Theater
Jeanne Hatle, Theater 117
507-786-3240
theater@stolaf.edu
wp.stolaf.edu/theater
From the ancient past to the digital present, theater is one of the most profound ways human beings have represented themselves to themselves. The Department of Theater at St. Olaf provides students with opportunities to make and study theater, in historical and contemporary contexts, and to develop creative and collaborative skills relevant to the world today. Courses in acting, directing, history, theory and design are seen through the lens of theatrical production, and the interdisciplinary process of creating live theater is at the heart of everything we teach. Building on these foundations, the St. Olaf Theater stages five productions a year which are integral to the campus and community and are our working labs in the development of the creative artist.
The St. Olaf College Theater Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST).
Overview of the Major
The theater major requires nine courses plus four 0.25 lab credits. The major includes an introductory course in theater texts and performances as well as coursework in acting, directing, design, production, and history of theater, plus two upper-level electives. The requirements for the major are designed to provide a well-rounded course of study in the theater discipline. The co-curricular theater production program serves as a lab for our courses and offers extended learning and experience for St. Olaf students.
Intended Learning Outcomes for the Major
Theater Teaching License
St. Olaf offers a K-12 teaching license in theater. Contact the Education Department chair, for further information.
Special Programs
Students have the opportunity to study theater in London during Interim as part of a regular course taught by theater faculty. Students can set up internship experiences through the department or the Piper Center with theaters and other arts organizations in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Guest artists often visit the courses in the department to talk about and demonstrate their work and occasionally collaborate in the production work for our season of plays.
Recommendations for Graduate and Professional Study
Students planning on graduate study in theater should take the graduation major and additional courses for a total not to exceed 14.00 credits. Students should work closely with a faculty member in the area of their interest to plan their program. Students who are considering professional work in the theater or related arts should work together with faculty to develop appropriate resume or portfolio documents prior to graduation.
This major requires a minimum of nine courses plus four lab quarter credits.
Completion of an equivalent course at another institution should be approved by the department chair in advance to ensure credit toward the major requirement.
Only one full-course equivalent (1.00-credit course) taken S/U may count toward the minimum requirements for the major.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
THEAT 130 | Introduction to Acting | 1.00 |
THEAT 140 | Introduction to Design for Performance | 1.00 |
THEAT 180 | Text and Performance | 1.00 |
THEAT 232 | Stage Direction | 1.00 |
THEAT 240 | Scenery and Costume Design and Production | 1.00 |
or THEAT 250 | Lighting and Sound-Design and Production | |
THEAT 270 | History of Theater up to 1700 | 1.00 |
THEAT 271 | History of Theater since 1700 | 1.00 |
Select two of the following: | 2.00 | |
Intermediate Stage Direction | ||
Topics in Interpretation and Theater | ||
Top: Who Owns the Arts: Censorship, Sponsorship, and Artistic Freedom | ||
Academic Internship | ||
Independent Research | ||
Four lab classes: 1 | 1.0 | |
Theater Lab: Acting, Directing, Dramaturgy (0.25) | ||
Theater Lab: Design, Technical Production (0.25) | ||
Total Credits | 10 |
1 | At least one must be THEAT 233 and at least two must be THEAT 253; the fourth lab class is a choice of either THEAT 233 or THEAT 253. |
THEAT 100: Oral Interpretation
This performance course is designed to develop a student's understanding, analysis, and presentation of poetry, drama, and prose.
THEAT 110: Introduction to Theater
A broad-based introduction to the art and craft of theater, this course focuses on the roles of actor, director, playwright, and designer, as well as aspects of theater history, performance, and literature. Students examine theater as a culturally diverse art form, with emphasis on the ways ethnicity, gender, race, religion, and sexual orientation inform theater in the United States. Students attend performances on campus and in the Twin Cities and integrate them with readings, lectures, and discussions. A ticket fee is required. Offered each semester.
THEAT 115: Acting for the Non Major
This studio course is designed as an overview of the acting process for the non-major and includes basic acting theories, rehearsal techniques, improvisation, history, and styles. Students explore and practice exercises, scene work, and audition material. The course requires trips to professional theaters in the Twin Cities. A ticket fee is required. This course does not fulfill the acting requirement for the major.
THEAT 120: Public Speaking
Students learn and apply principles of speech composition and analyze speeches to understand effective methods. They demonstrate their knowledge in classroom speeches.
THEAT 130: Introduction to Acting
This studio course is centered on training the actor's instrument and developing basic acting skills including characterization, vocal production, physical and emotional connection, motivation and ensemble work. Students learn history of actor training from Stanislavski to present.Exercises, improvisation, monologue and scene work are all explored. This course requires trips to professional theaters in the Twin Cities. A ticket fee is required. Offered each semester. Also counts toward film studies concentration.
THEAT 131: Acting for the Lyric Stage
This studio course focuses on the techniques of acting and singing for the musical theater. Students learn the basics of voice, movement, improvisation, and characterization in class exercises, prepared scenes, solos and duets. Course culminates in a public showcase of students' work. Offered periodically.
THEAT 133: Producing Theater: Introductory
This course studies theater performance through the full-scale mounting of a production during the month of January, with public performances at the end of the January Interim or the beginning of spring semester. Students enroll in the class through either an acting audition or a production position interview held in late October or early November. No previous experience is necessary. Selected participants are notified prior to Interim registration. Details about the audition/interview are available online at the Theater Department website. Scripts are available in the Theater Department office. P/N only. Offered during Interim.
THEAT 140: Introduction to Design for Performance
The attributes of the things we see and hear in the performances that we attend contribute strongly to our experience as an audience. This course considers the elements and principles of design and their application to performance work. Students study the performance space, scenery elements, costuming, lighting and shadow, and the aural experience that the audience encounters during a performance. Problem-solving, collaboration, and design development are included in project work.
THEAT 180: Text and Performance
Play texts are the raw material for our classes in acting, directing, design, and historical studies. This introductory course for theater majors introduces students to canonical texts and performances that have helped to define our field. Primary emphasis is on the text as a blueprint for production focusing on analysis, variety of interpretation, the changing nature of theater space, and our growing awareness of the changing nature of performance. Students are expected to communicate clarity of understanding both orally and in writing. Non-majors are invited to take this course, though its primary focus is a comprehensive preparation for further theater studies. Offered each semester.
THEAT 230: Intermediate Acting
A studio course for the student with previous acting experience. Through scene and monologue work students explore text and character analysis as well as the requirements of major theatrical period styles. Students perform regularly throughout the semester. The course requires trips to professional theaters in the Twin Cities. A ticket fee is required. Offered annually in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180, and THEAT 130 or THEAT 131 or permission of the instructor.
THEAT 232: Stage Direction
This studio course focuses on the fundamentals of stage direction. Students develop skills of play selection, audience analysis, text interpretation, working with actors, stage picturization and blocking, design considerations, and the process of casting and rehearsals. A primary focus is on developing a point of view about theater and directing by the study of other directors and theories of theater. Offered annually in the fall semester. Also counts toward management studies concentration.
Prerequisites: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180, and THEAT 115 or THEAT 130 or THEAT 131, and THEAT 140.
THEAT 233: Theater Lab: Acting, Directing, Dramaturgy (0.25)
This theater lab involves the student in the conceptual and practical processes of artistic creation and performance production in theater. Students study current theory and practice as well as historical approaches to performance problems. Lab sessions include creative projects and practical problem-solving in assistant directing, acting, or dramaturgy as part of the St. Olaf theater season. P/N only. First-year students are encouraged to enroll. May be repeated. Registration is by audition or interview only. Offered each semester.
THEAT 234: Producing Theater: Advanced
Designed for the student with previous course work and production work in theater, this course studies theater performance through the full-scale mounting of a production during the month of January, with public performances at the end of the January Interim or the beginning of spring semester. Students enroll in the course through either an acting audition or a production position interview held in late October or early November. Selected participants are notified prior to Interim registration. Details about the audition/interview are available online at the Theater Department website. Scripts are available in the Theater Department office. P/N only. Offered during Interim.
Prerequisites: THEAT 133 or permission of instructor; concurrent registration in THEAT 233 or THEAT 253 (0 credit option) required.
THEAT 240: Scenery and Costume Design and Production
This course balances the elements of production with the elements of design, focusing on materials, practices, and techniques used to create scenic and costume elements used in live production. The course includes hands-on experience in the scenic and costume studios, and projects in technical drawing, designing, analysis, and research. Open to majors and non-majors.
Prerequisite: THEAT 140 is recommended.
THEAT 250: Lighting and Sound-Design and Production
The design and production of lighting and sound in theater, dance, music, and general presentation work plays a significant role in the experience of these events. This course introduces the production problems of lighting and sound and includes design projects in both lighting and sound. Open to majors and non-majors. Offered annually in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: THEAT 140 is recommended.
THEAT 252: Drawing and Painting for Theater
This studio course covers drawing and painting as it relates to theater design and production work. Students engage in exercises and project work in perceptual drawing, scene painting, and technical drawing. Course fee is required. Open to majors and non-majors. Offered periodically.
THEAT 253: Theater Lab: Design, Technical Production (0.25)
This theater lab involves the student in the conceptual and practical processes of stage performance. Class sessions include practical problem-solving and hands-on experiences for productions which are part of the St. Olaf theater season. Experiences in scenery, props, costumes, lighting, sound, and stage management are available. P/N only. First-year students are encouraged to enroll. May be repeated. Registration is by audition or interview only. The theater lab 253A: Design, Technical Production is offered each semester.
THEAT 270: History of Theater up to 1700
Examines theatrical activities, from theater's origins to 1700, from three interrelated perspectives: 1) theater as social history; 2) theater as dramatic literature; and 3) theater as performance (the result of creative decisions made by playwrights, actors, directors, and designers). Also counts toward ancient studies and medieval studies majors. Offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180 or permission of instructor.
THEAT 271: History of Theater since 1700
Examines theatrical activities in the period 1700 to the present, from three interrelated perspectives: 1) theater as social history; 2) theater as dramatic literature; and 3) theater as performance (the result of creative decisions made by playwrights, actors, directors, and designers). Offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180 or permission of instructor.
THEAT 294: Academic Internships
Prerequisite: at least three previous courses in department.
THEAT 298: Independent Study
Prerequisite: at least three previous courses in department.
THEAT 338: Intermediate Stage Direction
A studio course focusing on the artistic decision-making process of stage direction, script analysis, directorial concepts, production designs and hands-on directing experience building on the skills developed in THEAT 232: Stage Direction. Students direct a one-act play as the final project for the course. Offered annually in the spring semester. Also counts toward management studies concentration.
Prerequisite: THEAT 232 and THEAT 240 or THEAT 250. THEAT 270 or THEAT 271 recommended.
THEAT 378: Topics in Interpretation and Theater
An in-depth investigation of a selected topic through readings, bibliography, reports and projects. May be repeated if topic is different.
Prerequisite: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180; some topics courses may require additional prerequisites.
THEAT 379: Topics in Interpretation and Theater
An in-depth investigation of a selected topic through readings, bibliography, reports and projects. May be repeated if topic is different.
Prerequisite: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180; some topics courses may require additional prerequisites.
THEAT 380: Top: Who Owns the Arts: Censorship, Sponsorship, and Artistic Freedom
An investigation into the relationship between theater and society through study of various issues in theater arts including censorship, funding, arts advocacy and arts education. Issues of contemporary ethical concern will be discussed and analyzed through a variety of historical and contemporary normative perspectives. Also counts toward management studies concentration.
Prerequisite: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180; BTS-T.
THEAT 394: Academic Internship
Prerequisite: at least five previous courses in department.
THEAT 396: Directed Undergraduate Research
This course provides a comprehensive research opportunity, including an introduction to relevant background material, technical instruction, identification of a meaningful project, and data collection. The topic is determined by the faculty member in charge of the course and may relate to his/her research interests. Offered based on department decision. May be offered as a 1.00 credit course or .50 credit course.
Prerequisite: determined by individual instructor.
THEAT 398: Independent Research
Prerequisite: at least five previous courses in the department.
Related Course
ID 258: Theater in London (abroad)
A full immersion in the art of theater, students attend approximately 22 performances at London and Stratford theaters. The course includes the reading of play texts, dramatic criticism, group discussions, and backstage tours. England, a theatrical center of the English-speaking world, enables students to experience a wide variety of theatrical performances ranging from traditional to modern. Excursions to Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehenge, Bath, and Bristol offer additional cultural perspectives. Offered annually during Interim. Apply through International and Off-Campus Studies. Counts toward English major.
Chair, 2020-2021
Karen Wilson
Professor of Theater
theater; ethics and theater; directing; voice/phonetics
Brian Bjorklund
Professor of Theater
design and technical theater; scene painting
Todd F. Edwards
Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater
design and technical production; stage combat; media and video design
Peter C. Hansen
Adjunct Instructor in Theater
Sara Pillatzki-Warzeha
Adjunct Instructor in Theater
Bryan Schmidt
Visiting Instructor in Theater
William Sonnega
Associate Professor of Theater
theater; media studies