Contact us to learn more about the Integrative Arts program.
Why Major in Integrative Arts?
At Penn State Altoona, Integrative Arts is where the performing artists find their home. The Integrative Arts major allows you to pursue your interest in the performing arts, and all other art forms, in a way that is unique to you. Through specific tracks of study designed in Creative Writing, Dance, Music Production, Theatre, and Vocal Performance, and the opportunity for nontraditional artists to create unique tracks, you are able to follow your passion into your future. With the assistance of an adviser, you will create a proposal and plan of course work that help you meet your goals, be it graduate school or specific career aspirations.
Options and Opportunities
The Creative Writing track includes courses in fiction and non-fiction writing, poetry, and nature writing, as well as critical theory and literature. You also may work with the Emerging Writers in Residence program, as well as gain editorial experience through the student literary magazine.
The Dance track gives you the opportunity to focus on either dance performance or dance production. Performance includes technique, body awareness, and creative process courses, as well as some backstage production courses. Production involves more backstage courses to assist the dancer in learning to speak the language necessary to produce work.
The Music Production track includes theory, composition, sound production, and recording courses to round out the full production experience of the musician interested in producing work.
The Theatre Performance track offers courses in performance technique and performance opportunities. This track opens up the entire backstage and production elements to the student, including lighting, sound, set and costume design and construction, and stage management.
The Vocal Performance track highlights a number of genres of music. Theory and vocal instruction will provide the basis for the many performance opportunities available.
Opportunities abound for involvement. There is a minimum of two productions every year in dance, theatre, and vocal performance. In addition, you can get involved in dance, vocal, and musical ensembles, a literary magazine, and a student newspaper.