The
study of theatre is firmly grounded in the liberal arts, integrating
knowledege and principles from many academic and artistic disciplines,
including speech/communication, art, music, history, English, literature,
business, philosophy, and religion. Both the curriculum and dramatic
productions by the Theatre Arts Department offer valuable cross-disciplinary
connections for the campus while also providing a solid base in
classical, modern, contemporary, and multicultural theatre.
Augsburg’s location in the heart of a major theatre center
makes it an ideal place to study theatre. At Augsburg we seek to
create every opportunity for students to grow both as theatre artists
and scholars, by encouraging connections between our campus and the
greater arts community while also exploring connections between theory
and application. Student opportunity to make these connections includes
course study, theatrical production work, participation in the Artist
Series (an annual series of events featuring visiting theatre professionals
from the Twin Cities community who work closely with students), and
attendance at numerous professional productions in the Twin Cities.
Augsburg theatre productions are treated as unique learning laboratories
where students can enter into creative collaboration with faculty
and professional artists-in-residence.
In addition to learning skills specific to theatre, students in
theatre arts learn valuable
skills applicable to other professions: collaboration, verbal and
non-verbal communication, organization, critical thinking, leadership,
creativity, and self-expression. Involvement in theatre arts can
help prepare students for such careers as law, education, business,
communication, and journalism, as well as prepare theatre students
for careers in professional or academic theatre, television, and
film. In order to prepare the stuent for graduate school or the workplace,
the department encourages a second major or minor in such fields
as art, English, education, film, music, history, sociology, or religion.
