1,700 s.f. This acting studio has a marly floor, blackout curtains, and full-length mirrors. Acting classes are held here during the day and rehearsals in the evenings.

Studio 5 

The Arno Selco Studio is approximately 1,000 s.f.  This acting studio has a marly floor, blackout curtains, and full-length mirrors. Acting classes are held here during the day and rehearsals in the evenings.

Studio 6 

At approximately 1,000 s.f., this dance studio has a double height ceiling, sprung floor, blackout curtains, barres, and full-length mirrors. Dance and acting classes are held here during the day and rehearsals in the evenings.

Dillingham 006 + 008

The Richard Clark and J. Fred Pritt classrooms are ~600 s.f. and can hold approximately 30 students. Each are equipped with projection, computer, and networking capabilities. Classes are held here during the day and are often used as a green room for actors and for musicians during performances that utilize a pit orchestra.

CAD Lab

This 750 s.f. classroom can hold approximately 25 students and is equipped with projection, computer, networking, large format printing, and specialized audio equipment  for teaching computer aided design and sound technology.

Production Design Studio & Conference Room

The Weisman Family Production Design Studio and Production Conference Room are approximately 650 s.f. This suite of spaces houses a studio space with workspaces for students designing in production and a conference space used for design meetings. Select seminar classes in production and design are also held in this space.

Sound Studio

The John Bracewell Sound Studio is approximately 130 s.f. This studio is outfitted with audio equipment and a sound booth for students to use in creating and editing sound for classroom and production projects. 

Design Studio

This approximately 1000 s.f. studio houses 28 drafting tables, flat files, spray hood, paint sink, projection, and computer capabilities. This studio is used for courses in production and design.

Conference Room

The Friends of Ithaca College Conference Room is approximately 550 s.f. and has a large conference table, a small kitchenette, and projection and computer capabilities. This space is used for meetings and seminar classes.

Dressing Rooms

The Leesa Noury and Daniel McDonald dressing rooms are approximately 650 s.f. and have spaces for changing, showers, makeup, and mic/wig fitting. 

Box Office

The Loren Klausner Colbert Ticket Office is approximately 500 s.f. and is used for ticketing and as a practicum space for the theatre administration students. 

management room

Approximately 300 s.f. and used for theatre administration and stage management students in their practicum assignments whether it be preparing rehearsal and performance reports or reconciling concessions sales.

Costume Shop

The Thomas E. Urban costume shop is approximately 1650 s.f. The shop has two internal offices, a dye room, a fitting area, worktables, and a dozen sewing stations. Courses in costume technology are held here in the mornings and the space is utilized for costume construction practicum during the afternoon and wardrobe in the evenings.

Scenery & Paint Shop

The Dori Eskenazi Meyers Scene Shop is approximately 3750 s.f. The shop has areas equipped with the proper tools for wood and metal fabrication, including CNC capabilities, as well as a paint shop. There is an internal office for student technical directors. This space is used to teach our courses in scenery, props, and paint in the mornings and utilized for construction practicum in the afternoons.

Props Shop

At approximately 600 s.f., the shop has workspaces for small and large properties alike. This space is utilized for construction practicum in the afternoons.

Lighting Shop

There is approximately 600 s.f.  of lighting shop and storage for all equipment and peripherals used to light productions. 

Sound Shop

There is approximately 400 s.f.  of sound shop and storage for all equipment and peripherals used in productions. 

Costume

There is onsite, climate controlled, costume storage of approximately 900 s.f.

Scenery

There is offsite storage for larger scenic items.

Props

There is onsite, climate controlled storage for all hand props and practicals.  There is a larger, off-site storage for larger properties items.

Center for Theatre and Dance

226 Dillingham Center