State University Theatre and Dance
Our production season offers a wide variety of genres and styles to provide students with broad educational possibilities.
In addition to the standard fare from classics to musicals, SDSU is also home to the Festival of New Plays in which students will work on the development of new plays with visiting professional playwrights.
The SDSU School of Performing Arts would like to welcome you to another Theatre and Dance season! We are excited to continue our rich tradition of quality education for our students and great entertainment for our patrons!
Developed around the overarching theme: Second Chances, our season allows us all the opportunity to explore where life would take us if we had gone down a different path.
A New Brain
Oct. 8-10, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11, 2 p.m.
Oscar Larson Theatre
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Known for its quirky humor and poignant moments, this musical is a reflective tale of a children’s TV show composer who faces a life-threatening brain condition who must confront his mortality, relationships and the meaning of art.
Contains mature language and themes.
*included in season subscription
Blithe Spirit
Nov. 12-14, 7 p.m.
Nov. 15, 2 p.m.
Oscar Larson Theatre
By Noel Coward
Novelist Charles Condomine holds a seance to research his new book and accidentally summons the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, who then haunts his second wife, Ruth, resulting in hilarious chaos and mayhem!
*included in season subscription
A Christmas Celebration
Dec. 4-5, 7 p.m.
Dec. 6, 2 p.m.
Oscar Larson Theatre
Dance Performance
Displaying the talents of SDSU dancers, alums and community members, we celebrate a Christmas story, the story of a birth that changed the world, in hopes that this performance may inspire you to pause and return to your own story.
*not included in season subscription
Almost Maine
Feb. 18-20, 7 p.m.
Feb. 21, 2 p.m.
Fishback Studio Theatre
By John Cariani
On a clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not what it seems in the remote town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways.
Contains mature language and themes.
*included in season subscription
Charlotte's Web
April 15-17, 7 p.m.
April 18, 2 p.m.
Oscar Larson Theatre
Adapted by Joseph Robinette
Based on the book by E.B. White
Wilbur, a runt pig, is saved from slaughter by a young girl named Fern. When Wilbur is moved to the Zuckerman barn, he befriends Charlotte, a wise spider who saves his life by spinning words like "Some Pig" and "Miracle" into her web to convince the farmers he is special. A beautiful piece of theatre for young audiences about friendship that will leave audiences in awe!
*included in season subscription
Spring Dance Concert – Renewal
April 23-24, 7 p.m.
April 25, 2 p.m.
Oscar Larson Theatre
Through the development of original choreography, students work with the dance ensemble director to imagine how the theme inspires dance composition and provides opportunity for creativity.
*not included in season subscription
By pursuing a major or minor in theatre, students gain experience in acting, directing, design/technical production, arts management and movement for the stage. Students have the opportunity to participate in four main-stage shows either on stage or behind the scenes. Additionally, each summer, Prairie Repertory Theatre provides students with an intensive hands-on experience while producing four productions.
The theatre major requires 45 credit hours, though many students take more credits than required during their undergraduate experience. One of the advantages of a liberal arts theatre degree is the ability to double-major. Students may tailor their undergraduate studies to their specific needs or interests. Our theatre students often pair that major with disciplines such as: English education, speech education, marketing/advertising, interior design or even electrical engineering.
Our Graduates
Our graduates find a variety of avenues for success in professions in theatre and dance and other areas of endeavor as well. They are well prepared for focused graduate study due to the practical experience gained at SDSU. Many have excelled in MFA programs at schools like Yale, Michigan State, the University of Southern California, Indiana University and more.
Others thrive in the profession as performers, designers, technicians or managers, working on national tours or with resident companies. Some pursue careers as theatre educators in K-12 or higher education. The skills our graduates acquire also serve them well in business, communications, human resources and any career requiring discipline, organization and strong communication skills.
The mission of the theatre program at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ is to provide a broad-based liberal arts education in theatre through hands-on involvement that encourages creative and personal growth artistically, personally and socially. In addition, the department serves as a cultural and artistic resource for the university, community, state and region.
The American College Theatre Festival is a national organization for theatre in higher education. SDSU is a regular participant in various programs that offer performance scholarship and special grant competitions. Our students have had great success. Some of them have been awarded opportunities to participate in the national festival.
The United States Institute for Theatre Technology is an organization dedicated to the professional development in technical aspects of theatre. Students frequently attend the institute’s Annual Conference and Stage Exposition, where they participate in workshops and have opportunities to network with student peers and professionals.
SDSU’s Prairie Repertory Theatre presents more production experiences. Each summer PRT produces and performs four musicals/plays. The PRT company has been in existence for nearly 50 years. Many alumni say their experiences with PRT were among the most significant of their undergraduate training.
