We Create Creators
The Department's mission emphasizes the value of performance as a vital means of working for social justice and transformative personal development. You'll explore new ideas and experiment with techniques in our innovative courses, where we seek to understand not only how, but also why we must make art, who we are, and what we mean to say. Students process these questions through multiple opportunities to perform, design, write, craft, build, choreograph, collaborate, direct, and devise in faculty productions and student-led projects.
When you join the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Department of Theatre and Dance, the spotlight's on you. You'll put your rigorous coursework and diligent practice on display in live productions throughout the academic year with the help of a group of knowledgeable faculty and enthusiastic peers. Â鶹ÊÓƵ Theatre & Dance is where imagination dances with personal transformation and creative excellence acts with a social conscience.
You will complete your time at Â鶹ÊÓƵ prepared for graduate study and professional work in the fields of theatre and dance. Your degree also provides you with experience and confidence in collaboration, creative imagination, self-expression, problem-solving, critical analysis, and empathy—abilities crucial to every professional pursuit and every walk of life.
Majors, Minors, and Related Programs
Whether it's behind the scenes or center stage, discover your unique place within the performing arts with courses that challenge your assumptions and support your career path. Our faculty artists are with you every step of the way, encouraging you to take creative risks in the pursuit of art that is passionate, bold, and true to you.
Majors are encouraged to develop individual identities as artist-thinkers and creative communicators. We prepare you for a life of leadership, service, justice, and excellence in the arts, culture, and the business of the future. Advanced seminars and capstone experiences enable you to develop and articulate your own unique senses of vocation, purpose, and creative vision for life and art beyond college.
Unforgettable Moments Unfold on Stage
Experience the power of live performance by attending a Theatre and Dance production at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Explore the full season, which is always filled with captivating narratives and breathtaking choreography. Join us for a show!
Upcoming Events
Opportunities in Theatre and Dance
Play Your Part
There are many ways to participate in the Department of Theatre and Dance. From main stage productions to student-directed and student-choreographed shows, you can claim the spotlight or manage the production backstage. From the costume shop, control booth, or stage, you will build a strong community with the student-actors, tech and crew, and directors. There are opportunities for internships, studying abroad, scholarships for financial support, and guidance on launching your career in theatre and dance or any related profession.
Acting — There is a diverse range of productions, including mainstage shows, student shows, and social justice theatre. Gain valuable hands-on experiences and chances to explore various theatrical styles, genres, and themes
Dance — Through numerous class offerings and multiple dance companies, you'll grow as a dancer, gain performance experience, and collaborate with fellow dancers and choreographers
Design and Technology — Deepen your skills and understanding of the production process by working in scenery, costumes, lighting, or sound as a designer, carpenter, electrician, stitcher, stage manager, or backstage crew member
Scholarships — The Evelyn Anderson Theatre and Dance Scholarship rewards students who have demonstrated accomplishment and show potential for further growth
Internships and Study Away — Participating in internships and study-away programs provides valuable real-world experience and exposure to different cultural perspectives
Career Paths — A degree and involvement in Theatre and Dance opens up a variety of career paths. While many graduates pursue careers in the performing arts and complementary fields, many go into other areas that require creativity, collaboration, and communication skills
Performance and Learning Facilities — Discover advanced learning and performance spaces, including multiple performing spaces, well-equipped dance studios, and scenery/costume shops
Upcoming Events
Public Reception for Strangeness Should Flow Like Sugar, works by Anda Tanaka, with Artist Talk
- Fine Arts
Christmas in Christ Chapel 2025 Saturday Evening
- Fine Arts
- Signature Event
- Worship
Discovering Your Artistic Identity Starts at Â鶹ÊÓƵ
Located in Saint Peter, the beautiful Â鶹ÊÓƵ Â鶹ÊÓƵ campus is a perfect place to build supportive relationships with proximity to big-city cultural events and opportunities. The has a thriving performing arts culture, and you're just minutes away from the medium-sized city of Mankato and an hour from the dynamic Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. As a student in the Department of Theatre and Dance, you will have unique opportunities to experience performance, choreography, devising, design, technology, history, literature, and theory in the context of a multi-faceted liberal arts education.
Contact Theatre and Dance
Email:Ìýtdinfo [at] gustavus.edu (tdinfo[at]gustavus[dot]edu)
Phone:Ìý(507) 933-7353
Schaefer Fine Arts Theatre, 321
800 West College Avenue
Saint Peter, MN 56082