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Majors and Minors
Majors:
Theatre
Theatre Performance
Technical Direction
Theatrical Costume Design
Theatrical Stage Management
Minors:
Theatre
Dance
Vital to the liberal arts tradition, a Carthage theatre education enables students to contribute meaningfully to both the world of theatre and the world-at-large.
New Play Initiative: Prominent American Playwrights Working with You
Carthage Theatre is committed to creating exciting, compelling new theatre works. Since 2008, Carthage Theatre has commissioned playwrights of prominence from around the country and the world to create original plays for our department, and work closely with our students to bring them to life. These works receive their world premieres here at Carthage. This unique opportunity means that our students collaborate with playwrights currently active in the highest levels of the theatre world. Read more about the New Play Initiative.
Academic Choice
Carthage theatre students can take courses in theatre history, directing, playwriting, dance, scene design, costume design, light design, and scenic painting, among others.
See what Carthage Theatre students have to say
Degree Options
Carthage offers bachelor of arts degrees in theatre, theatre performance and technical production design. Carthage also offers teacher licensure, a dance minor, and an interdisciplinary degree in music theatre with the Music Department. Admission to the program is contingent on an audition.
Performing and Directing Opportunities
Students have many opportunities to be directly engaged in their craft as Carthage produces four faculty- or guest-directed Main Stage shows each year (one of which is always a musical), as well as multiple student-directed productions in our studio space. Our Dance Program features a yearly faculty-choreographed concert as well as a student concert. Student directors also stage 2-3 full-length productions a year in our 80-seat studio space. (See current season.)
Hands-on Learning
Acting students receive four semesters of acting theory, voice training, body alignment, and scene work. Students are involved in every aspect of theatrical production. These duties include hanging lights, sewing costumes, stage management, and many others.
Scholarships for Theatre Students
Admitted students intending to major or minor in theatre, performance, or technical theatre production and design are strongly encouraged to audition for a Carthage Theatre Scholarship. These auditions are held every February.
Visiting Professionals
In addition to commissioning guest playwrights through the New Play Initiative, Carthage regularly invites respected professional theatre practitioners to campus to work with students. Recent visiting professionals include Tony Award-winning scenic designer Todd Rosenthal, Steppenwolf casting director Erica Daniels, and Milwaukee Repertory Theater associate artistic director Sandy Ernst. Learn more about visiting professionals at Carthage.
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