Perform in main stage shows, black box studio productions, musicals, cabaret, and student-directed one-act plays. UNW’s quality theatre events attract audiences from across the greater Twin Cities, filling 25,000 seats each season. Learn from highly credentialed theatre faculty who are passionate about your personal growth and excellence.
This might be the right degree for you if you
- enjoy singing and dancing
- like the creative expression of performing arts
- are interested in a career working in the theatre industry
Why study theatre at Northwestern?
We have a tradition of integrating the arts into a Christian worldview. You will explore and experience every aspect of theatre productions. Experience an intimate space of our Black Box Theatre and the main stage at Knight Performance Hall. You will incorporate theatre into your cultural experience, develop your artistic vision, and view artistic expression as a form of worship.
We provide numerous opportunities for involvement in campus productions, both on stage as well as backstage. Check out our productions for the current school year.
With campus so close to downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, students take advantage of opportunities in Minnesota’s thriving theatre industries.
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What degree concentrations are offered in Theatre?
Students complete 20 credits specific to Dance.
- Introduction to Dance
- Tap Dance
- Ballet
- Jazz Dance
- Dance History and Perspectives
- Modern Dance
- Choreography
Select one of the following:
- Theatre Performance Internship
- Dance Performance Internship
Students complete 20 credits specific to Musical Theatre
- Music Theory Fundamentals
- Music Theory I: Harmonic Foundations
- Sight Singing and Ear Training I
- Private Voice – Elective
- Introduction to Dance
- Tap Dance
- Ballet
- Jazz Dance
- Music Theatre Workshop
Students complete 20 credits of Theatre selectives.
I am incredibly grateful for the ways UNW is equipping me as a theatre major. The theatre department puts on many productions every year including mainstage shows in Knight Performance Hall, smaller intimate plays in the black box theatre, one-acts, cabarets, plays, musicals, and more. The professors set an example for how the professional theatre industry works by holding expectations for all students to meet and setting students up to excel by getting them experience in many different sides of the theatre. I constantly learn something new and have met a community of people who never cease to give love and support.
Careers in theatre
There are a variety of career and academic pathways that begin with a degree in theatre.
What types of work are related to this degree?
- Performance
- Direction/technical direction
- Casting
- Set/stage/lighting/property design
- Stage or house management
- Sound design
- Wardrobe, hair and makeup design
- Prop Management
- Script writing, screenwriting, playwriting
- Publicity and promotions
- Agent/talent management
- Marketing and advertising
- Fundraising and development
- Arts administration
- Box office sales or management
- Promotion
What will I learn?
You will learn to act, sing, dance, and perform for live audiences.
THE 1051
Acting I
Creative methods of role development, styles of acting from major periods of the theatre and play analysis. A $75 course fee required.
THE 2045
Children’s Theatre
The course focuses on the methods and materials of producing plays for children, including audience analysis, script analysis, design, rehearsal and performance. The goal is to produce a play or plays to perform at local schools and churches. A $75 course fee required.
THE 1035
Introduction to Dance
This course is an introduction to dance designed to broaden student perspective on dance as an art form by examining dance from a critical perspective, surveying dance traditions from around the world and placing dance in a social, historical and cultural context. Students will also have the opportunity to explore movement through a basic introduction to theatre dance styles. A $75 course fee required.
THE 1045
Theatre Production and Performance
An experiential learning course to provide the student with a practical application of theatrical theory. The student will develop skills and abilities for the theatre through supervised experience in a selected topic including: Performance, Stage Management, Costume Crew, Scene Crew, Lighting Crew, Sound Crew, Props Crew, Hair and Make-up Crew, or Stage Crew, etc. Student attends rehearsals and/or designated crew hour in regards to their assigned area.
THE 3166
Theatre Management
The course provides a comprehensive picture of theatre management, including current technologies used in theatre, efficient use and maintenance of physical space and organization and budgeting for shows.
Still have questions about this program or how to apply?
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Discover the Department of Music & Theatre
Professors at Northwestern are focused on their students first. Our faculty include experts in their respective fields who want to help you grow in your faith while you earn your degree.
