Opportunities for Performance and Involvement in all Disciplines

In a normal year, the department produces four mainstage plays, two dance concerts, and a variable number of student-directed plays and senior projects. For most productions roughly half of the student participants are majors or minors. Dance students may audition for The Gustavus Dance Company and the Apprentice Company as well as for the two dance concerts. Mainstage shows represent a variety of styles and time periods and are intended to entertain and challenge. In alternating years, the department produces a major musical.

Please click here to see the current season's performance schedule.

There are numerous ways to participate in our work at the Department of Theatre and Dance. If you are not immediately cast in a faculty-directed production, we highly encourage you to stay connected. Watch for the many opportunities in student-directed and student choreographed shows. Work back stage and get to know the actors, tech and crew folks and directors. Volunteer for a light hang, and build your way toward lighting design. Watch for emails and postings around the building for others ways to get involved.

Acting

Mainstage Shows

• The theatre program annually produces four main stage shows in a wide variety of styles and genres.
• Auditions for the year usually take place during fall semester (even for spring productions) so students will have the opportunity to register for the production for credit. Students interested in auditioning are encouraged to read the play before the audition and, whenever possible, to prepare a short memorized monologue of their own choosing. Specific audition information is posted prior to all audition dates. 
• Current theatre students hold audition workshops most semesters and are happy to help you find or practice a monologue.

Student Shows

Advanced Theatre students create a number of projects each year that need actors, designers, stage managers and technicians. Alternate (even) years, the department sponsors a Theatre Gallery with a number of one-act plays directed by students. The opposite year will feature a Festival of 10-minute Plays directed by members of the directing class. They are always looking for dedicated actors.

Social Justice Theatre

Social Justice Soup is an annual showcase for work by the Creating Social Justice Theatre class and other interested performers. Spoken word, monologues, songs, scenes are all welcome.

Dance

The Companies

There are two dance companies at Gustavus. Auditions for the Gustavus Dance Company and the Gustavus Apprentice Dance Company are held the last week of classes during spring semester for returning students, and during orientation for first-year students.

The annual spring dance concert is a fully produced set of work and features work of faculty choreographers, guest artists, and select student work.

Choreographers’ Gallery

In odd fall semesters (for example, fall of ’19) Choreographers' Gallery presents select works of advanced choreography students. This opportunity is by application, due in the previous spring. Talk to your advisor for more information. Auditions for these projects are open to all interested dancers (membership in a Gustavus company is not required). Auditions are held in the beginning of the fall semester.

Shared Space

A student-directed showcase for new dance and theatre pieces, offered in the fall of even years. Shared Space is a great place to experiment or get started with the idea of choreography. Auditions are announced early in the semester, and all are invited to give Shared Space a whirl.

Further participation opportunities are offered during the year through alternative, experimental, or student-produced projects, Advanced Research projects and Honors projects. Specific audition information is posted prior to all audition dates.

Design and Technology

Mainstage Shows

Students can work as designers, design assistants, carpenters, electricians, stitchers, and backstage crews for both department and student productions. To participate as a designer or design assistant in the area of scenery, costumes, lighting, or sound students must complete an application in consultation with the area advisor; this must be done in the spring previous to the year the student would like to design or assist. Designers and design assistants will then be chosen based on the criteria and questions listed in the application. Students interested in working in one of the production shops should talk to the head of the shop in their area of interest. Students who are interested in working backstage on department productions should speak with a faculty member or our technical director.

Student Productions

Student-produced work often provides excellent opportunities for student designers and technicians as well as for performers and directors. Watch for the chance to work with Shared Space, Honors Projects, One-Acts, and other projects in need of creative support in costumes, lighting, sets or sound. These groups will often be quite grateful when you offer to get involved.