Theatre Arts Groups, Clubs & Organizations

As IWU's oldest philanthropic organization, Masquers' mission is to uplift underserved communities within the Bloomington-Normal community through events, activities, and fundraising. Throughout the years, Masquers has engaged in various charitable activities including serving meals at homeless shelters, visiting nursing homes, and collaborating with local organizations like Project Oz and Prairie Pride Coalition. Masquers also hosts the School of Theatre Arts' annual Holiday Celebration (aka Hol Cel) every December. Contact Marie Santogrossi (asantogr@iwu.edu) if interested in joining. 

The Phoenix Theatre is a student-run organization that provides students with the opportunity to produce, direct, and design their own shows and passion projects. Whether you are on the board and managing funds or producing shows, or acting in a new original musical, or designing lights for the first time, the Phoenix Theatre is meant to support students' creativity. It gives not only theatre students opportunities, but also non-SoTA students the chance to find joy in the arts! If you have any questions or are interested in joining you can reach out to phoenixtheatre0@gmail.com, Jack Berleman-Paul (jberlema@iwu.edu), Olivia Daoud (odaoud@iwu.edu), or Stephen Nickisch (snickisc@iwu.edu). 

The purpose of the Music Theatre Society is to give students an opportunity to help develop their skills and talents both on and off stage as performers, producers, directors, and administrators. MTS strives to empower students in the creation of live theatre, and to educate the student population in music theatre history by producing forgotten or lesser known musicals. MTS puts up a book-in-hand musical in a ten day rehearsal process. MTS was created to give students an opportunity to perform under different circumstances than our MainStage season, allowing students from outside the School of Theatre Arts, as well as first-year SoTA students a performance opportunity. In this endeavor, students on the MTS board learn what it takes to produce a musical. Contact Bella Rodriguez (irodrigu@iwu.edu) or Terria O’Neal (toneal@iwu.edu) if interested in joining!

Illinois Wesleyan's original improv comedy troupe, JM7*, started in 1995 and has been performing ever since. With a range of 6-9 members, JM7* does all forms of improv and performs every 3-4 weeks. JM7* teaches open improv classes intermittently throughout the year for anyone interested in learning more about the art form. Jm7* seeks to bring quality improv to the IWU and Bloomington community. As a troupe we encourage collaboration, spontaneity, and active listening among our members and audience. We also strive to educate the IWU community on this art form through open classes. Contact Asante Anglade (aanglade@iwu.edu) or Gabby Rosen (grosen@iwu.edu) if interested in joining. 

Each year in the Phoenix Theatre, we put on a quick and dirty cabaret boot camp, giving students of all majors a chance to hone their skills singing for an intimate crowd.

Shringara (n.) The sanskrit word for love and acceptance of all. 

Shringara is IWU’s multicultural theatre company. From Queer theatre to theatre derived from identity, Shringara’s mission is to produce art that depicts multicultural characters and stories, as well as creating space for folks of underrepresented communities. Shringara promotes acceptance through the artistic medium of theatre. The plays produced by Shringara have consisted of playwrights from many different cultures and backgrounds. Shringara has hosted events such as a play reading festival and student-written and produced work. Contact Daniel Porea Jr. (dporea@iwu.edu) if interested in joining.

Since 2021, Quickies has been writing, teaching, and performing sketch comedy for the campus community. Quickies performs twice a semester in an SNL-style sketch show with a twist: the audience picks the sketches! All Quickies members write, perform, and direct sketches. Membership in Quickies is dependent upon an audition. Auditions are open to all IWU students. No prior experience necessary! Contact Hannah Steck (hsteck@iwu.edu) if interested in joining. 

The Student Choreographed Dance Concert (SCDC) is an annual event that allows IWU students the opportunity to showcase their dance and choreographic skills and passion. SCDC allows students to choreograph and dance throughout the fall semester with a performance at the beginning of the spring semester. Through learning opportunities and student collaboration, this organization produces a full-fledged and student-run dance concert to be enjoyed by the IWU and Bloomington-Normal communities. Although SCDC has ties to the School of Theatre Arts, it is by no means exclusive to this group of students and it is encouraged to be inclusive of all majors, grade levels, and dance experience both on the board and in the company. Contact Jack Klein (jklein2@iwu.edu) if interested in joining.