B.A. Theatre
At Concordia University, Nebraska, we believe the starting point for studies in theatre is the development of the individual student’s voice. Both in and out of the classroom, you will find space to examine who you are, what you believe and how you can impact others. The theatre major is a highly integrated academic program that will provide you with opportunities to collaborate and study all aspects of theatrical art, including acting, directing, playwriting, set design, technical production, dramaturgy, literary theory and the history of theatre.
Theatre teaches you communication skills, creative problem solving and innumerable other traits that offer valuable preparation for any career, including those in the theatre industry, or for further study in graduate school or professional programs.
From script to director to casting to set design, find your place on the stage!
Program Highlights
WHY STUDY THEATRE AT CONCORDIA?
The Concordia University, Nebraska theatre program maintains high standards of academic integrity and Christian responsibility. Through practical application, the program presents quality productions that are both entertaining and relevant, and that engage our audience in a thoughtfully challenging, responsible and intelligent way.
Theatre
Theatre productions at Concordia University, Nebraska are an active part of campus life. Full-length productions and a variety of student-directed one acts bring together students from all disciplines to offer the campus and surrounding communities excellent theatre.
MEET OUR EXPERT FACULTY
As experts in theatre, our faculty and instructors bring years of experience to the classroom.
Meet our students
“The theatre department at Concordia is a close-knit, loving community of professors and friends who have taught me more than I ever expected to know about the art that I love.”
Adam Prince
O'Fallon, Mo.
Accreditation
Concordia University, Nebraska is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Degree Goals
A theatre program graduate from Concordia University, Nebraska will be able to:
- Critically analyze important cultural and social issues and use methods that promote reflection and discussion about both theatre itself and issues of individual and Christian concern.
- Discover the historical and cultural significance of drama and apply methods of literary and dramatic scholarship.
- Model Christian scholarship and thoughtful discussion processes, including a desire to read more and appreciate the role of drama to challenge and increase awareness of both our sinful human condition and the need we have for a Savior.
- Develop creativity, artistic skills and professionalism through an active production program that melds scholarship and practice.
- Expand and perfect their knowledge of the literary, historical and philosophical aspects of theatre.
English, Communication and Theatre Arts Minors
- Communication
- Composition and Rhetoric
- English
- Interpersonal Communication
- Journalism and Public Relations
- Literature
- Theatre
- Writing
Career Outcomes
Actor
- Portray characters on stage or film
- Read scripts, rehearse scenes, memorize lines, research characters and perform
Drama Teacher
- Help students explore their creativity through the theatre arts
- Create lesson plans, exams and exercises to help your students master costume and set design, acting and directing
Film Director
- Ensure every aspect of a movie or television show runs smoothly
- Give direction to actors
- Work with individuals in charge of lighting, scenery, writing and all aspects of the show
FAQs
What kind of performances can I participate in as a theatre major at Concordia University, Nebraska?
Every year, the theatre department at Concordia Nebraska hosts two major productions and numerous smaller productions, from musicals and Shakespearean tragedies to modern-day comedies and one-act plays. Students are involved in each step of each production, as costume and set designers, playwrights, directors, stage managers and actors. Anyone can audition for any show regardless of major or scholarship, and anyone can volunteer to help backstage, as an usher or in the technical shop areas (scenery, props, costumes, lighting, sound).
I like theatre, but I don’t know if I want to do it professionally. Should I major in theatre?
Even if you don’t know if you want to pursue theatre as a career, you still should consider a major in theatre. The theatre program at Concordia University, Nebraska prepares you to enter the world as an intelligent, curious, creative human being, all of which employers are looking for when you enter the workforce. There are also dozens of different careers within theatre that you may not have considered such as project management, event organizer or journalist, where a degree in theatre can help you can pursue your love of theatrical arts in a less traditional manner.
What unique opportunities are available for theatre majors?
The Theatre for Outreach program at Concordia Nebraska sends students into the community, merging the skills of the artist with the needs of society and giving students hands-on experience with using theatre to address social and community issues. It’s a great way to serve the church and world, while performing and doing what you’re passionate about. There is even an extracurricular student outreach group called Ripple, which continues to address important social and personal health issues.
Concordia University’s Curtain Club is a group for students, both theatre majors and non-theatre majors, interested in the dramatic arts. Members of the club are involved in various campus productions, including the two yearly major productions, readers theatre and one act plays.
Concordia’s improvisational theatre group, the IMPROVables, is student-led, and everyone is encouraged to join, whether just at rehearsals, during shows or for the twice-annual Improvathons, which feature up to 24 straight hours of improvisational hijinks.
Off campus, theatre majors can participate in the theatre study tour. During the tour, students visit theaters and take in shows in different parts of the world to gain a sense of how productions are different in different geographic locations, and to study how culture and place influence theatre.
Related Programs
Applied Communication
Applied communication is one of the most versatile majors available. A degree in applied communication can prepare you for a traditional career path as a communication specialist in small businesses, government offices and non-profit organizations. With the bachelor’s degree in applied communication, you can also find work in journalism, marketing, education, entertainment or any number of other career fields.
English
Concordia’s English major promotes careful reading, encourages critical thinking and models Christian scholarship and thoughtful discussion processes. Ideally, our students will develop a desire to read more and appreciate the role of literature in exploring themselves, the human condition, and Christ’s response to humanity and to our students in particular.
Journalism and Public Relations
In Concordia University, Nebraska’s journalism and public relations program, we will help you develop your thinking, writing and speaking skills so you are able to size up situations, determine what’s happening and report information accurately, quickly, honestly and responsibly.
1 Recent graduates attending graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.
2Average Class Size for Representative Subject Most Aligned with Major, Over Last 5 Years.