Theatre Arts
The theatre arts program offers extensive opportunities to explore diverse dramatic literature and movement in three performance venues. Providing top-tier training, it delivers a multifaceted theatrical experience in southern Minnesota. The comprehensive curriculum balances practical training with historical and socio-political context, preparing students to be both creative and scholarly practitioners in the performing arts.
Careers in Theatre Arts
Students develop the skills needed for careers as performers, choreographers, technicians, designers, arts administrators, advocates, and leaders in the arts.- Actor
- Performer
- Dance Instructor
- Stage Manager
- Choreographer
- Artistic Director
Potential Salary
Median Salary $41,000
Theatre Arts Degrees at MSU
Theatre Arts, Bachelor of Arts
The Theatre Arts BA is designed for theatre practitioners who want a general, well rounded competency in all areas of theatre performance and production. The BA degree requires eight credits of a world language.
Theatre Arts, Bachelor of Science
The Theatre Arts BS is designed for theatre practitioners who want a general, well rounded competency in all areas of theatre performance and production. It is identical to the BA degree in Theatre except that the BA requires 8 credits of a foreign language and the BS does not.
Theatre Arts Acting, Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting is designed for creative artists in performance, offering intensive training to enhance professional competencies in theatre performance. This specialized degree path provides accelerated training in acting, requiring students to participate in projects specific to their specialization and to take targeted classes. The BFA program cultivates highly trained specialists in acting, preparing graduates for professional careers in their chosen field.
Theatre Arts Design Technology, Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design Technology is designed for creative artists focused on theatre production. This degree provides accelerated, intensive training in design and technology, honing students' skills in the art and craft of theatre. BFA students engage in hands-on projects and take specialized courses to deepen their expertise. Graduates emerge as highly trained specialists, ready for professional careers in theatre production. This program offers a clear path to professsional careers in theatre design and technology.
Theatre Arts Musical Theatre, Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre offers intensive, specialized training for creative artists focused on the performance of musical theatre. This degree provides hands-on projects and targeted courses to build professional expertise. Students receive accelerated training in theatre, dance, and music, preparing them for successful careers as highly trained specialists, ready to excel in the musical theatre industry.
Theatre Arts, Minor
The Theatre Arts Minor provides a general, well-rounded competency in all areas of theatre performance and production.
Theatre Arts, Master of Arts
The Master of Arts in Theatre Arts provides advanced training in specialized areas of theatre, balancing practical skills with historical and socio-political context. This comprehensive curriculum prepares students as creative and scholarly practitioners, equipping them with the critical thinking and global awareness necessary for careers as performers, choreographers, technicians, designers, educators, arts administrators, advocates, and leaders. This degree is more research based than the MFA program, and does not offer specific degree tracks like the MFA.
Theatre and Dance, Master of Fine Arts
The MFA is a terminal degree for the creative artists and educators, and provides training for increased professional competencies in the specialized areas of Theatre Arts. This program is more performance based than the Master of Arts program and is suited for those wishing to teach in post-secondary environments. Within the larger Theatre and Dance MFA program, there are degree tracks in Acting, Directing, Musical Theatre, Technical Direction, Scene Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, and Costume Design.
Theatre Arts, Bachelor of Arts
The Theatre Arts BA is designed for theatre practitioners who want a general, well rounded competency in all areas of theatre performance and production. The BA degree requires eight credits of a world language.
Theatre Arts, Bachelor of Science
The Theatre Arts BS is designed for theatre practitioners who want a general, well rounded competency in all areas of theatre performance and production. It is identical to the BA degree in Theatre except that the BA requires 8 credits of a foreign language and the BS does not.
Theatre Arts Acting, Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting is designed for creative artists in performance, offering intensive training to enhance professional competencies in theatre performance. This specialized degree path provides accelerated training in acting, requiring students to participate in projects specific to their specialization and to take targeted classes. The BFA program cultivates highly trained specialists in acting, preparing graduates for professional careers in their chosen field.
Theatre Arts Design Technology, Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design Technology is designed for creative artists focused on theatre production. This degree provides accelerated, intensive training in design and technology, honing students' skills in the art and craft of theatre. BFA students engage in hands-on projects and take specialized courses to deepen their expertise. Graduates emerge as highly trained specialists, ready for professional careers in theatre production. This program offers a clear path to professsional careers in theatre design and technology.
Theatre Arts Musical Theatre, Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre offers intensive, specialized training for creative artists focused on the performance of musical theatre. This degree provides hands-on projects and targeted courses to build professional expertise. Students receive accelerated training in theatre, dance, and music, preparing them for successful careers as highly trained specialists, ready to excel in the musical theatre industry.
Theatre Arts, Minor
The Theatre Arts Minor provides a general, well-rounded competency in all areas of theatre performance and production.
Theatre Arts, Master of Arts
The Master of Arts in Theatre Arts provides advanced training in specialized areas of theatre, balancing practical skills with historical and socio-political context. This comprehensive curriculum prepares students as creative and scholarly practitioners, equipping them with the critical thinking and global awareness necessary for careers as performers, choreographers, technicians, designers, educators, arts administrators, advocates, and leaders. This degree is more research based than the MFA program, and does not offer specific degree tracks like the MFA.
Theatre and Dance, Master of Fine Arts
The MFA is a terminal degree for the creative artists and educators, and provides training for increased professional competencies in the specialized areas of Theatre Arts. This program is more performance based than the Master of Arts program and is suited for those wishing to teach in post-secondary environments. Within the larger Theatre and Dance MFA program, there are degree tracks in Acting, Directing, Musical Theatre, Technical Direction, Scene Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, and Costume Design.
Theatre and Dance Performances and Tickets
We offer an array of opportunities exploring a wide range of dramatic literature and movement possibilities. Purchase your individual tickets today!
Audition & Production Opportunities
Current students can participate in our productions both on stage and behind the scenes. They can also join the USITT Chapter to further engage in the field.
Learn More
About Theatre and Dance
Learn more about the Theatre & Dance program at Minnesota State Mankato, including history, mission and production schedule.
New and Current Student Opportunities
Explore information on new and current student auditions and how to apply to be dance major. We also offer several dance activities and events beyond campus to be involved in.
Theatre Arts Venues and Dance Studios
Our program offers an array opportunities exploring a wide range of dramatic literature and movement possibilities in three performance venues and dance studios.
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Department of Theatre Arts
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Humanities and Social Sciences
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is an inclusive community of diverse learners seeking to examine, engage with and transform the social world while nurturing creativity and innovation. Our programs build a foundation of knowledge that adapts to a constantly changing society.
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