Northwestern State University Mission:
Northwestern State University is a responsive, student-oriented institution that is committed to the creation, dissemination, and acquisition of knowledge through teaching, research, and service. The University maintains as its highest priority excellence in teaching in graduate and undergraduate programs. Northwestern State University prepares its students to become productive members of society and promotes economic development and improvements in the quality of life of the citizens in its region.

Northwestern State University Theatre/Dance Unit Mission:
Consistent with the Northwestern State University mission, the Theatre/Dance program of the Northwestern Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts seeks to assist students with the acquisition of skills and knowledge in theatrical arts necessary to meet their professional, social and personal needs. Through interaction of the arts, Northwestern Theatre/Dance desires to broaden the possibilities of self-development for all students and extend its influence in the region served by the University, thus culturally enriching the area. 

The Theatre/Dance Unit is one of three departments in the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts, the others being art and music, and desires through its baccalaureate program to achieve the following goals.

• Prepare students for careers in theatre and dance.
• Encourage development of creative and performance capabilities of students and faculty.
• Provide for the cultural enrichment of the individual, University and community.
• Provide services to the University and the community.

The Theatre/Dance program seeks to attain these goals through the following objectives:

1. Prepare students for careers in theatre and dance.
   1. Provide a comprehensive theatre/dance curriculum that prepares the student for the demands of professional theatre and dance.
   2. Help students understand the literature, structures, theories and artistic contexts of theatre and dance throughout history and into the present time, to enhance their appreciation and performance of diverse theatrical/dance styles, forms and genres.
   3. Provide students with the necessary theatre/dance skills to become artist-teachers.
   4. Prepare students who desire further study with the skills to pursue advanced degrees.
   5. Engage students in theatre and dance through training and experiences that expand their theatrical/dance skills and professional opportunities.
2. Encourage development of creativity and performance capabilities of students and faculty.
   1. Train students in the fine arts of theatrical performance, design and technology, and dance through applied study with opportunities for practical application of acquired skills 
   2. Allow students opportunities to practice their skills in theatrical performance, design and technology, and dance through major dramatic and musical productions, smaller laboratory productions and student performed/directed experimental works.
   3. Provide an outlet for students who are not theatre majors to participate in theatre/dance training and activities.
   4. Offer a theatrically dynamic environment where students can hear, see and experience theatre/dance events performed by their peers, faculty and guest artists.
   5. Create an environment where faculty members are encouraged to participate in creative projects that will enhance their professional development and provide a model for students.
3. Provide cultural enrichment of the individual, University and community.
   1. Help theatre/dance and non-theatre/dance students learn to appreciate the value of arts in their lives.
   2. Promote and encourage faculty development in artistic and scholarly endeavors. 
   3. Provide a substantial artistic and cultural outlet to the general student, as well as the University, community and regional populations through the performing arts. 
4. Provide services to the University and community.
   1. Serve as a regional resource center for the promotion and production of the performing arts. 
   2. Serve as a regional resource center for colleagues, other colleges and universities; elementary and secondary education programs and educators through course offerings, outreach performances, and performances of significant dramatic literature.
   3. Offer the services and scholarship of the theatre and dance faculty, staff and students to the populations served by the University.
   4. Help students through caring and personalized guidance and academic advising to develop skills in self-discipline, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication.