Theater
Do you have a passion for bringing great scripts to life?
Do you believe its bad luck to say “Macbeth” inside a theater?
Do you prefer the spotlight or is your preference to stay behind the scenes?
If you answered yes, then theater might be the major for you!
A major in theater gives you background in:
• Acting
• Technical Work
• Directing
• Dramatic Literature
You’ll learn advanced techniques in acting, directing, and stage and lighting design
and have the opportunity to utilize those techniques in production. You’ll also learn
about the major historical periods and genres of world drama and will be to analyze
scripts from both the performance and production perspective. Our courses will help
you build the needed skills in the following areas:
• Movement
• Voice
• Interpretation
• Design
• Production
• Analysis
• Critical thinking
• Writing
Major Tracks
Bachelor of Arts in Theater
This degree allows you to gain a broad understanding of theatre art while honing your skills in a specific area of emphasis. Our curriculum includes applied studio courses in acting, directing, and technical production and design as well as course work in dramatic literature, theatre history, and theory.
A minor in Theater is also offered.
Program Highlights
State-of-the-art Performing Arts Center
McKendree’s student productions have taken on a brand new feel with the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, opened to performances in 2006. The Hett provides McKendree’s theater students a state of the art venue to showcase their talents. Students can act on stage, help with sound and lighting, construct set pieces and participate in a variety of other ways to make a production come to life.
Literary Opportunities
Each year, McKendree’s student club, the Literary Interest Society, organizes a weekend trip to the Shakespeare Theater in Chicago to view a performance by some of theater’s current professional actors.
Alpha Psi Omega National Honor Society
This fraternity exists to honor students who have contributed to the theater program at McKendree and to foster an awareness and appreciation of theater in all McKendree students.
Employment
A theater major can help prepare you for a variety of professions in the arts, education,
and business. Networking, job experience, internships and expertise in your specialty
are paramount to success. Theater majors are marketable for such occupations as a
performer, set designer, production manager, screenwriter or high school theater director
or teacher.
Meet the Faculty
Michelle Magnussen
Associate Professor of Theater
Eisenmayer Hall 105
(618) 537-6586
mlmagnussen@mckendree.edu
