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Theatre

Theatre, Musical Theatre, Arts Administration and Events Management, Teaching Licensure

  • Major

Take the stage. Run the show behind the scenes.

Overview

We offer a theatre major and theatre teaching licensure for you to take an interdisciplinary approach to performance. With individualized education plans and opportunities, both on stage and behind the scenes in five to six productions each year, you will graduate with a wide range of experience in every aspect of theatre.

Our faculty will support you to express yourself creatively and make a positive impact on the world around you. You’ll have the opportunity to practice your talents in our season productions each year, ranging from musical comedy to social-driven drama. You’ll learn that theatre is more than just about performing, it is also a social service project that brings together communities. The skills you build in the program easily transfer to careers on stage, behind the scenes, in the front of the house, or even outside of the theatre. Faculty-led trips to New York City offer you a real-world glimpse into all aspects of theatre performance and management.

Majors

  • Theatre

  • Musical Theatre

  • Arts Administration and Events Management

Featured Theatre Student Story

theatre student Tanner Trigg
Theatre student - Liz Thornton

  • "At all the other schools I had to pick one – either track or theatre – I couldn’t do both. I get to do what I love here and didn’t have to give up anything.”

    Tanner Trigg '20, Theatre

    Doing it all is something Tanner applies to many aspects of his college experience. Although his primary focus is on theatre performance, through his coursework and participation in shows he has built a broad-based skillset. He has designed sets, worked with sound and lights, stage management, and has even recently learned to sew.

  • "What was really exciting about coming to McPherson was that I could do both on-stage and off-stage work. The other programs were going to make me choose.”

    Liz Thornton '20, Student-Designed Major: Theatre/Business/Communications

    Aside from being able to design her own major and not have to compromise on what she could focus on, Liz said McPherson College was also the most affordable choice.

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Additional Programs

  • Teaching Licensure

    Speech & Theatre

  • Minor

    Theatre

Experiences & Outcomes

  • 24-25 Theatre Season

    The five-show season includes "The Marvelous Wonderettes," "The Thanksgiving Play," and "Disney's Frozen Jr."

    24-25 Theatre Season
  • First Nighters dinner theatre

    First Nighters

    First Nighters dinner theatre membership includes a play-themed dining event for all mainstage shows before each performance. Contact the theatre box office at 620-242-0444 or at [email protected].

  • Alpha Psi Omega

    The theatre honor society offers a unique opportunity to experience theatre outside of the classroom. Members of APO plan, organize, and host a play-themed dining event at all mainstage shows for First Nighters, the season ticket holders organization. It is the longest running dinner theatre program in Kansas.

Virtual Tour

  • Brown Auditorium

    Brown Auditorium & Mingenback Theatre

    Take a 360° virtual tour of the performance spaces at McPherson College.

    Virtual Tour

Faculty & Staff

  • Steven Benne B.A.

    • Technical Director for the Theater

  • Jd Bowman M.F.A.

    • Professor of Theatre
    • “I love theatre as an agent of social change. I geek out about shows dealing with pop culture, LGBTQ+ issues, civil rights equality, and feminism. Beyonce’s visual album Lemonade is ten times better than anything ever produced by the whiney Taylor Swift (but you can still fight me on that). But I’m a super fan of my partner of over 20 years and our 4 kids.”
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Steven Benne

Get started.

Are you ready to see what you will do and who you will become at McPherson College? We’ll guide you through the admissions process and connect you with financial aid and scholarship opportunities to make it happen.

Admissions

See for yourself.

During your visit, you’ll meet faculty and students in your major and explore all that McPherson College and the community have to offer.

Visit McPherson