Prospective Students

Lewis Center for the Arts Minor Program FAQs

General Questions
Course Questions
Creative Writing
Dance
Theater & Music Theater
Visual Arts
Princeton Atelier

 

General Questions

What is the Lewis Center for the Arts (LCA)?

The LCA is the academic unit that houses Princeton’s Programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Theater & Music Theater, Visual Arts, and the Princeton Atelier. The LCA also presents more than 120 arts events each year.

Where is the Lewis Center for the Arts?

Most of the LCA’s venues, classrooms and offices are housed in one of three sites that stretch across Princeton’s main campus: New South, 185 Nassau Street, and the Lewis Arts complex. Students enrolled in LCA courses often have 24/7 access to state-of-the-art studios and rehearsal spaces. The LCA also presents performances in the Berlind Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. Explore our venues & studios

What can I do right now if I am interested in pursuing a minor with the Lewis Center?

Review the minors information for each program on the website. Contact the Program Associate for the minor you expect to pursue so that they can keep you up to date on special events, opportunities and deadlines of particular relevance to students pursuing a minor. View the list of program staff members

 

Course Questions

What if I’m interested in a course but I don’t have much (or any) previous experience in the arts?

Whatever your prior experience, you are our ideal student. All LCA courses aim to deepen your engagement with the arts, whatever your previous experience level. Courses at the 100- or 200-level can give an especially rich start. LCA 101 is a sampler of all the different programs: Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Visual Arts, and Theater. Some upper-level courses (and many Atelier classes) might be right for you as well. Take the plunge and just see where it leads you!

Are there auditions or tryouts for LCA courses?

As a general rule: no — though some courses do require interested students to apply or to interview.
There is a Placement Class for the course “Princeton Dance Festival: Choreography and Performance” (typically on the day before Fall courses begin) to match students to an appropriately challenging choreographic style and process. Some specialized or advanced courses might require interviews (by email or in person); others might ask for work samples; and some upper level courses have pre-requisites. Just follow the instructions on the registrar’s course page to begin the process! Students can participate in certain Theater & Music Theater Program shows for credit, in performing and non-performing roles. Students interested in participating in program shows must attend a Try On Theater day, offered multiple times a year.

Do all LCA courses meet the LA distribution requirement?

Some do, but not all. A great many LCA courses will help you meet your LA requirement, but every semester there are courses offered in most distribution areas.

Why are some LCA courses PDF-only and others NPDF?

Every LCA course requires your serious investment of time, attention and energy during and beyond scheduled class meetings. Each program determines which evaluation structure best supports your success in meeting the specific expectations of each particular course. Remember that PDF-only courses are exempted from your allotment of allowed PDFs, whether tallied within a specific semester or your entire time at Princeton.

Can I take an LCA class as a fifth class?

Absolutely. LCA classes are often an ideal option for a fifth course, especially if in a discipline you enjoy (and especially if you’re planning to pursue a minor). Most LCA courses tap into different parts of your intellect and imagination than other courses, so an LCA class can sometimes help provide balance within even the most demanding course load (Reminder: University policy prohibits first-year AB students from taking five courses in their first semester at Princeton; first-year BSE students can enroll in five courses in their first semester, provided they obtain the approval of their academic advisor.)

What if the course I want to take has no more spots for first year students?

Many LCA courses maintain limited enrollments. If you find yourself closed out of a course you really want to take, it might make sense either to wait for the course to be offered in a future semester or to explore other courses offered by the Program. Many LCA courses have a wait list link in the listing; please use that to add your name and information. But it is also worth contacting the Program Associate, Program Director or Course Instructor to inquire about your enrollment options.

What if I missed the application deadline for a course?

All is not lost — but first you have to send an email. For courses in all programs, reach out to the Course Instructor or Program Director to inquire about current enrollment options for the course. If you’re not sure who to email, contact LewisCenter@princeton.edu and we’ll help you connect with the right person. Just send that email!

Why are there no reviews of the course I’m considering?

An absence of reviews is often an indication that the course and/or the instructor are comparatively new to Princeton’s course catalog. Many LCA courses are offered by distinguished artists and scholars who are in residence at Princeton for a comparatively short time. Some are new courses developed in direct response to student interest. Still other courses are one-time opportunities that will never be offered again. Don’t let a course’s lack of reviews discourage you from checking it out for yourself!

I want to take a class that meets at two different times on the same day. I have a conflict in the afternoon, but not in the evening. How do I sign up for the evening section of this class?

Look again at the registrar’s section-listing for your desired course. It is not uncommon for a single VIS course to have two multi-hour class meetings on the same day, or for a single THR course to meet at two totally different times on two totally different days. If the section listing is the same for both meeting times, you will be expected to be present at both listed times in order to enroll in the course.

 

Creative Writing Questions

I might want to pursue a Creative Writing minor at the Lewis Center for the Arts. What should I do in my first four semesters?

  1. Plan to take at least two 200-level Creative Writing workshop courses.
  2. Look into whether the “Creative Writing” track in the English Department might be right for you.

The minor requires 5 courses, plus substantial independent work during senior year. Any course cross-listed with CWR, and up to 2 courses from other departments, such as Comp Lit and English, with a creative writing or translation emphasis, can count towards the 5-course minor requirement.

Will every interested student be accepted into the CWR minor program?

Acceptance to the CWR minor program is selective and by application only the during the spring of junior year.

I’m interested in Screenwriting. How do I pursue that?

Applicants to the Screenwriting track in CWR must have taken at least one 200/300-level workshop in poetry, fiction or translation and at least two courses in screenwriting.

 

Dance Questions

I might want to pursue a Dance minor at the Lewis Center for the Arts. What should I do in my first four semesters?

  1. Plan to take at least two dance courses.
  2. Get involved in performing, designing, or collaborating with senior independent projects and Princeton Dance Festival.
  3. Take co-curricular classes, go to performances.

The dance minor requires 5 courses plus student show support.*

*All students pursuing DAN, THR & MTD minors are expected to have a plan to complete a certain number of student show support hours by the end of their junior year. Students are strongly encouraged to start these hours during their first four semesters.

Will every interested student be accepted into the DAN minor program?

Students should enroll in the minor program during the second term of the sophomore year, but no later than the end of the fall term of junior year. We recommend that students complete at least two of the required courses before enrollment in the minor program.

To enroll in the dance minor, students submit an online application that details the courses they have taken, the performances they have participated in, if they have completed their student show support requirements, and a plan of when and how they will fulfill the remaining requirements. Students hoping to pursue independent work in performance or choreography must also apply separately in the spring of their junior year and meet the specific requirements for respective independent work.

 

Theater & Music Theater Questions

I might want to pursue a Theater & Music Theater minor at the Lewis Center for the Arts. What should I do in my first four semesters?

  1. Plan to take THR/MTD 101. The minor requires 5 courses, including THR/MTD 101 and a course that fulfills our dramaturgy and performance analysis requirement, and Student Show Support.*
  2. Attend a Try On Theater day to explore participating in theater-making in performing & production roles.
  3. Consider fulfilling your Student Show Support requirements.*
  4. Consider choosing a focus: theater, music theater, community engaged theater or performance studies.
  5. Look into whether related tracks in the Music or English Departments might be right for you.

*All students pursuing DAN, THR & MTD minors are expected to have a plan to complete a certain number of student show support hours by the end of their junior year. Students are strongly encouraged to start these hours during their first four semesters.

Will every interested student be accepted in the THR + MTD minor program?

Yes, those students interested in pursuing the minor can declare at any time but must declare by end of the fall term of the junior year.

 

Visual Arts Questions

I might want to pursue a VIS minor at the Lewis Center for the Arts. What should I do in my first four semesters?

  1. Plan to take at least two studio courses in Visual Arts and one course in Art & Archaeology.
  2. Look into whether majoring in Art & Archaeology’s Practice of Art track might be right for you.
  3. Come to a VIS Information Session, held twice a year, for program details.

The minor requires 7 courses, plus substantial independent work during senior year.

Will every interested student be accepted into the VIS minor program?

Acceptance to the VIS minor program is selective and by application only during Sophomore Spring. Read VIS application guidelines

I’m interested in Filmmaking. How do I pursue that?

To pursue the film/video track in VIS, be sure that at least one of your three required studio courses is in film production and that you take at least one course in Film History/Theory (either in place of or in addition to the required Art & Archaeology course).

 

 

Princeton Atelier Questions

What are Atelier courses?

Atelier courses are among the most extraordinary curricular opportunities you’ll have at Princeton. Founded by Professor Emerita Toni Morrison, the Atelier provides Princeton students the opportunity to work directly in collaboration with some of the most exciting artists from all disciplines and from all parts of the world. Atelier courses are usually unusual, unpredictable and only ever offered once. So, if you see an Atelier that excites your imagination, don’t hesitate — enroll immediately!