Act, direct, design, write, study—you can do it all.
Students graduate from our program able to produce excellent work in all areas of theatre: acting, directing, design, management and dramaturgy. Our curriculum trains students as theatre generalists who possess the full range of skills for a career in theatre. Broad training is supplemented by concentrated study in one of the following areas: acting, design and technology, or dramaturgy.
Theatre training provides essential skills.
57% of business leaders surveyed in 2018 said they believed soft skills were the most important. Perhaps that’s because soft skills translate to any career path and most aspects of being a great employee, teammate, and leader.
In 2019, LinkedIn named it “the most important skill in the world.” The World Economic Forum (WEF) placed it third on a list of the “10 skills you need to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Surprisingly, it is not data science or artificial intelligence, but something much softer: creativity.
According to Entrepreneur Magazine, “as the COVID-19 outbreak became more and more serious, companies learned a valuable lesson: the difference between success and failure is creativity…creativity has not only become highly valuable, but a way to survive…Creatives are the ones who are keeping brands afloat.”
Critical and Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving
Organization
Time Management
Personal and Professional Initiative
Personal and Professional Resilience
Collaboration
Communication (Speaking and Listening)
Imagination and a Growth Mindset
Cultural Awareness and Appreciation
Self-Confidence
Want to teach theatre? We do that, too.
In addition to a theatre major, we offer a theatre education major for students interested in becoming theatre teachers. Broad training in theatre is supplemented by coursework in education.
<blockquote class="callout-quote"><div class="callout-quote-text"><p> “Because it is such a small department, each professor takes the time to really help and get to know you as a person, actor and student.”</p></div><footer class="callout-quote-footer">Emma Wohlstadter ’23</footer></blockquote>
For majors and non-majors alike.
While many students choose theatre, our program also offers opportunities for students in other majors who want to continue to perform, direct, design or crew. Many of our theatre students also take advantage of opportunities at Monmouth in music and art.
As a special benefit of our program, all theatre majors receive a free professional headshot. See samples and meet our current majors below.
The Lost Boys (from left, Dareann Pettis, Jadyn Craig, Ray Shaul, Emma Romano, Calista Lythgoe) attempt to revive Wendy (Kiersten Fuhr) as Peter Pan (Drew Carlson) looks on. Peter Pan (or The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up) will be presented Nov. 16-19 at Wells Theater. It is produced with support from the Buchanan Center for the Arts, United Way of Greater Warren County, the Galesburg Community Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts. Read a preview of the production; check out more pictures from the photocall.
Explore religious and spiritual life through our diverse and welcoming programs.
The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life creates opportunities for religious and spiritual exploration, discussion, and development which provide openings for individuals and groups on campus to share in religious and spiritual growth, mutual understanding and engage with the community.
Programming and faith-based activities include ecumenical worship services, the Lux Center, diverse representation of religious and spiritual groups, and an annual faith-based alternative spring break trip.
We know the Peace Corps is seriously competitive. We’ve got you.
The Peace Corps Prep program prepares students for international development, fieldwork and Peace Corps service. Our students focus on training and experience in a specific work sector, foreign language skills, professional and leadership development and intercultural literacy.
Prepare for a rich personal and professional life and positions of leadership, service, and citizenship in a global context from former Peace Corps faculty.