As a Bethany theatre major, you will choose an emphasis in production or performance. In theatre production you will focus on sound and lighting design, set design and construction, stage management, and directing. In theatre performance, you will study theatre history, read and discuss literature, and focus on the art of acting.
Multiple trips to the Twin Cities’ Ordway and Guthrie Theater complement classroom learning, and four annual theatre productions on the Bethany stage provide a chance for you to demonstrate your abilities both on and off stage. In addition to creative development, our theatre department is distinctive in encouraging Christian theatre artists who understand the influence of performance and make ethical decisions
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Theatre Faculty
These faculty members teach many of the courses that comprise the theatre major, as well as directing or assisting with theatrical performances.
| Name | Title | Office / Phone | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Bloedel YFAC 208 507-344-7369 | Professor | YFAC 208 507-344-7369 | |
 | Matt Caron YFAC 101 | Adjunct Faculty | YFAC 101 | |
 | Benji Inniger MH 305 507-344-7335 | Adjunct Faculty | MH 305 507-344-7335 | |
 | Emily Kimball YFAC 100 507-344-7371 | Assistant Professor | YFAC 100 507-344-7371 | |
 | Philip Wels | Supervisor Scene ShopAdjunct Faculty | | |
Scholarships
Acting scholarships and Technical Theatre scholarships are available. Students are encouraged to audition and/or apply. See the Scholarships page or contact the Financial Aid office for more information.
Senior Theatre Projects and Internships
Theatre students have the option of producing a senior project that allows them to integrate what they have learned about the various facets of theatre arts. These students also have the option of participating in an internship. The internship option gives students real-world exposure and perspective to prepare them for their professional lives.
Skills and Potential Careers
An education in theatre is imbued with a myriad of employable skills like:
- Management
- Elocution / Public speaking
- Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Interpersonal Communication
- Collaboration
- Design
- Creativity
- Idea Generation / Implementation
- Product Development
- Construction
With these skills our theatre graduates have found careers as:
- Actors
- Directors
- Stage Managers
- Theatre Managers
- Lighting Designers
- Sound Designers
- Scenic Designers
- Costume Designers
- Broadcasters
- Critics
- Lawyers
- Historians
- Visual Artists
- Church Workers / Clergy
- Business People / Managers
- Interior Designers
- Advertisers
- Landscape Designers
- Educators
- Architects
- Financiers
Theatre Major Academic Requirements
Mission Statement
The Bethany Lutheran College Theatre Department strives to nurture and support the development of exemplary and well-rounded theatre artists who are able to employ their creative and academic gifts with wisdom, discernment, and an understanding of art’s potential as a gift of God. A distinctively personal, Christ-centered approach to instruction in the theatre arts is the foundation of the department’s existence. Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge academically, philosophically, and creatively, through classroom engagements, theatrical productions, and other specialized projects.
Program Learning Outcomes
The Bethany Lutheran College Theatre department strives to instruct and encourage ethical Christian artists within the Theatre Arts. The Theatre Major aims to produce graduates who:
- demonstrate a working knowledge and a creative proficiency of the production elements and processes within: design, direction, construction, management, dramaturgy and performance, through original thought and innovation.
- will be able to employ a variety of critical approaches to history, literature, theory, and the social significance of theatre art.
- recognize the power and influence of performance, and make ethical, thoughtful, and critical choices consistent with Biblical Christian principles.
- will be able to effectively employ research and bibliographic materials appropriate to the discipline.
The Bethany theatre major, in accordance with the liberal arts philosophy, approaches this discipline from a broad based perspective. Within the major guidelines a student may choose an emphasis in theatre production or performance.
Core Requirements
Required lower division courses (15 credits required):
- THTR100 Production Involvement (Repeatable) 2 cr.
- THTR101 Introduction to Theatre 3 cr.
- THTR102 Acting I 3 cr.
- THTR210 Directing I 3 cr.
- THTR215 Fundamentals of Stagecraft & Design 3 cr.
Choose one additional Performance Emphasis course (3 credits required):
Additional credits beyond 3 may be applied to Major Electives
Choose two additional Design Emphasis courses (6 credits required):
Additional credits beyond 6 may be applied to Major Electives
- THTR320 Scene Design 3 cr.
- THTR360 Lighting Design 3 cr.
- THTR380 Sound Design 3 cr.
- THTR390 Costume Design 3 cr.
Choose one additional Advanced Creative Emphasis course (3 credits required):
Additional credits beyond 3 may be applied to Major Electives
- THTR410 Directing II 3 cr.
- THTR430 Playwriting 3 cr.
Required upper division courses (21 credits required):
- THTR300 Theatre Practicum (Repeatable) 3 cr.
- THTR310 Theatre History and Literature I 3 cr.
- THTR311 Theatre History and Literature II 3 cr.
- THTR330 Period Style 3 cr.
- THTR420 Dramatic Theory and Criticism 3 cr.
- THTR460 Theatre Management 3 cr.
- THTR495 Theatre Capstone (Repeatable) 3 cr.
Major Electives
Choose at least three of the following (minimum of 9 credits):
- ARTS452 Contemporary Issues in Art 3 cr.
- COMM360 Visual Communication 3 cr.
- ENGL321 Shakespeare 3 cr.
- MUSC335 Music Theatre 3 cr.
- MUSC435 Opera and Lyric Theatre 3 cr.
- THTR280 Intermediate Topics in Theatre (repeatable by topic) 1–3 cr.
- THTR480 Advanced Topics in Theatre (repeatable by topic) 1–3 cr.
Any additional performance, design, or advanced production emphasis not completed for core requirements (3-9 credits)
The minor in theatre requires the following:
- THTR100 Production Involvement (Repeatable) 2 cr.
- THTR101 Introduction to Theatre 3 cr.
- THTR300 Theatre Practicum (Repeatable) 1–2 cr.
- THTR495 Theatre Capstone (Repeatable) 1–3 cr.
Two of the following (6 credits):
- THTR102 Acting I 3 cr.
- THTR210 Directing I 3 cr.
- THTR215 Fundamentals of Stagecraft & Design 3 cr.
- THTR240 Vocal Production and Interpretation 3 cr.
One of the following Theatre History course (3 credits required):
Choose one additional Design Emphasis course (3 credits required):
Additional credits beyond 6 may be applied to Major Electives
- THTR320 Scene Design 3 cr.
- THTR360 Lighting Design 3 cr.
- THTR380 Sound Design 3 cr.
- THTR390 Costume Design 3 cr.
Choose two of the following electives:
- ENGL321 Shakespeare 3 cr.
- MUSC335 Music Theatre 3 cr.
- MUSC435 Opera and Lyric Theatre 3 cr.
- THTR280 Intermediate Topics in Theatre (repeatable by topic) 1–3 cr.
- THTR330 Period Style 3 cr.
- THTR410 Directing II 3 cr.
- THTR420 Dramatic Theory and Criticism 3 cr.
- THTR430 Playwriting 3 cr.
- THTR460 Theatre Management 3 cr.
- THTR480 Advanced Topics in Theatre (repeatable by topic) 1–3 cr.
To view the most recent course list and requirements for the Theatre major, please consult the Academic Catalog.
Next Steps
Interested in studying at Bethany? Scheduling a campus visit is a great way to see what we have to offer. You can meet professors or sit in on a class too! Contact our admissions office to learn more.