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 Regardless of particular interest or emphasis, a student majoring in the department takes a specific group of core courses that provide links among the elements of performance, production, practice, and theory in dance and theatre. In addition to the core courses, students choose from a range of other classes, allowing them to more fully explore a particular concentration such as performance, design, management, choreography/directing. The curriculum is focused on engaging the student in constructing a basic foundation of varied experiences, in and out of the classroom. Such a foundation assists the student upon graduation in honestly engaging the challenging worlds of theatre and/or dance. Majors from other departments frequently take courses in the department as well, generating energetic conversations as ideas are exchanged and explored.
Outside the classroom, majors and non-majors alike are centrally involved in building sets, performing, heading up various stage crews, or greeting the public in the box office or house managing. In other words, the theatre/dance production season is a busy one that depends upon the energy and talents of many students. The department strives to link classroom exploration with the on-going work in the rehearsal studios, scene shop, lighting booth, and design lab.
The department invites you to become a part of Luther’s theatre/dance world. Every student at Luther is welcome to join in the creation of varied and challenging theatre/dance pieces. And if you have questions, please stop by the Center for the Arts or email the department. For now, continue browsing through the listing of opportunities available.
PERFORM at Luther
 Auditions are open to biology majors, history buffs, psychology majors, English aficionados, musicians as well as theatre/dance majors. In other words, the department’s productions reflect a healthy cross-section of students from around the campus. Audition notices are posted on the theatre/dance callboard in the Union and, of course, in the Center for the Arts. First years and upper class students learn and grow from each other as they intently work within an ensemble setting. Energetic professors and guest professionals create the necessary environment for productive rehearsals as well as lively classes. Students who wish to are encouraged to produce their own performances.
Original work, structured improvisation, integrating movement/music/words into a focused theatre/dance piece as well as more traditional constructions of plays and dance are all part of the production landscape at Luther.
DESIGN AND TECHNICAL WORK at Luther
It you have an interest in design, stage management, construction, lighting, sound or costuming, you can take part in creating environments for performance. From research, to sketching, to drafting and designing, to construction and implementation, students at Luther work along side faculty and professionals in making the various environments required for performance. The Jewel Theatre and the spaces that support it are learning/teaching settings that creatively engage students to become a part of the complete production experience.
CHOREOGRAPH/DIRECT at Luther
The department provides students opportunities to compose original works of dance, dance/theatre, and performance. Progressing through courses in Movement Fundamentals with the support of study in Movement Composition, students choose to create performance works within the venue of the Theatre/Dance Department as well as within the venue of the larger college community. Site-specific work has found dancers moving in the college farm, on the college green, and in tunnels connecting campus buildings.
As designers and actors gain more experience, the desire to shape a production of their own grows. Students are encouraged to propose directing projects ranging from one-acts to original work. Like choreographers, student directors are inventive in finding performing spaces not only in the Center for the Arts but other unique venues on campus including Marty’s cyber cafe; lounges of residence halls; the recital hall of the Center for Faith and Life; and the lecture hall of the science building.
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