Although Ithaca College does offer some theater courses and invites non-majors to audition for running shows, the opportunities available in theater production, rehearsal and performance for students outside the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance or non-performance majors can be challenging to access. The lack of performance and production options for non-MTD students — and even non-performance majors within the School of MTD — restricts overall campus engagement, creative development and community building.
The MTD website outlines how non-major students can involve themselves in the arts, including music, theater and dance options. Options range from classes to performances and backstage work, to even a minor in one of the programs within MTD.
Though students from any school are allowed to participate, in practice, productions are limited in numbers, scope and equitable access; the existence of the audition and production space does not equate to meaningful access.
The Ithaca College Performing Arts Collective was created by students in Spring 2025 to give students a place to engage with theater outside of the school’s program. The group has collaborated with IC’s existing theater troupes, Harmony Theatre Collective and Macabre Theatre Ensemble, to bring more opportunities both on and off stage to non-MTD majors, allowing non-performing arts students the opportunity to continue pursuing theater.
Students outside of the MTD programs also face structural disadvantages compared to their MTD major peers. Many MTD courses are reserved specifically for MTD majors, meaning that anyone outside the school cannot take the class; although some non-major classes do exist, they are not guaranteed to lead to any meaningful production role.
Working either on stage, in an ensemble, or behind the scenes are required for many MTD majors, meaning that they have curricular incentives and likely departmental priority. Non-majors are not actively recruited or made aware of all opportunities, leading to even fewer students outside of the major coming to the audition room.
When theater opportunities are mostly closed or are not as easily accessible for non-theater majors, it can create a campus culture in which some students feel peripheral to the theater arts community.
Theater productions are a missed chance for non-major students to explore theater, build communication skills and confidence and collaborate with peers. Less diverse participation in the music, theater and dance programs means less cross-pollination of ideas, fewer voices being heard and an overall weaker campus arts ecosystem.
IC’s performance departments should create more spaces for non-majors to engage with theater through performances and production. By opening theater and production participation to all majors more fully, IC can foster a more inclusive and dynamic campus arts community.
Deborah Messing • Nov 17, 2025 at 3:49 pm
Although Ithaca College does offer some Neurology courses and invites non-majors to apply for Study Labs, the opportunities available in Neurology Study, Laboratory Work, and Surgical Application for students outside the School of Health Science and Human Performance or non-surgical majors can be challenging to access. The lack of laboratory and surgical options for non-HSHP students — and even non-surgical majors within the School of HSHP — restricts overall campus engagement, creative development and community building.
The HSHP website outlines how non-major students can involve themselves in the sciences, including labs, studies and research options. Options range from classes to studies and laboratory work, to even a minor in one of the programs within HSHP.
Though students from any school are allowed to participate, in practice, labs are limited in numbers, scope and equitable access; the existence of the application and laboratory space does not equate to meaningful access.
The Ithaca College Surgical Arts Collective was created by students in Spring 2025 to give students a place to engage with neurology outside of the school’s program. The group has collaborated with IC’s existing neurology troupes, Harmony Nuero Collective and Macabre Brain Ensemble, to bring more opportunities both in and out of laboratory to non-HSHP majors, allowing non-neurology students the opportunity to continue pursuing neurological science.
Students outside of the HSHP programs also face structural disadvantages compared to their HSHP major peers. Many HSHP courses are reserved specifically for HSHP majors, meaning that anyone outside the school cannot take the class; although some non-major classes do exist, they are not guaranteed to lead to any meaningful surgical role.
Working either in the lab, with a medical team, or on a professional study are required for many HSHP majors, meaning that they have curricular incentives and likely departmental priority. Non-majors are not actively recruited or made aware of all opportunities, leading to even fewer students outside of the major submitting surgical applications.
When surgical opportunities are mostly closed or are not as easily accessible for non-neurology majors, it can create a campus culture in which some students feel peripheral to the science arts community.
Laboratory surgeries are a missed chance for non-major students to explore neurology, build communication skills and confidence and collaborate with peers. Less diverse participation in the Health Science and Human Performance programs means less cross-pollination of ideas, fewer voices being heard and an overall weaker campus science ecosystem.
IC’s science departments should create more spaces for non-majors to engage with neurology through laboratory surgeries and studies. By opening neurology and laboratory participation to all majors more fully, IC can foster a more inclusive and dynamic campus science community.