Welcome Class of 2021

The Lewis Center is your Pathway to the Arts! This page offers information for incoming first year students interested in pursuing the arts while at Princeton.

A message from Michael Cadden, Chair of the Lewis Center

Fall 2017 Courses and Applications

Courses are offered at the Lewis Center for the Arts in Creative Writing, Dance, Film/Video, Music Theater, Theater, Visual Arts, and through the interdisciplinary Princeton Atelier. Certificates are awarded in the areas of Creative Writing, Dance, Music Theater, Theater, and Visual Arts (including Film).

CREATIVE WRITING

female students smiling seated at table in class Courses are offered at introductory and advanced levels in poetry, fiction, literary translation, and screenwriting. All creative writing courses require an application, which consists of a short writing sample; please see the guidelines. The online application will be available beginning August 1, 2017 with a deadline of Monday, September 11 at 5 p.m. Application decisions will be emailed to you by late afternoon on September 12 and you will be instructed to immediately select a class section, which are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Explore fall 2017 Creative Writing course offerings and consult this introduction for incoming first year students for further guidance. Questions about the program? Email Program Associate Noreen McAuliffe: noreenm@princeton.edu

 

DANCE

3 dancers leaping across stage to leftOpportunities & Auditions

Come dance before classes start! Meet dance faculty and guest choreographers at a series of master classes offered in new dance studios in the Wallace Dance Building and Theater on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10. Separate auditions for performance opportunities with guest choreographers will take place on Saturday, September 16, from 12 – 7 p.m.

Courses

Dance courses are offered in technique, choreography, history, criticism and aesthetics of dance at introductory, intermediate and advanced levels in the genres of modern, ballet, hip-hop and African dance. Some courses require an interview for pre-registration. Please attend a dance program info session in the Hearst Dance Theater on Monday, September 11, immediately following the main LCA Open House. Faculty and staff will also conduct informal studio tours and answer questions between 1-3 p.m. that day in the Hearst Dance Theater. A placement class for all students (all class years) interested in dance will be held on Tuesday, September 12, at 3 p.m. Following the class, faculty will walk you through the enrollment process and fall performance schedule. Placement decisions will be emailed to students by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 13. View fall 2017 Dance course offerings, and be sure to check out some important additional information regarding enrollment. Questions about the program? Email Program Associate Cindy Rosenfeld: cr17@princeton.edu

 

FILM/VIDEO

man holding video cameraWithin the Program in Visual Arts, courses are offered at introductory and intermediate levels in film and video production, filmmaking, screenwriting, film history and special topics in cinema. Courses in screenwriting and film/video production require an application for pre-registration. View fall 2017 Film/Video course offerings. Questions about the program? Email Program Associate Kristy Seymour: kseymour@princeton.edu

 

MUSIC THEATER

wolf whispers into little red's ear in Into the Woods

Auditions

In mid-September, the Programs in Theater and Music Theater will hold auditions for remaining roles in fall projects and productions, and in mid-October for the rest of a diverse season of 18 classic, contemporary, and student created pieces. Some student theater groups will also participate in these auditions. Performing roles, production, and design opportunities are available for first years students — a great way to dive in right away to Princeton’s exciting theater community! No experience required in any area. View the 2017-18 season line-up and check back in early September for more audition details. Also, be sure to check out an exciting schedule of student theater workshops planned for the fall. For design and crew opportunities, contact Program in Theater Director Jane Cox: Janecox@princeton.edu

Courses

The program offers courses at the nexus of music, theater, and dance, taught by faculty across the University as well as guest artists who teach, compose, write, create, perform, and research music theater’s various forms of music, dance, scripted text, and design. All Music Theater courses are open to first year students. View fall 2017 Music Theater course offerings. For information regarding enrolling in MTD 335, please contact Professor Jane Cox at (janecox@princeton.edu). Questions about the program? Email Program Associate Joe Fonseca: jfonseca@princeton.edu

 

THEATER

male and female hold hands at wedding ceremony

Auditions

In mid-September, the Programs in Theater and Music Theater will hold auditions for remaining roles in fall projects and productions, and in mid-October for the rest of a diverse season of 18 classic, contemporary, and student created pieces. Some student theater groups will also participate in these auditions. Performing roles, production, and design opportunities are available for first years students — a great way to dive in right away to Princeton’s exciting theater community! No experience required in any area. View the 2017-18 season line-up and check back in early September for more audition details. Also, be sure to check out an exciting schedule of student theater workshops planned for the fall. For design and crew opportunities, contact Program in Theater Director Jane Cox: Janecox@princeton.edu

Courses

Theater courses are offered at the introductory and intermediate levels in acting; directing; playwriting; lighting, costume and sound design; theater history and criticism; and special topics. View fall 2017 Theater course offeringsFor enrollment in THR 340, please contact Professor Brian Herrera (bherrera@princeton.edu). All other available courses are open enrollment for first year students via TigerHub, including THR 101 – Introduction to Theater Making (recommended for freshmen and sophomores), THR 201, and THR 205. Questions about the program? Email Program Associate Joe Fonseca: jfonseca@princeton.edu

 

VISUAL ARTS

abstract scene of rolls of large photographsCourses are offered at introductory and advanced levels in drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, sculpture, printmaking, and art theory, criticism and aesthetics. All 200-level VIS courses are open enrollment; but some visual arts courses require an application for pre-registration. View fall 2017 Visual Arts course offerings. Questions about the program? Email Program Associate Kristy Seymour: kseymour@princeton.edu

 

PRINCETON ATELIER

man lying on astroturfUnique, one-time interdisciplinary courses are offered, taught by Princeton faculty and professional guest artists focusing on the collaborative creation of new work. Atelier courses are open to all first year students. For interest in ATL 498, please contact Jayce Ogren at: jayceogren@me.com. ATL 499 is open enrollment within TigerhubView fall 2017 Atelier course offerings and applications. Questions about the program? Email princeton-atelier@princeton.edu

 

MUSIC

For information on programs of study and courses in music, visit the Department of Music’s website.

 

FRESHMAN OPEN HOUSE

lewis arts complex model

The Lewis Center will host an Open House on Monday, September 11, at 9 a.m. in the Wallace Theater at the new Lewis Arts complex. Come meet the faculty and learn more about how to enroll in arts courses for the fall.

We will also have a table at the Academic Expo on Monday, September 11, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Lewis Center faculty will also lead an info session during the Expo in Frick A81 from 11:00-11:45 a.m.

PEER ARTS ADVISORS

Have questions? Talk to a student peer advisor! Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors are ready to share insights about challenges they have experienced pursuing the arts, particularly as students of color and other underrepresented groups, including LGBTQIA students, first-generation college students, students with disabilities, students from religious minorities, recent immigrants, low-income students, and students whose parent first language is not English. Don’t let anything get in your way of pursuing your dreams in the arts! View a list of student peer advisor profiles and learn how to connect.

 The Peer Student Advisor Group is an initiative of the Lewis Center’s Race and the Arts Committee.

DON'T MISS THE FUN!

Sign up to receive a weekly email update on arts events happening at the Lewis Center. Join your fellow Princetonians at over 100 performances, exhibitions, readings, screenings and lectures offered each year by the Lewis Center, most of them free.

Ticketed events are priced at only $11 for students and are Tiger Ticket eligible through the Passport to the Arts program, which makes them free to you! Just show your TigerCard at the box office – your Tiger Tickets are credited on your TigerCard.

A NEW ERA FOR THE ARTS

Class of 2021, you will be the first freshman class to stretch the limits of your imaginations in the major, new Lewis Arts complex with state-of-the-art performance, rehearsal, exhibition and studio spaces! Join the campus and regional community in celebrating the opening of this important addition to Princeton’s creative community in A Festival of the Arts being held October 5-8. Professional guest artists, faculty, students and alumni will present dozens of concerts, plays, readings, dance performances, art exhibitions, workshops, and site-specific events throughout the campus. View more details at LCAopening.princeton.edu

Questions?

Please don't be shy -- contact us if you have any questions about Lewis Center programs, courses, and performance opportunities. Consult our faculty and staff directories and feel free to send an inquiry.

Alumni POV

Learn more about Princeton alumni working in the arts by exploring recent videos in our Alumni POV series