State University Theatre
Our production season offers a wide variety of genres and styles to provide students with broad educational possibilities.
In addition to the standard fare from classics to musicals, SDSU is also home to the Festival of New Plays in which students will work on the development of new plays with visiting professional playwrights.
By pursuing a major or minor in theatre, students gain experience in acting, directing, design/technical production, arts management and movement for the stage. Students have the opportunity to participate in four main-stage shows either on stage or behind the scenes. Additionally, each summer, Prairie Repertory Theatre provides students with an intensive hands-on experience while producing four productions.
The theatre major requires 45 credit hours, though many students take more credits than required during their undergraduate experience. One of the advantages of a liberal arts theatre degree is the ability to double-major. Students may tailor their undergraduate studies to their specific needs or interests. Our theatre students often pair that major with disciplines such as: English education, speech education, marketing/advertising, interior design or even electrical engineering.
Our Graduates
Our graduates find a variety of avenues for success in professions in theatre and dance and other areas of endeavor as well. They are well prepared for focused graduate study due to the practical experience gained at SDSU. Many have excelled in MFA programs at schools like Yale, Michigan State, the University of Southern California, Indiana University and more.
Others thrive in the profession as performers, designers, technicians or managers, working on national tours or with resident companies. Some pursue careers as theatre educators in K-12 or higher education. The skills our graduates acquire also serve them well in business, communications, human resources and any career requiring discipline, organization and strong communication skills.
The mission of the theatre program at South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University is to provide a broad-based liberal arts education in theatre through hands-on involvement that encourages creative and personal growth artistically, personally and socially. In addition, the department serves as a cultural and artistic resource for the university, community, state and region.
The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival is a national organization for theatre in higher education. SDSU is a regular participant in various programs that offer performance scholarship and special grant competitions. Our students have had great success. Some of them have been awarded opportunities to participate in the national festival.
The United States Institute for Theatre Technology is an organization dedicated to the professional development in technical aspects of theatre. Students frequently attend the institute’s Annual Conference and Stage Exposition, where they participate in workshops and have opportunities to network with student peers and professionals.
SDSU’s Prairie Repertory Theatre presents more production experiences. Each summer PRT produces and performs four musicals/plays. The PRT company has been in existence for nearly 50 years. Many alumni say their experiences with PRT were among the most significant of their undergraduate training.
