As a student in this program you will study the history of theater, read and discuss many pieces of literature, and spend countless hours practicing the art of acting. Theater majors also have the opportunity to learn sound and lighting design, set design and construction, stage management, and directing. Multiple trips to the Twin Cities' Ordway and Guthrie Theater complement what you are learning in the classroom, and four annual theater productions on the Bethany stage provide a chance for you to demonstrate your talents and abilities. The Theater Department strives to encourage the development of ethical Christian theater 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 Theater department strives to instruct and encourage ethical Christian theater artists. The Theater 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 theater 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 theater 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 theater production or performance.

Opportunities for the Theater graduate