Arts
Theatre
Our award-winning theatre department produces four, high-quality shows each year, giving students from across campus opportunities to perform on stage or work in a wide-array of technical aspects of theatre.
Upcoming Events
Where Every Student Can Step Into the Spotlight—On Stage or Behind the Scenes
Every Bethany student has the opportunity to audition for an acting role or to join a production crew. This includes set building, scene painting, lighting, sound, costumes, make-up, box office, publicity, running crews, and stage managing.
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.
The Bethany Theatre Department produces at least four major shows each year: Theatre Physics, Fall Play, Choraliers, and Spring Play. We hope you can join us!
Theatre Courses
This is a listing of theatre (THTR) classes currently offered at Bethany. Not all courses are available every semester. For more information on theatre programs, see the Theatre page.
Theatre Physics
A lasting tradition in the Bethany theater is the biennial production of Theatre Physics. The show is a Vaudeville-style study of experimental theatre. With an emphasis on humor and unusual physical antics, the show is well-attended by students and faculty alike. Theatre Department director Peter Bloedel produces the show.
September 2025
Fall Play
The Fall Play is held each November, the second of four theatre productions held each year at Bethany. Tickets are available from the Bethany Box Office.
November 2025
Choraliers
Bethany’s Choraliers (a music and theatre department collaboration) present a musical theatre production each February of a classic Broadway musical or operetta. Musicals by Gershwin, Gilbert and Sullivan, Lerner and Loewe, Porter, Rogers and Hammerstein and the like have been performed to sold-out crowds. The cast typically has 75 to 100 participants, and rehearsals begin late in the fall semester. Tickets are available from the Bethany Box Office
January – February 2026
Spring Play
The Spring Play is held each April, the fourth of four theatre productions held each year at Bethany. Tickets are available from the Bethany Box Office.
April 2026
Looking for Other Productions?
If you’d like to see previous or additional pop-up productions, access or Productions page for a running list of all performed and upcoming performances!
Theater Facilities
Support Theatre at Bethany
Do you dig what we’re doing? Do you appreciate what Bethany Theatre adds to the Mankato arts scene? Do you like the production quality, the hospitality, the creativity, or just the experience of seeing shows at BLC?
Consider becoming a donor to Bethany Theatre by joining the BLC Theatre Contributors Circle.
The generous support of friends, family, and fans of Bethany Theatre is a commitment to the continued quality of our productions. We would love your support, and we’d love to recognize your contribution. (Gifts given before Sept. 30 each year will be included in that season’s playbills. Theatre season runs from November–April each year)
Levels of Giving
- The Legacy Circle – $1000+
- The Directors Circle – $750+
- The Ylvisaker Circle – $500+
- The Partner Circle – $250+
- The Fan Circle – $100+
If you would like to be a part of what we’re doing or would like more information, please contact Professor Peter Bloedel. If you are interested in a one-time or recurring donation, you can do that securely on the BLC Donations page and type “theatre” in the designation box. Any amount is greatly appreciated and will go directly to supporting the BLC Theatre Department and its mission.
Our 2023-24 Theatre Season Contributors
Denis and Barb Becker
Char Bezanson
Bill and Sherri Bukowski
Dan and Emily Christensen
Eric and Rhonda Christenson
Peter and Kristin Faugstad
Linda Hachfeld
Steve and Lois Jaeger
Thomas and Laura Kimball
Michael and Sarah Lilienthal
Ben and Natalie Longmire
Gene and Carrie Pfeifer
Michael and Emily Pleiss
Richard and Peg Raabe
John and Audrey Schrader
Daryl and Corrine Schultz
Ben and Sarah Strackbein
Don and Beth Westphal
Bethany Theatre is committed to artistic excellence and to the Christ centered mission of the college. Help us to grow and to make our productions even better. The generous support of friends, family, and fans of Bethany Theatre is a commitment to the continued quality of our productions. We would love your support, and we’d love to recognize your contribution in subsequent playbills. Additional recognitions and rewards will be announced soon. Thank you for your continued support!
We Want to Recruit YOU!
We value your talent! Whether it’s theatre, music, or any type of visual or media art, we want you to fill out a form to be recruited!
Scholarships available for Music, Theatre, Visual, and Media Arts.
Contact the Theatre Department
Peter Bloedel
Professor
Benji Inniger
Adjunct Faculty
Emily Kimball
Assistant Professor
