Northwest Missouri State University - Theatre (2024)

Statement of Purpose for Theatre

Supporting Northwest’s vision and mission, the Theatre program has a threefold purpose: (1) to serve the educational needs of the students of Northwest by providing programs of study that will prepare its majors for careers in theatre, and will provide all students with an appreciation for and understanding of the art; (2) to provide quality cultural performances and experiences for the University and surrounding communities; and (3) to make a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in these fields. The theatre program seeks to accomplish this by: (a) attracting students who have the potential to become competent professionals, (b) preparing students in program majors for successful employment in those fields or for advanced study in graduate programs, (c) providing all students with authentic profession-based experiences that are essential to their success in school and in the world, and (d) maintaining a relationship with alumni and supporting their continual development as professionals and citizens.

Students in the Theatre program are provided with both a solid theoretical understanding of the field and numerous opportunities for hands-on experience. Student organizations within the theatre program provide additional experiential learning opportunities. Whether majoring in a theatre field (Performance, Technical/Design or Comprehensive), or seeking teacher certification in theatre, students in the program learn from their instructors and classroom experiences, learn by doing, learn from one another, and learn from professionals in their fields.

Majors and non-majors alike are eligible and encouraged to participate in performance or technical positions in mainstage and laboratory series productions and theatre student organizations.

The theatre program also serves as a center for cultural activity and enrichment for the University and surrounding communities. Public performances of plays and musicals from all major periods and of all major styles are produced throughout the academic year. The high caliber of these performances instills an appreciation for the performance process and the aesthetics of production arts.

Degree Programs in Theatre

The Bachelor of Science in Theatre (60 hours) provides students with a solid foundation in all major areas of theatre study while allowing concentration in a specific production area. Specialization options, available in performance and technical/design areas, prepare the student to enter the professional field or to pursue advanced study and training.

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre (30 hours), which requires a minor, provides students with practical and theoretical knowledge in all areas of theatre study in preparation for advanced training, graduate work or direct entry into thefield.

The Bachelor of Science in Education in Speech/Theatre (55 hours) prepares students to teach and direct speech and theatre in secondary schools. This major, when completed under the B.S.Ed. Secondary Education Program, meets State of Missouri teacher certification standards for grades 9-12.

The Bachelor of Science in Education in Speech/Theatre (38 hours) requires a minor. This major, when completed under the B.S.Ed. Secondary Education Program,meets State of Missouri teacher certification standards for grades 9-12.

The minor in Theatre (24 hours) provides students majoring in other departments with a general knowledge of all major areas of theatre, and gives them the opportunity to apply that knowledge in production environments.

A minor in Speech/Theatre Education (32 hours) is available to students majoring in another area. This minor, when completed under the B.S.Ed. Secondary Education Program, meets State of Missouri teacher certification standards for grades 9-12.

The department also offers an endorsem*nt in Speech/Theatre for students seeking Missouri Middle School (grades 5-9) certification. The middle school program is advised through the School of Education.

Program Policies for Theatre

Senior Project Requirement

Students must create a faculty-approved public performance or exhibition of materials in the student's area of emphasis in theatre during the senior year. Prior to beginning the project, students complete a proposal and receive project approval from the theatre faculty. Students may choose to enroll in THEA 43499 if academic credit for their required project is desired.

Speech/Theatre Education Directing Requirement

All candidates for the B.S.Ed. degree with a secondary speech/theatre education major must direct a theatrical presentation that is approved by department faculty. Opportunities for meeting this requirement will be discussed with the academic advisor. THEA 43373 Directing must be successfully completed, with a grade of C or better, prior to attempting this requirement. An application to direct a lab series play must be approved the academic year prior to the directing year.

Advanced Standing Requirement

Students majoring in theatre must complete University Seminar (1 hour), English Composition (6 hours), Oral Communication (3 hours), and Mathematics (3-4 hours) by the end of their sophom*ore year. A student must present a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for the courses listed above. No departmental major may be enrolled in and pursue advanced departmental courses (numbered 300 or above) until these courses and the major specific advanced standing requirements are met.

Students seeking exemption or who are not granted advanced standing in theatre may appeal by submitting a written petition to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences through the Chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.

Theatre and Speech/Theatre Education Majors Advanced Standing

Students seeking a major or minor in theatre or speech/theatre education must demonstrate depth of knowledge in theatre core courses and commitment to expand that knowledge in order to successfully pursue advanced study.

No theatre major or speech/theatre education major may be enrolled in and pursue advanced theatre courses (Theatre courses numbered 43-300 and above) until theatre advanced standing has been granted.Minors must complete the theatre core sequence with a grade of C or better in all core courses prior to being enrolled in and pursuing advanced theatre courses.

To achieve theatre advanced standing, theatre majors and speech/theatre education majors 1) must complete and have no grade lower than C in any theatre core course, and 2) must demonstrate readiness for advanced theatre courses by satisfactorily responding to written and/or oral questions related to the theatre core courses, current theatre reading lists, and their curricular and co-curricular progress, 3) must present a resume and professional portfolio or prepared monologues for faculty review.Majors may apply for theatre advanced standing during the semesterthey are completing the theatre core. Note that education majors need not complete #3.