The Theatre Arts Department offers an intensive, production-oriented program for students interested in pursuing a professional career in acting, directing, theatre technology or theatre design. The rich curriculum includes courses in acting, directing, costuming, musical theatre, movement, dance, voice, scene design, production and more to give students a multi-faceted exposure to the world of theatre. Renowned faculty with extensive professional backgrounds in teaching, directing, choreography, performance, costume design and technical design bring a wealth of experience and creative instructional techniques. Students have great opportunities for personal and professional growth through involvement in the University Theatre Series, The Straw Hat Players and through extensive peer collaboration. Performances are enhanced by the department’s impressive facilities, including the Delmar J. Hansen Theatre, a proscenium style theatre, and Gaede Stage, a thrust style theatre, in addition to a Green Room, Dance Studio, Make-Up Room, Costume Shop and more. The Department entertains the surrounding community with high-caliber theatrical experiences through its exceptional student performances, and also hosts renowned visiting performers through The Cheryl Nelson-Lossett Performing Arts Series. The immersive hands-on instruction and rich performance opportunities provide an advanced level of training that prepares graduates to excel in the challenging world of theatre arts at any level. Alumni from the program have achieved prestigious careers in performance and acting, directing, theatre design and technology, and many other areas, including business, education and other forms of entertainment.
MSUM Theatre Arts alum Jan Maxwell starred last spring in a revival of the Stephen Sondheim hit musical Follies with Bernadette Peters at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. A New York Times theatre reviewer wrote in the May 22 issue: “Ms. Maxwell, who gives the evening’s most complete and satisfying performance, sings and dances [...]
Dan Leonard, ’79, Theatre Arts, received the Randolph Frank Prize for the Performing Arts. He received the $5,000 award for his work in Palm Beach County’s performing arts scene for the past 25 years. Leonard wrote plays for a touring theatre program for schools and also acted in many theatrical productions in the Palm Beach [...]
Tyler Michaels, a 2010 Theatre Arts graduate of MSUM, , plays the title role in Bat Boy: The Musical, an Off-Broadway hit opening Halloween weekend in downtown Minneapolis. Minneapolis Musical Theatre is presenting Bat Boy: The Musical October 28-November 13 at the Illusion Theater, 6th and Hennepin, Minneapolis. Appearing in his first Minneapolis Musical Theatre [...]
CABARET opens Wednesday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m. on the Gaede Stage! The show runs through Oct. 1 at 7:30, and two matinee shows are scheduled at 2 p.m. on Oct. 1 and 2. The iconic musical is set in Germany in 1930. The Nazi Party is rising to power, but in the Kit Kat [...]
Matthew Englund, Theatre Arts Major
