Home Page - Performing Arts

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Tigers Helping Tigers

A virtual fundraising event on June 25 featuring performing artists. 

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Expression for Everyone

Performing arts at a university known around the world for its excellence in science and tech? You better believe it. By combining the constantly innovative nature of technology with traditional art and performance, we are breaking new ground in the realm of artistic experience.

The benefits of performing arts can be viewed in many ways—a dynamic discipline, creative outlet, tool for wellness, and spellbinding spectacle. We specialize in exploring unexpected connections between music, theater, dance, and other academic disciplines—like animating a scene that accompanies an orchestral performance, or designing and building moving set pieces for a play.

Our students put what they learn in the classroom, what they feel inside, and what they are passionate about to use in creative and unique ways while having fun working alongside others as enthusiastic as they are.

So whether you’re a cellist here to study engineering, or a theater club pro majoring in museum studies, RIT’s performing arts have something to offer.

Statistics

1,000+

students participate in performing arts each year

27

theater, dance, music, or other arts organizations perform on campus

60

music and theater courses are offered at RIT

Engineers pursue performance, techies tackle the humanities, and artists learn to code.

RIT students singing on stage.

RIT students singing on stage.

Performing Arts Scholarship

You're interested in more than just your major. You have a love and a talent for singing, acting, dancing, or playing music. At RIT, we not only hope you'll continue participating in the performing arts, we absolutely encourage it through the Performing Arts Scholarship.

Learn More about the Performing Arts Scholarship

Facilities

Collage of 2 images: left shows exterior of the SHED at dusk, right shows interior of the SHED atrium with students sitting at tables and walking around.

The SHED

The Student Hall for Exploration and Development (the SHED), a 100,000-plus-square-foot facility, will become the epicenter of what RIT represents with a huge makerspace, a black-box theater, a dance studio, and music rehearsal spaces.

Learn more about the Student Hall for Exploration and Development

A rendering of the new Music Performance Theater, rendered by Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc. Los Angeles.

Music Performance Theater

Construction of a two-theater complex has just begun. The smaller theater with approximately 800 seats will house musical theater, including a historic organ. We seek to add a 1,500-seat orchestra hall for larger audiences in a second phase.

Learn more about the Music Performance Theater

Season Announcement Banner

2025/2026 Joint Theatrical and Dance Season

See the season and get involved!

Message from the President

David Munson

RIT is striving to develop the leading performing arts program in the nation for non-majors. We are seeking the most talented and creative students who can continue their passions for music, dance, theater, and the arts. RIT is a place where you can exercise your multiple talents, satisfy your thirst for learning and for doing, and experiment along the way. We’re always on to something. And we’re having fun along the way.

Dr. David C. Munson Jr.
RIT President

Ovation Banner

Ovation: RIT Performing Arts Showcase

The Jive, jazz combo, takes top honors at Ovation 2025

Portraits of Performance

  • Ted Canning playing the steel drums during a Steelband Ensemble practice session.

    The Excitement of Live Performance

    Ted Canning
    Adjunct faculty
    Director of Steelband Ensemble

    For Professor Ted Canning, music is a universal language anyone can learn. No matter your major, no matter your level of experience, you can make music part of your life at RIT.

  • Fred Beam and another actor signing.

    Visual Exploration

    Fred Beam '85

    As outreach coordinator for Sunshine 2.0, a theater group at RIT's National Institute for the Deaf, Beam and his troupe provide performances and activities for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adults that highlight the fields of deaf culture, literacy, and STEM.

  • Becky Jasen playing the cello.

    The Power of Music

    Becky Jasen
    Physician Assistant

    Jasen is a physician assistant major and the music director for RIT Players. She is applying her passion for music to research that studied how music can reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric patients.

  • Claire Wilcox looking at a monitor with an animation program open.

    A New Way to Tell Stories

    Claire Wilcox
    Undeclared Art and Design

    By combining the performing arts with technology and design, Claire Wilcox is creating a storytelling dynamic that engages technology to share stories on film and on stage.

  • Professor Jonathan Kruger composing music.

    Evoking Emotion Through Music

    Jonathan Kruger
    Professor

    A difficult task to accomplish, yet a joy to teach, Kruger enjoys composing for visual mediums. As chair of the Department of Performing Arts, Krugar focuses on enhancing a scene with music while keeping the audience immersed in the medium.

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Two RIT performers dancing on stage.

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