Theatre

Return to: School of Arts and Sciences

Faculty:
Jaros - Interim Chair, Ann Lile and Jim Lile
Thomas E. Taylor Performing Arts Center 237 • 417-625-9393

Mission

The Theatre Department affirms the mission of Missouri Southern State University and contributes to it by committing to the total education of each student. Every member of the theatre faculty is dedicated to the highest quality teaching and learning of both general education and discipline specific materials. The department prepares its majors for a large variety of careers as well as graduate education. In addition to providing scholarly and creative expression for students through its production program, it exposes the community to a diverse assortment of topical and global issues. The Theatre Department is at the very center of most creative and artistic on-campus and community events through its involvement in all cultural activities housed in Taylor Auditorium.

Implementation

The theatre faculty works closely with students in an effort to continually improve their learning experiences. Independent studies are offered each semester and new courses are introduced upon students’ requests. When possible, instructors take students with them to professional conventions and conferences. Academic and performance requirements are designed to accommodate various learning styles and artistic intelligences. Faculty and students work side by side in our co-curricular production program.

A Strong Commitment to International Education:

The Theatre Department supports the international mission of the university in its theatre classrooms, on its stages and especially in the international plays selected for themed semesters. As students must become aware of the global nature of all information and comprehend the international arena in which most topical issues reside, the theatre continues to provide a fertile ground upon which to inspire such a comprehension. International travel is encouraged for all faculty and students of the department.

A Strong Commitment to Liberal Arts and General Education Requirements:

Every member of the theatre faculty is dedicated to each and every student in the university. TH 0110 - Theatre Appreciation  , the departmental General Education/Core 42 Requirements course for area 5B Fine Arts, provides many students with their first theatre experience; an experience about which they can think, speak and write. TH 0220 - Professional Interaction  is a new course that is an option for General Education/Core 42 Requirements in area 2B Oral Communications.

Scholarly and Creative Expression:

All theatre productions are the end product of scholarly and creative expressions. Directors, designers and actors continually research different eras, cultures, social mores and customs and historical, economic, political and literary influences in an attempt to bring accurate realities to the stage. The Theatre Department brings a balanced, comprehensive variety of plays to its students and audiences. Additionally, graduating seniors develop and complete a creative project showcasing their unique interests and talents.

Community Service:

All of the Theatre Department’s productions, raising a diverse range of topics, are performed for the campus and public communities. The children’s theatre program alone, plays to approximately 10,000 people each year. The Theatre Department is responsible for the operation of Taylor Auditorium, a 2000-seat auditorium that serves as a venue for events sponsored by both on campus organizations and community groups.

Specialized theatre training provides students with a broad academic background that can lead to a number of careers:

Theatre Performance/Design • Television Production/Performance • Commercials • Public Relations • Stage Management • Graduate Study • Technical Theatre • Business • Secondary Education • Ministry • Professional Wardrobe Technician • Theme Park Performance/Production

Features Unique to Theatre Department:

1. Working side-by-side with faculty in acting, house and stage management, directing, technical production and design.
2. A children’s theatre program performing for more than 10,000 people annually from the four-state area.
3. Theatre faculty members who have professional experience in their teaching specialties.
4. Two theatre organizations: Southern Players and Alpha Psi Omega, a national honorary fraternity.
5. The Missouri Shakespeare Festival.

The Theatre Department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in theatre and a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in Theatre/Speech. A minor in theatre is also available.

More detailed information is available in the theatre office, Taylor Performing Arts Center 237.

For additional information contact:
Anne Jaros
Taylor Performing Arts 237
417-625-3044 • jaros-a@mssu.edu

Programs

• Theatre Major, BA, TH00

• Theatre Minor, TH80

• Costume Technology Certificate, Theatre, TH92
• Theatre Stage Technology Certificate, TH90
• Theatrical Design Certificate, TH91

Courses

• TH 0101 - Theatre Performance
• TH 0102 - Theatre Performance
• TH 0110 - Theatre Appreciation
• TH 0121 - Theatre Laboratory
• TH 0122 - Theatre Laboratory
• TH 0142 - Theatre Technology
• TH 0201 - Theatre Performance
• TH 0202 - Theatre Performance
• TH 0212 - Oral Interpretation
• TH 0220 - Professional Interaction
• TH 0221 - Theatre Laboratory
• TH 0222 - Theatre Laboratory
• TH 0231 - Speech for Stage I
• TH 0232 - Costume Technology
• TH 0233 - Stage Makeup
• TH 0234 - Introduction to Theatrical Design
• TH 0235 - Speech for Stage II
• TH 0240 - Stage Combat and Physical Characterization
• TH 0241 - Acting I (Writing Intensive)
• TH 0242 - Theatre Movement I
• TH 0243 - Musical Theatre
• TH 0251 - Audition Techniques for the Actor
• TH 0252 - Introduction to Western Drama
• TH 0298 - Topics in Theatre
• TH 0301 - Theatre Performance
• TH 0302 - Theatre Performance
• TH 0311 - Stage Management
• TH 0320 - Stage Lighting
• TH 0321 - Theatre Laboratory
• TH 0322 - Theatre Laboratory
• TH 0331 - History of the Theatre I
• TH 0332 - History of the Theatre II
• TH 0341 - Acting II
• TH 0351 - Directing I
• TH 0361 - History of Costume
• TH 0362 - Stage Costume Design
• TH 0363 - Costume History II
• TH 0372 - Directing II
• TH 0382 - Sound Design
• TH 0401 - Theatre Performance
• TH 0402 - Theatre Performance
• TH 0422 - Acting III
• TH 0423 - Acting IV
• TH 0431 - Creative Dramatics
• TH 0441 - Stage Design
• TH 0450 - Advanced Lab Practicum
• TH 0489 - Senior Project I
• TH 0490 - Senior Project II
• TH 0491 - Internship in Theatre
• TH 0498 - Topics in Theatre
• TH 0499 - Independent Study in Theatre

Return to: School of Arts and Sciences