When you think of theatre, what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, it conjures up images of actors and actresses on a stage entertaining a live audience. Although this description is accurate a theatre major is much more than just actors on a stage. As a student in this program you will study the history of theatre, read and discuss many pieces of literature, and spend countless hours practicing the art of acting. Theatre majors also have the opportunity to dabble in many other areas - sound and lighting design, set design and construction, stage management, and directing. Multiple trips to the Twin Cities’ Ordway and Guthrie Theatre complement what you are learning in the classroom, and four annual theatre productions on the Bethany stage provide a chance for you to demonstrate your talents and abilities. The Theatre Department strives to encourage the development of ethical Christian theatre artists who are able to employ their creative gifts with wisdom and discernment and are knowledgeable of the power and influence of performance.

The Bethany Lutheran College Theatre department strives to instruct and encourage ethical Christian theatre artists. The Theatre Major aims to produce graduates who:

• understand production elements and processes, including the processes of design, direction, construction, and administration
• are knowledgeable of the interrelatedness of the various elements of performance production
• value and foster communication that contributes to and enhances a collaborative, cooperative, creative, constructive process
• understand the history, literature, criticism, and the social significance of theatre art
• understand the power and influence of performance
• are ethical and thoughtful, and make critical choices consistent with the Christian philosophy
• are able to exercise creativity
• are efficient managers of time and resources to achieve quality outcomes in a variety of performance related areas.

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.