
They’re Show StartersÂ
This is—as they say—where the magic happens. Our stages include a thrust and two black boxes. Our dance studios sport sprung floors. Our scenery and shops are more than well-equipped for a college our size. Plus, the Nobel Hall of Science renovation brought state-of-the-art theatrical lighting and sound, and new black box theatre.
What’s Cool About It
The thrust stage of Evelyn Anderson Theatre is almost the shape of the Guthrie Theater’s in Minneapolis, and it has brand-new seating. The Rob and Judy Laboratory Theatre, new in 2020, is one of the most flexible performance spaces in the state. If behind-the-scenes is your scene, our scene shop, costume shop, hair and make-up room, and costume dye vat are also some of the best in our class. Alumni of the Theatre and Dance Department have gone on to work in movies, television, and performance venues, like the Kennedy Center, Parenthood (the series), Fargo (the series), Orange is the New Black (we could go on…).
Who will you find here

Rob and Judy Gardner Laboratory Theatre
The Laboratory Theatre enables students to experiment with new modes of creation encouraging them to perform, choreograph, design, devise, direct, and write for the future. Features of the space include:
- Flexibility for classes: accessible lab space specifically created for theatre and dance classes focusing on performance, directing, dance, design, and technical production.
- Flexibility for performances: creative and adaptable space for nearly every style of performance. The venue exposes students and audiences to a wider variety of performance practices.
- Cutting edge technology: much like the sciences, new technology drives the tools we use to create our art. This space provides state-of-the-art tools and equipment to stay on the leading edge of education and training for the next generations of Gustie artists.
- Additional spaces include a scene shop, dressing rooms, costume, hair and make-up room, and new dye vat for bulk dyeing of costumes.
The Evan and Evelyn Anderson Theatre
Designed by the renowned architectural firm of Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, the 270-seat Anderson Theatre with a thrust stage has been called "striking and comfortable," "one of the best college playhouses in the state," the space is used for both theatre and dance performances.


Kresge Dance Studio
Featuring a beautiful, sprung dance floor, the Kresge Studio is used for classes, rehearsals, and performances of student choreography.
Small Dance Studio
The small dance studio, also known as Li'l Krez, is a small studio featuring a sprung floor which is used as a warm-up and small group rehearsal space.
The Black Box
Home to student-directed productions throughout the year, the fifty-seat Black Box serves also as a primary rehearsal space and as the studio for acting and directing classes.
Scenery and Costume Shops
Well-equipped scenery and costume shops provide working laboratories for students of technical theatre. It is here that the scenery, properties, and costumes for theatre and dance performances are constructed.