Department of Theatre and Dance
Giving to Theatre and Dance
In the Theatre and Dance Department, students develop artistic skills in acting, dance, and production design, while learning the importance of collaboration, communication, and creativity in all aspects of their personal and professional lives through an undergraduate program that provides students experiences typically afforded to graduate programs across the nation.
Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA)
- For over 50 years, Theatre for Young Audiences has presented children's theatre productions to elementary and middle schools throughout the San Joaquin Valley. In Spring 2016, this touring company of student actors performed “The Frog Prince” in 15 valley schools, from Kingsburg to Chowchilla, and held 6 on-campus performances, to more than 6,000 children, teachers, and parents. For many of those in attendance, this was perhaps their very first live theatre experience, as well as their first visit to a university campus.
University Theatre
- Each year, University Theatre presents five main stage performances and a dance ensemble concert. In 2015-16 over 7,500 attended a University Theatre main stage performance. The final production of the year was the world premiere of the play BLUE WILLOW, an oral history project chronicling the migrant experience in the Central Valley. It was a tremendous honor to bring a world premiere to the campus of Fresno State that is representative of the diversity of our campus and community, gave our students and community the chance to connect with characters that reflect their own narratives voices.
University Theatre Contemporary Dance Ensemble
- The University Theatre Contemporary Dance Ensemble piece “The Several Within” was selected as a finalist (chosen from among 40 participating colleges and universities at this year's American College Dance Association Regional Conference). In the summer of 2016 "As It Had Been Done" was selected to represent the West Region of the United States at the National Dance Conference at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
High School Open House
- For over 20 years, Theatre Arts has opened our doors to high school students from across the Central Valley and central coast to give prospective students the chance to meet our faculty, take workshops, experience a final dress rehearsal performance at University Theatre, and discover more about theatre, dance, and campus life at Fresno State. The day includes scholarship auditions and interviews for prospective Fresno State students. In Fall 2015, 25 high schools participated with over 275 students in attendance.
How to Give Online
Click on this Give Now link to go to the University's secure, online donation form.
Enter the desired amount, then check "Other" and write in "Theatre and Dance Department."
Ways to Give
Give by Phone
Please call our office at
559.278.8341
Give by Mail
Please mail check payable to Fresno State Foundation to:
College of Arts and Humanities
Development Office
2380 E. Keats Avenue
M/S MB99
Fresno CA 93740-8024