The Department of Theatre and Dance at the College of the Holy Cross is a fully accredited member institution of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). The Department offers students an integrated training program in a liberal arts environment. Our theatrical season provides numerous performance and design opportunities. We mount three fully produced, faculty-directed mainstage productions, two student-directed one-act festivals in our experimental space, two Balinese performance pieces, a dance concert, and numerous presentations by studio classes. Students who have passed through the Department have fared well beyond the bounds of Holy Cross. Our students have been admitted into highly selective graduate programs in acting, directing, dramatic literature, lighting design and film studies. Holy Cross grads work as professional actors, directors, designers, and stage managers.

The Alternate College Theatre (ACT) is one of the largest and oldest student groups at Holy Cross.  Composed of undergraduates who love theatre—both majors and non-majors—ACT provides a venue for students to put their training to work.  Students are responsible for all aspects of production: directing, designing and producing as well as performing.   Each year ACT mounts two productions (a play and a musical) and hosts a Cabaret Night in the spring.  The Department of Theatre provides artistic advice and technical supervision, but otherwise it is a sink-or-swim operation dependent upon the talent and dedication of students.