School of Performing Arts

Artistic Inspiration

Avila Values.

Theatre

Avila Theatre has nurtured students interested in pursuing a career in acting, directing, design and technology or management for decades.

Department of Theatre >>

Photo of several actors in a student-led theatre production

Choral singers performing in an older church

Music

With an Avila music degree, you will have the musical foundation and performance experience you’ll need to take the stage, whether you sing or play an instrument.

Department of Music >>

Students practicing in the dance studio

Dance

The Avila Dance Department will teach any interested student the basic technical knowledge and cultural context of several dance styles, including tap, jazz, modern or ballet.

Dance Program >>


Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Minors


Contact

Matt Schwader Harbor, MFA, Chair of the School of Performing Arts; Associate Professor, Theatre; Director of Performance Studies
P: 816-501-2405 / E: matt.schwader

Home of the Arts

The Goppert Performing Arts Center

The Roderick J. & Jo Anne Cyr Grand Lobby

The Grand Lobby is at the center of it all. Pre-performance gatherings. Social functions. Informal learning. Post-performance conversations.

decorative

Goppert Performing Arts Center

The new “front door” to Avila’s campus.

The exterior of the Goppert Performing Arts Center in the fall

The Sue King Willcox Ph.D. Music Hall

Not only is the new choir space acoustically beautiful, the striking architecture and floor-to-ceiling windows create a truly inspired space for learning.

The Frantze Family Black Box Theatre

Nearly 2,000 square feet of performance and rehearsal space, this versatile 200-seat theatre space allows for smaller, more intimate performances.

black box stage

The Virginia C. and William D. Tompkins Rehearsal Hall

With two rehearsal spaces dance, music, tech, and theatre — each of Avila’s performing arts programs – will utilize these spaces as they prepare for the main stage.

Lone dancer rehearsing in front of mirror
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