NSU’s dynamic, rewarding theatre major provides a foundation for theatre students considering a professional or semi-professional career in theatre, graduate studies in theatre to participate in dramatic arts at the secondary level, or working with community theaters.

    About The Program

    As a theatre major at NSU, you’ll work toward a liberal arts degree with emphasis on performance and studio activity.

     

    Northern theatre offers opportunities to be involved in several productions each year. You can take part in campus productions and gain experience in acting, directing, stage management, lighting, makeup, stagecraft and musical theatre.

     

    Students graduating with a B.A. in theatre must register for THEA 491 Senior Show.  

    Careers

    We’re happy to offer career planning assistance so you can make informed and satisfying decisions related to your career and educational goals.

     

    Possible careers include acting, community theater manager/director, directing, design, education, film, graduate studies, sound and light technician, stagehand, stage management, theater management, television, and work in the theme park industry.

     

    For more information on careers in your major or help choosing a major, contact Career Services.

    Internships

    Internships are not required for this program.

    Scholarships

    Scholarships are awarded through the Northern State University Foundation. For more information, please contact NSU Financial Aid at 605-626-2640 or the NSU Foundation at 605-626-2550.

    NSU Scholarships

    Sample Plans of Study
    Contact Information

    For more information about this degree, call 605-626-2267. Or, contact NSU Admissions at 605-626-2544 or admissions@northern.edu.

    Ph.D. in Theater Studies, University of California at Santa Barbara

    MFA in Theatre Performance, Arizona State University

    BA in Theatre Arts, University of Pennsylvania

     

    Dr. Anderson joined the faculty at NSU in the Fall of 2019. Previously, he served as a professor at Hendrix College, Pacific Lutheran University, and the University of Puget Sound.

     

    His research interests include acting, directing, performance studies, comic studies, and popular culture. Many of his scholarly publications feature his ethnographic research in cosplayers at San Diego’s Comic-Con International. Dr. Anderson is currently working on his book manuscript examining superheroes as iconic performances of Americanism.

     

    Kane is also an accomplished actor and director who has worked on stages across the country.

     

    M.F.A.  Minnesota State University-Mankato

    B.A.  Minot State University

     

    Noah Files, assistant professor of theatre design and tech, previously taught at Wabash College (Indiana), Fresno State University (California), and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. His professional credits include the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, New York Stage and Film, Liederkranz Opera Theatre, Minot Summer Theatre, and Western Plains Opera Company. He is also a member of USITT and the Guild of Scenic Artists.

    B.A., Northern State University

    Brian Omland serves as the production manager for the School of Fine Arts. He continues to expand his knowledge and experience in set construction, lighting design, and special effects for the stage. He worked on the Northern productions of Sondheim on Sondheim, Man of La Mancha, Silent Sky, Fun Home, The Brain From Planet X, She Kills Monsters, Lasso of Truth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, God of Carnage, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, among others.

    B.M.E. University of Illinois
    M.M. Cleveland Institute of Music
    D.M.A. North Dakota (currently)
     
    Tenor Michael Skyles joined the music faculty at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., in 2009. Mr. Skyles received a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Illinois in 1992, and obtained his masters of music in vocal performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music in 1996. A certified vocologist, he specializes in voice lessons, vocal pedagogy, and diction for singers, and is music director for theatre at Northern.
     

    Born and raised in the Chicago area, he previously maintained a private voice studio and taught voice at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. In recent years, his students have advanced to compete at the national level. In 2009, one of his students was selected to be a finalist with the NFAA YoungArts…