Each year, State University Theatre produces four major musicals or plays, two dance concerts and two student-directed productions. This gives students the chance to work in several different areas both on the stage and behind the scenes. Our seasons include a wide array of genres and styles. Our selections to allow students to gain experience in different sorts of shows. During a student’s four years of study they can expect to work on classic and contemporary musicals, classical plays (such as Shakespeare or Moliere), modern comic or dramatic classics by writers like Arthur Miller or Sam Shepard, original plays or musicals and Theatre for Young Audiences plays and musicals. While we wish to select productions the campus community will enjoy, we also want to give our students the broadest “vocabulary” possible.
SDSU’s Prairie Repertory Theatre (PRT) 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.
By pursuing a major or minor in Theatre, students gain experience in acting, directing, design/technical production, arts management and movement for the stage. During the academic year, 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 diverse productions.
Our Mission
The Mission of the Theatre Department at South Dakota State University 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, we serve as a cultural and artistic resource for the University, community, state and region.