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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.

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.

• Theatre
• Theatre and Dance
• Performing Arts Center

Upcoming Events:

• 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...
• Co-produced by Synapse Arts and presented by The Dance Center of ������ 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...
• Co-produced by Synapse Arts and presented by The Dance Center of ������ 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...
• Co-produced by Synapse Arts and presented by The Dance Center of ������ 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...
• 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 | ......
• 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 | T......
• 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......
• 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...
• 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...
• 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....
• 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......
• 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......
• 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......
• 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......
• 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......
• 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...
• 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......
• 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......
• 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 ......
• 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 ......
• 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......
• 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......
• 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......
• 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......
• 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......