Who should be a Theatre major/minor
Students who are interested in becoming a Theatre major, should consider the following:
Dedication - Talent, commitment, creativity, hard work, energy, and discipline are key personal qualities required for success in the Theatre program here at UW-Green Bay and in successful theater careers. Those that are truly dedicated to the profession will meet the demands of the program.
Commitment - Ask yourself these questions before choosing the Theatre major: Do you really enjoy being involved in theatre? Do you think you can probably have a career in Business or Communications? Career opportunities are as possible in Theatre as they are in any other field. Commitment and dedication is necessary to any serious career. Do you think you could have a career in Theatre? If you answered yes to these, then Theatre might be the right choice for you!
Challenge - Theatre majors must complete an interdisciplinary minor. Although many students majoring in Theatre will select an interdisciplinary minor or even a double major in Arts Management there are a number of very common and effective interdisciplinary minors that are excellent to add breadth to a student's professional preparation.
Common Minors
We have had students follow multiple different interdisciplinary minors (even a few Human Biology minors), but the list below shows the most common combinations of the Theatre Major and an Interdisciplinary Minor.
Design Arts
This is an ideal minor for theatre design ad technology students. The skills are directly applicable to the theatre design and production process. The only difficulty is that both Theatre and Design Arts are so demanding in the upper level curriculum that it is usually necessary to complete an addition semester or academic year to complete this exceptional combination of programs.
Humanistic Studies
The Literature base of this minor is a perfect match for Theatre
Women's Studies
So much of 20th century theatre literature has emphasized a woman's perspective and this can support any area of theatrical preparation.
Human Development
We have had a number of Stage Management and Directing Students who have thoroughly enjoyed and utilized this minor to compliment their theatre preparation. It is an art form completely focused on the human condition and what better minor to prepare directors.
Social Change and Development
So often theatre is an art form with a social conscience and this combination of preparation and education brings a broader world view to work on theatre productions.
Education
There is an increasing number of students interested in teaching theatre at the High School level they complete a minor in Secondary Education.
Urban Studies
We have had numerous Design students follow this interdisciplinary minor. It adds a wonderful social perspective to the development of visual environments theatrical design.
Who Should Have This Minor
Some majors that work well with the Theatre minor are Education, Arts Management, Design Arts, Humanistic Studies, Human Development, and Business Administration.
Tips from Jeff Entwistle, Professor of Theatre
Perhaps the most important thing to remember in the Theatre program is to "work and play well with others." The program atmosphere is team oriented, where everyone works with and gets along with each other. No program is going to require you to be friends with everyone and yet throughout like you will have to learn to work with a wide variety of people with different interests and goals. This is reflective of the Theatre field as a whole also. If you plan on entering this field, you will be working in a collaborative artistic environment that depends on freedom of expression and the ability of all production team members to work together toward a singular creative vision. Connect with the Faculty Advisor in Theatre right away even if uncertain about your decision to major or minor as I can offer good advice that will take general education into account. Also, don't just rely on SIS for advising. Please stop in and see or e-mail the theatre advisor as each student situation can be quite different. SIS only lists requirements and it does not give a sense of order to your study in terms of what is best to allow students to successfully develop and mature in the program.