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Student performing on stage

Columbia’s Theatre Department is run as a professional theater and provides rigorous, complete, one-on-one training for actors, directors, playwrights, designers and stage technicians.

Theatre Center

72 East 11th St.

The Theatre Center offers a dynamic hub for live performance on campus and is a lively part of Chicago’s artistic scene. The Center’s four performance venues incorporate student talent in everything from acting to set design. Each season includes student productions and Mainstage productions, directed by department faculty and professional guest artists.

Visit the Theater Center site

The Theatre Center has a variety of performance and production venues for Columbia's plays, musicals, concerts and directing projects, including the historic Getz Theater.

Mainstage productions are directed by department faculty and professional guest artists; are cast from the student population; and are designed by student design majors in collaboration with other departments in the college that are engaged in the use of new technologies.

Upcoming Events:

  • Theatre Season Kickoff
    Join us for Snacks! Performances! Announcements! Celebrate Black Theatre Day and kick off an exciting new theatre season with the Columbia College Chicago Theatre community....Get the details
  • London J-Term 2027 Virtual Q&A session
    Join us for snacks, theatre and dance activities, a class photo, and meetings with your program coordinators! This event is for all new Theatre and Dance students (new first year students and new transfer students)! Come meet fellow students, faculty, and staff and learn about this year’s theatre and dance productions. We will share information...Get the details
  • MATADORA by INSÉKTA
    Co-produced by Synapse Arts and presented by The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago and Chicago Latino Theatre Alliance (CLATA)’s DESTINOS–9th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. MATADORA is a world-premiere production by INSÉKTA. This new work of Latine Futurism uses dance and physical theater to construct a new mythology about the power of Latine rage–a...Get the details
  • MATADORA by INSÉKTA
    Co-produced by Synapse Arts and presented by The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago and Chicago Latino Theatre Alliance (CLATA)’s DESTINOS–9th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. MATADORA is a world-premiere production by INSÉKTA. This new work of Latine Futurism uses dance and physical theater to construct a new mythology about the power of Latine rage–a...Get the details
  • MATADORA by INSÉKTA
    Co-produced by Synapse Arts and presented by The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago and Chicago Latino Theatre Alliance (CLATA)’s DESTINOS–9th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. MATADORA is a world-premiere production by INSÉKTA. This new work of Latine Futurism uses dance and physical theater to construct a new mythology about the power of Latine rage–a...Get the details
  • 2ND ANNUAL CHICAGO LATINE/X CONTEMPORARY MOVEMENT FESTIVAL BY CERQUA RIVERA DANCE THEATRE
    2ND ANNUAL CHICAGO LATINX/E CONTEMPORARY MOVEMENT FESTIVAL (October 2-3, 2026) Presented in partnership with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (CRDT) Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre’s Chicago Latinx/e Contemporary Movement Festival features CRDT performing alongside six artists/collectives: Anniela Huidobro Castro, Anise Fernández & Amanda Ramirez, Ruben Andrés Castillo Gomez, Mark Travis Rivera | ......Get the details
  • 2ND ANNUAL CHICAGO LATINE/X CONTEMPORARY MOVEMENT FESTIVAL BY CERQUA RIVERA DANCE THEATRE
    2ND ANNUAL CHICAGO LATINX/E CONTEMPORARY MOVEMENT FESTIVAL Presented in partnership with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (CRDT) Saturday, October 3 @ 10:15 am - 12:00 pm Whacking for Self-Expression and Liberation Workshop Workshop Registration: ($10 or $5 pay what you can) A dance workshop with festival artist Tori Cristi (Whacking Los Angeles) for emerging, pre-professional, and pro......Get the details
  • 2ND ANNUAL CHICAGO LATINE/X CONTEMPORARY MOVEMENT FESTIVAL BY CERQUA RIVERA DANCE THEATRE
    2ND ANNUAL CHICAGO LATINX/E CONTEMPORARY MOVEMENT FESTIVAL Presented in partnership with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (CRDT) Saturday, October 3 @ 12:00 pm - 1:45 pm Free with registration. Community Conversation facilitated by David Herrera A community conversation platforming the cultural moment in the intersectional Latinx dance community facilitated by David Herrera, Artistic Dire......Get the details
  • London J-Term 2027 Virtual Q&A session
    Want to learn about the 3-Credit London Theatre Immersion Course during J-Term 2027? Come join us for an informational meeting. No commitments, bring your questions! OPEN TO ALL MAJORS. Virtual Q&A sessions: Thursday, September 24, 12:30-1:15pm Wednesday, October 7, 12:30-1:15pm Can’t make either meeting but still want to learn about the course? No problem! Contact Michael Brown at micb......Get the details
  • MUSICAL THEATRE CONCERT READING
    The School of Theatre and Dance presents MUSICAL THEATRE CONCERT – FIRST LOOK ‘26 Tickets: Free with reservation. (Note there is a limit of one ticket reservation per order for free concerts. Please see FAQ.) Wednesday, October 7, 2026 @ 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Thursday, October 8 @ 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Friday, October 9 @ 7:30...Get the details
  • MUSICAL THEATRE CONCERT READING
    The School of Theatre and Dance presents MUSICAL THEATRE CONCERT – FIRST LOOK ‘26 Tickets: Free with reservation. (Note there is a limit of one ticket reservation per order for free concerts. Please see FAQ.) Wednesday, October 7, 2026 @ 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Thursday, October 8 @ 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Friday, October 9 @ 7:30...Get the details
  • MUSICAL THEATRE CONCERT READING
    The School of Theatre and Dance presents MUSICAL THEATRE CONCERT – FIRST LOOK ‘26 Tickets: Free with reservation. (Note there is a limit of one ticket reservation per order for free concerts. Please see FAQ.) Wednesday, October 7, 2026 @ 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Thursday, October 8 @ 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Friday, October 9 @ 7:30 p.m....Get the details
  • MOMENTA | Inclusive Creative Movement Workshop
    COUNTERBALANCE 15th ANNIVERSARY (October 15-17, 2026) Presented in partnership with Access Living, Bodies of Work, MOMENTA Dance Company, ReinventAbility, and Unfolding Disability Futures MOMENTA Dance Company makes its Dance Center debut with the 15th Anniversary of CounterBalance. This will be the first time the long-running celebration of physically-integrated and inclusive dance is bei......Get the details
  • MOMENTA 15th Anniversary CounterBalance Inclusive Dance Concert
    COUNTERBALANCE 15th ANNIVERSARY (October 15-17, 2026) Presented in partnership with Access Living, Bodies of Work, MOMENTA Dance Company, ReinventAbility, and Unfolding Disability Futures MOMENTA Dance Company makes its Dance Center debut with the 15th Anniversary of CounterBalance. This will be the first time the long-running celebration of physically-integrated and inclusive dance is bei......Get the details
  • MOMENTA Emerging Choreographers Showcase
    COUNTERBALANCE 15th ANNIVERSARY (October 15-17, 2026) Presented in partnership with Access Living, Bodies of Work, MOMENTA Dance Company, ReinventAbility, and Unfolding Disability Futures MOMENTA Dance Company makes its Dance Center debut with the 15th Anniversary of CounterBalance. This will be the first time the long-running celebration of physically-integrated and inclusive dance is bei......Get the details
  • ESSENCE by BEVARA ANDERSON-SELKRIDGE
    ESSENCE by BEVARA ANDERSON-SELKRIDGE (October 23-24, 2026) Presented in partnership with BĀLA Dance Project and National Association for American African Dance Teachers Bevara Anderson-Selkridge presents her first standalone BĀLA Dance Project concert in Chicago featuring her choreographic range from solos to duets, from small group pieces to large ensemble works and drawing upon her fluen......Get the details
  • ESSENCE by BEVARA ANDERSON-SELKRIDGE
    ESSENCE by BEVARA ANDERSON-SELKRIDGE (October 23-24, 2026) Presented in partnership with BĀLA Dance Project and National Association for American African Dance Teachers Bevara Anderson-Selkridge presents her first standalone BĀLA Dance Project concert in Chicago featuring her choreographic range from solos to duets, from small group pieces to large ensemble works and drawing upon her fluen......Get the details
  • THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW FILM & SHADOW PERFORMANCE
    The School of Theatre and Dance presents THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW SHADOW CAST Columbia, are you ready to do the Time Warp again? The fourth annual Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadow Cast makes its Dance Center debut for one night and one night only! Join us for this live performance of the cult classic film. Sing...Get the details
  • FREE FALL: STUDENT PERFORMANCE NIGHT
    FREE FALL: STUDENT PERFORMANCE NIGHT (November 19-20, 2026) The coveted platform for selected student choreographers to share their original, short works on the Dance Center’s stage with audiences as dynamic as the performances. Faculty Advisor: Bevara Anderson-Selkridge. Tickets: Free with reservation. (Note there is a limit of one ticket reservation per order for free concerts. Please s......Get the details
  • FREE FALL: STUDENT PERFORMANCE NIGHT
    FREE FALL: STUDENT PERFORMANCE NIGHT (November 19-20, 2026) The coveted platform for selected student choreographers to share their original, short works on the Dance Center’s stage with audiences as dynamic as the performances. Faculty Advisor: Bevara Anderson-Selkridge. Tickets: Free with reservation. (Note there is a limit of one ticket reservation per order for free concerts. Please s......Get the details
  • CHOREOGRAPHIC PROJECTS: Week 1
    CHOREOGRAPHIC PROJECTS (December 3-4 & 10-11, 2026) Each week’s distinct program features the culmination of eight Dance majors’ journeys through the choreographic process: from creative impulse through auditions, rehearsals, outside eyes, and design decisions, to presenting their new works for the first time on the concert stage. Faculty Advisor: Kelsa Rieger-Haywood. Tickets: Free with ......Get the details
  • CHOREOGRAPHIC PROJECTS: Week 1
    CHOREOGRAPHIC PROJECTS (December 3-4 & 10-11, 2026) Each week’s distinct program features the culmination of eight Dance majors’ journeys through the choreographic process: from creative impulse through auditions, rehearsals, outside eyes, and design decisions, to presenting their new works for the first time on the concert stage. Faculty Advisor: Kelsa Rieger-Haywood. Tickets: Free with ......Get the details
  • CHOREOGRAPHIC PROJECTS: Week 2
    CHOREOGRAPHIC PROJECTS (December10-11, 2026) Each week’s distinct program features the culmination of eight Dance majors’ journeys through the choreographic process: from creative impulse through auditions, rehearsals, outside eyes, and design decisions, to presenting their new works for the first time on the concert stage. Faculty Advisor: Kelsa Rieger-Haywood. Tickets: Free with reserva......Get the details
  • CHOREOGRAPHIC PROJECTS: Week 2
    CHOREOGRAPHIC PROJECTS (December 10-11, 2026) Each week’s distinct program features the culmination of eight Dance majors’ journeys through the choreographic process: from creative impulse through auditions, rehearsals, outside eyes, and design decisions, to presenting their new works for the first time on the concert stage. Faculty Advisor: Kelsa Rieger-Haywood. Tickets: Free with reserv......Get the details
  • AMBER’S DUNDUNBA 4.0
    What began as a personal birthday celebration has transformed into a highly anticipated annual event bringing together dancers, drummers, and community members through intensive-style workshops and immersive archival installations dedicated to the Guinean rhythms of Dundunba. AMBER’S DUNDUNBA 4.0 features West African dance artists/instructors Imania Detry, Zenzile Fatou, and Washington, D.C.-b......Get the details
  • REPERTORY PERFORMANCE WORKS
    ZAWADI: REPERTORY PERFORMANCE WORKS (December 17-18, 2026) Kiswahili for “gifts”, the ZAWADI culminating concerts of 2026 at the Dance Center feature choreographic offerings by guest choreographers Matumbe Himons, Nejla Yatkin and Assistant Professor Dardi McGinley Gallivan set on students in the Repertory Performance Workshop course. Originated by Dance Center founder Shirley Mordine, the c......Get the details
  • REPERTORY PERFORMANCE WORKS
    ZAWADI: REPERTORY PERFORMANCE WORKS (December 17-18, 2026) Kiswahili for “gifts”, the ZAWADI culminating concerts of 2026 at the Dance Center feature choreographic offerings by guest choreographers Matumbe Himons, Nejla Yatkin and Assistant Professor Dardi McGinley Gallivan set on students in the Repertory Performance Workshop course. Originated by Dance Center founder Shirley Mordine, the c......Get the details
  • SOUTH CHICAGO DANCE THEATRE WORLD PREMIERE BY KIA S. SMITH
    A Dance Center commission, this world premiere by South Chicago Dance Theatre Founder and Director of Vision and Strategy Kia S. Smith is the fourth evening-length work by the 10-year-old company. Inspired by Smith’s Great Grandmother Josephine Griffin Jones, the new dance theater work explores how family histories and embodied knowledge can flower into artistic...Get the details
  • SOUTH CHICAGO DANCE THEATRE WORLD PREMIERE BY KIA S. SMITH
    A Dance Center commission, this world premiere by South Chicago Dance Theatre Founder and Director of Vision and Strategy Kia S. Smith is the fourth evening-length work by the 10-year-old company. Inspired by Smith’s Great Grandmother Josephine Griffin Jones, the new dance theater work explores how family histories and embodied knowledge can flower into artistic...Get the details
  • SOUTH CHICAGO DANCE THEATRE WORLD PREMIERE BY KIA S. SMITH
    A Dance Center commission, this world premiere by South Chicago Dance Theatre Founder and Director of Vision and Strategy Kia S. Smith is the fourth evening-length work by the 10-year-old company. Inspired by Smith’s Great Grandmother Josephine Griffin Jones, the new dance theater work explores how family histories and embodied knowledge can flower into artistic...Get the details
  • MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE CONCERT
    The 4th annual student produced, directed, choreographed and performed revue featuring Acting, Dance, Design, and Musical Theatre majors bringing their fresh take on musical theatre dance numbers. Faculty advisor: Wilfredo Rivera. Tickets: Free with reservation. Thursday, February 18, 2027 @ 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Friday, February 19, 2027 @ 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m....Get the details
  • MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE CONCERT
    The 4th annual student produced, directed, choreographed and performed revue featuring Acting, Dance, Design, and Musical Theatre majors bringing their fresh take on musical theatre dance numbers. Faculty advisor: Wilfredo Rivera. Tickets: Free with reservation. Thursday, February 18, 2027 @ 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Tickets & More Info Link: https://dance.colum.edu/events/2026/6/25/mus......Get the details
  • B-COMING FESTIVAL + SYMPOSIUM: ROOTS, LINEAGE, AND THE ONGOING EVOLUTION OF HIP HOP AND STREET DANCE CULTURES
    The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago's annual symposium and its B-Series Festival of Hip Hop and Street Dance Cultures unite for the first time in 2027. B-COMING Festival + Symposium focuses on globalization and cultural exchange, through exploring the powerful, in-between spaces where different traditions meet—and sometimes collide—at the crossroads of community and identity....Get the details
  • B-COMING FESTIVAL + SYMPOSIUM: ROOTS, LINEAGE, AND THE ONGOING EVOLUTION OF HIP HOP AND STREET DANCE CULTURES
    The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago's annual symposium and its B-Series Festival of Hip Hop and Street Dance Cultures unite for the first time in 2027. B-COMING Festival + Symposium focuses on globalization and cultural exchange, through exploring the powerful, in-between spaces where different traditions meet—and sometimes collide—at the crossroads of community and identity....Get the details
  • B-COMING FESTIVAL + SYMPOSIUM: ROOTS, LINEAGE, AND THE ONGOING EVOLUTION OF HIP HOP AND STREET DANCE CULTURES
    The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago's annual symposium and its B-Series Festival of Hip Hop and Street Dance Cultures unite for the first time in 2027. B-COMING Festival + Symposium focuses on globalization and cultural exchange, through exploring the powerful, in-between spaces where different traditions meet—and sometimes collide—at the crossroads of community and identity....Get the details
  • DIPTYCH BY RE| DANCE GROUP
    Michael Estanich and Lucy Vurusic Riner’s RE| dance group makes its Dance Center debut with two Chicago premieres by Artistic Director Michael Estanich. In keeping with RE|dance group’s signature style, both dance theater works merge movement, song and text, and complement and serve as foils for one another through divergent approaches in environment and tone....Get the details
  • DIPTYCH BY RE| DANCE GROUP
    Michael Estanich and Lucy Vurusic Riner’s RE| dance group makes its Dance Center debut with two Chicago premieres by Artistic Director Michael Estanich. In keeping with RE|dance group’s signature style, both dance theater works merge movement, song and text, and complement and serve as foils for one another through divergent approaches in environment and tone....Get the details
  • DIPTYCH BY RE| DANCE GROUP
    Michael Estanich and Lucy Vurusic Riner’s RE| dance group makes its Dance Center debut with two Chicago premieres by Artistic Director Michael Estanich. In keeping with RE|dance group’s signature style, both dance theater works merge movement, song and text, and complement and serve as foils for one another through divergent approaches in environment and tone....Get the details
  • UNTIL WE FILL THE OCEAN BY IS/LAND
    In partnership with Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF) IS/LAND makes its Dance Center debut with the Chicago premiere of Until We Fill the Ocean – an evening-length, interdisciplinary work blending sound, dance, and poetry to honor the detainees on San Francisco Bay’s Angel Island from 1910 through 1940. Angel Island Immigration Station...Get the details
  • UNTIL WE FILL THE OCEAN BY IS/LAND
    In partnership with Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF) IS/LAND makes its Dance Center debut with the Chicago premiere of Until We Fill the Ocean – an evening-length, interdisciplinary work blending sound, dance, and poetry to honor the detainees on San Francisco Bay’s Angel Island from 1910 through 1940. Angel Island Immigration Station...Get the details
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