Theatre

Contact Information

George Roesler
Theatre Instructor

groesle@inverhills.edu
651-450-3588
FA148

Admissions Team

admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3000
College Center

The Theatre department at Inver Hills offers a wide variety of courses, both practical and theoretical, that will give you the experience and knowledge you need to harness your talent. You can begin by taking introductory film, cinema and theatre courses that teach you how to view and analyze performances. You can follow through by taking practicum courses that provide hands-on learning in essential theatrical areas, including:

Acting
Directing
Oral interpretation of literature
Set construction
Scene painting
Lighting

Props
Makeup
Publicity
Costuming
Stage management
Creative drama for children

The Theatre department features two venues ideally suited for live theatrical performances, the 300-seat Inver Hills Theatre and the more intimate Black Box Theatre. The former features three plays a year, including a children’s play in April for students in area elementary schools. Our students have worked on and performed in numerous college productions, including:

Rapunzel and the Frog Prince
Lend Me a Tenor
The Seagull
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
And Then There Were None
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged
The Shadow Box

Frankenstein
Dracula
Jesus Christ Superstar
Twelfth Night
Cinderella
Jack and the Beanstalk
Aladdin
Harvey

Our instructors bring strong academic credentials and professional experience to the theatre curriculum. Many continue to work on Twin Cities theatrical productions, directing and performing live. Former theatre students have gone on to become respected professional actors, designers and theatrical managers in the metro-area theatre community. Opportunities for both beginners and old hands, including the chance to participate in student-directed productions through Theatre Club, give our department an exciting, interconnected atmosphere.

Degrees

Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.),Theatre Transfer Pathway – 60 credits

The Theatre Transfer Pathway A.F.A. offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Fine Arts degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Theatre bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State Universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing the pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State Universities* enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.

The Theatre Pathway consists of the Required Pathway Curriculum, the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), and electives to bring your credit total to 60 credits.

*Universities within the Minnesota State system include Bemidji State University; Metropolitan State University; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Minnesota State University Moorhead; Southwest Minnesota State University; St. Cloud State University; and Winona State University.

Coursework Program Planning Guide

Theatre Pathway Curriculum – 20 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
*Required courses - 8 credits*
THTR 1105	Introduction to Theatre (Goal 6a)	3 cr
THTR 2152	Script Analysis (Goal 6a)	3 cr
THTR 1161	Theatre Activities¹	1 cr
Restricted Theatre Electives - 3-6 credits Complete at least 3 and no more than 6 credits
THTR 1152	Acting I (Goal 6a)	3 cr
THTR 2154	Design for the Theatre (Goal 6a)	3 cr
Theatre Electives - 6-9 credits Choose from the following courses:
THTR 2153	Acting II (Goal 6a)	3 cr
THTR 1157	Theatre Makeup (Goal 6a)	3 cr
THTR 1161	Theatre Activities	1 cr
THTR 1158	Creative Dramatics (Goal 6a)	3 cr
MUSC 1144	Broadway Musicals (Goal 6a, 8)	3 cr
ENG 2253	Shakespeare (Goal 6b)	3 cr
Total Credits:		20
¹Course is one credit; must be taken at least twice

General Electives - 6-12 credits

Electives may be courses numbered 1000 level or higher from any discipline. This may include additional courses from Theatre or the MnTC. Examples of non-MnTC courses that may be taken include the following disciplines: ACCT, BUS, CJS, CS, CRDV, EDU, EMS, ENGR, HLTH, HSER, ITC, PA and PE.

Additional General Education Requirements – 28-34 credits

The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) requires a minimum of 40 credits, some of which will be satisfied by the required theatre curriculum. You must complete the MnTC courses that are specifically designated below. You may choose the other courses from each goal area from the list located at: inverhills.edu/MnTC

To streamline your degree, you are encouraged to choose MnTC Goal 1-6 courses that also meet MnTC Goal areas 7-10.

Goal	Details	Courses Needed
Goal 1	Communication Goal 1a: ENG 1108 Writing & Research Skills Goal 1b: ENG 1111, 1114 OR 1130 (ENG 1114 recommended) Goal 1c: COMM 1100, 1110 OR 2230 (COMM 1110 recommended)	3 courses
Goal 2	Critical Thinking Satisfied by First Year Experience course or MnTC completion
Goal 3	Natural Science (1 with lab) Goal 3a (Life Science) course Goal 3b (Physical Sciences) course	2 courses
Goal 4	Mathematical/Logical Reasoning Goal 4 course (MATH 1101 or PHIL 1115 recommended)	1 course
Goal 5	History/Social Sciences/Behavioral Sciences (Include courses from at least two disciplines; recommend Psychology and Sociology courses) Goal 5 course Goal 5 course Goal 5 course	3 courses
Goal 6	Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature Goal 6a - Satisfied by THTR 1105 Goal 6b (Humanities/Literature) course Goal 6a or 6b - Satisfied by THTR 2152	3 courses
Goal 7	Human Diversity Goal 7 course	1 course
Goal 8	Global Perspectives Goal 8 course (THTR 1103 recommended)	1 course
Goal 9	Ethical and Civic Responsibility Goal 9 course	1 course
Goal 10	People and the Environment Goal 10 course	1 course
Total Credits:		28-34

Full-Time Recommended Course Of Study

Note: Not all courses will be available every semester. For a complete list of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goal Area course choices, please visit: inverhills.edu/MnTC

Semester 1 - 15-16 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
THTR 1105	Intro to Theatre (Goal 6a)	3 cr
THTR 1152 OR THTR 2154	Acting I OR Design for the Theatre (Goal 6a)	3 cr
THTR 1161	Theatre Activities	1 cr
First Year Experience Course (Goal 2)		1-2 cr
ENG 1108	Writing & Research Skills (Goal 1a, 2)	4 cr
COMM 1100 OR COMM 1110 OR COMM 2230	Interpersonal Communication (Goal 1, 7) OR Public Speaking (Goal 1, 2) OR Small Group Communication (Goal 1, 2)	3 cr
Total Credits:		15-16

Semester 2 - 14-15 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
Restricted THTR elective OR THTR Elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 6b/8	THTR 1103 Recommended	3 cr
THTR 1161	Theatre Activities	1 cr
ENG 1111 OR ENG 1114 OR ENG 1130	Research Writing (Goal 1b) OR The Research Paper OR Writing & Research for the Professions	2-3 cr
MnTC Goal 4 elective	MATH 1101 OR PHIL 1115 recommended	3-4 cr
HLTH 1155	Lifetime Fitness and Wellness (Health/PE)	2 cr
Total Credits:		14-15

Semester 3 - 15-16 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
Elective (THTR course)		3 cr
MnTC Goal 5/7 elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 5/9 elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 3a elective		3-4 cr
General elective¹		3 cr
Total Credits:		15-16

Semester 4 - 13-15 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
Elective (THTR course)		6 cr
MnTC Goal 3b/10 elective		3-4 cr
MnTC Goal 5 elective		3-4 cr
General elective¹		1-3 cr
Total Credits:		13-15

¹Electives may be 1000 level courses from any discipline, including additional MnTC Courses. Examples of non-MnTC courses that may be taken include the following disciplines: ACCT, BUS, CJS, CS, CRDV, EDU, EMS, ENG, HLTH, HSER, ITC, PA and PE.

Part-Time Recommended Course Of Study

Note: Not all courses will be available every semester. For a complete list of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goal Area course choices, please visit: inverhills.edu/MnTC

Semester 1 - 9-10 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
THTR 1105	Intro to Theatre (Goal 6a)	3 cr
THTR 1161	Theatre Activities	1 cr
First Year Experience course (Goal 2)		1-2 cr
ENG 1108	Writing & Research Skills (Goal 1a, 2)	4 cr
Total Credits:		9-10

Semester 2 - 9-10 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
THTR 1152 OR THTR 2154	Acting I OR Design for the Theatre (Goal 6a)	3 cr
THTR 1161	Theatre Activities	1 cr
MnTC Goal 4 elective	MATH 1101 or PHIL 1115 recommended	3 cr
ENG 1111 OR ENG 1114 OR ENG 1130	Research Writing (Goal 1b) OR The Research Paper OR Writing & Research for the Professions	2-3 cr
Total Credits:		9-10

Semester 3 - 11 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
Restricted THTR elective OR THTR Elective		3 cr
COMM 1100 OR COMM 1110 OR COMM 2230	Interpersonal Communication (Goal 1, 7) OR Public Speaking (Goal 1, 2) OR Small Group Communication (Goal 1, 2)	3 cr
MnTC Goal 6b/8 elective	THTR 1103 Recommended	3 cr
HLTH 1155	Lifetime Fitness and Wellness (Health/PE)	2
Total Credits:		11

Semester 4 - 9-10 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
Elective (THTR course)		3 cr
MnTC Goal 5/7 elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 3a elective		3-4 cr
Total Credits:		9-10

Semester 5 - 9 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
MnTC Goal 5/9 elective		3 cr
General elective¹		1-3 cr
Elective (THTR course)		3 cr
Total Credits:		9

Semester 6 - 10-12 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
Elective (THTR course)		3 cr
MnTC Goal 3b/10 elective		3-4 cr
MnTC Goal 5 elective		3-4 cr
General elective¹		1-3 cr
Total Credits:		10-12

Course Descriptions

THTR 1101 Introduction to Film 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 1101

Helps students understand, appreciate, and enjoy motion pictures from their inception to the present as an art form. A beginning approach to the history, theory, and criticism of the cinema and film industry. The relationship between form and contents is basic to this course.

THTR 1103 International Cinema 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 1103

Introduces the student to a study of major world cinemas, including influential filmmakers, screen personalities, and motion pictures. Important films are screened, discussed, and critically evaluated.

THTR 1105 Introduction to Theater 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 1105

Helps increase students' understanding of the performing arts. Introduces the student to the history and theory of plays, playwrights, and the various arts and crafts of the theatre. Students will attend two (2) play productions selected by the instructor.

THTR 1107 Film History I 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 1107

Surveys the History of Film from the silent era through the sound era of Classical Hollywood, with special focus on filmmakers, genres, and styles. Influential films are viewed and discussed.

THTR 1108 Film History II 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 1108

Surveys the History of Film from the classical studio system to the contemporary American Independents. The focus of the course is on analysis and interpretation of films and evolving national traditions of cinema. Influential films are viewed and discussed.

THTR 1152 Acting I 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 1152

Develops students' understanding of and skills in the theories and practices of stage acting. Exercises, games and discussion develop individual skills in the beginning actor.

THTR 1157 Theatre Makeup 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 1157

Introduces the student to the theory, technique, and application of makeup for the theatre. Emphasis placed on practical application of the makeup.

THTR 1158 Creative Dramatics 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 1158

Helps students develop skills in the use of creative drama activities. Skills are to be applied to guide children in the creation and dramatization of poems, stories, historical events, and other literature. Units on children's theatre and puppetry are included.

THTR 1161 Theatre Activities 1.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 1161

Provide students opportunities to participate in a theatre production on campus through acting, set construction, scene painting, lighting props, makeup, costuming and/or stage management. This course may be repeated for credit. Students will engage in a minimum of 50 hours on aspects of play production arranged with the instructor.

THTR 1185 Directing/Acting 2.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 1185

In this practicuum course, students will have the opportunity to learn the basics of directing actors, including choosing scripts, defining character motivation, and working with stage movement and composition. Actors will have the opportunity to practice and develop their skills with novice directors. Students will have the opportunity to both act and direct under the guidance of the Director/Acting instructor. The final project of the course will be an in-class or public performance. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

THTR 2152 Script Analysis 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 2152

Focus on analyzing play scripts with a view to discovering production and performance values and aesthetics. Students will read, interpret and respond to a wide variety of plays from different periods and styles. Critical analysis of structure, character, theme, dialogue, genre, and style relating to the play script. Emphasis placed on plays as performance texts and fundamental techniques used by actors, directors and designers to analyze scripts in preparation for performance.

THTR 2153 Acting II 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 2153

Develops student understanding of and skills in more advanced theories and practices of stage acting. Attention will be paid to Shakespeare.

THTR 2154 Design for the Theatre 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 2154

Introduces the concepts, process, and practices common to the design of scenery, lighting and costume. The study and application of the aesthetic principles and graphic skills involved in all areas of theatrical design. Development of the student's abilities in research methodology, as it applies to design for the theatre. Emphasis on design skills (including CAD programs) as a communication tool in the collaborative process of theatrical production. Prerequisites: Recommended THTR 1105.

THTR 2210 Hitchcock, The Master of Suspense 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 2210

Examines the work of Alfred Hitchcock, a film director known world-wide for his artistry with a camera, his craftsmanship with story structure, and his ability to hold the audience in a state of edge-of-the-seat suspense.

THTR 2220 Documentary Films 3.0 cr

Course Outline for THTR 2220

Explores the nature and history of documentary film. Students will understand, appreciate, and enjoy documentary motion pictures as a form of communication, a method of persuasion, a reflection of culture, and as an art form. The course provides a beginning approach to the theory and criticism of documentary film. The relationship between form and content is basic to this course.

Transfer Pathways

With this transfer pathway, you will be able to transfer to the following majors at:

Metropolitan State University: Theatre - BA
Minnesota State University, Mankato: Theatre - BA, BS
Minnesota State University, Moorhead: Theatre Arts - BA
Southwest Minnesota State University: Theatre Arts - BA
St. Cloud State University: Theatre - BA
Winona State University: Theatre - BA

Meet the Faculty

{{ user.firstName | trim }} {{ user.lastName | trim }}

Education Credentials

Clubs & Organizations

Student Clubs

Film Club

Purpose: Provide a safe and comfortable environment for students to express themselves through the film.

To learn more, contact:

Student Life
651-450-3530

Theater Club

Purpose: Provide a safe and comfortable environment for students to express themselves through the dramatic arts; the club also provides opportunities for those interested in theater production, acting, costuming, stage management, lighting, directing and more.

To learn more, contact:

George Roesler
Theatre and Film Studies Instructor
Theatre Club Faculty Advisor
651-450-3588

Improv Club

Purpose: Provide students with improvisational performance opportunities where dialogue, action, story line and characters are developed collaboratively by actors or players in present time.

To learn more, contact:

George Roesler
Theatre and Film Studies Instructor
Improv Club Faculty Advisor
651-450-3588

Professional organizations

Playwrights’ Center

MSP Film Society

Minnesota Playlist

Employment Information

Building a career in theatre

Theatre arts date back more than 2,500 years to the city-state of Athens in ancient Greece. Modern theatre in the English-speaking world is exemplified by Broadway, which features 40 professional theatres with 500 seats or more. Dozens and dozens of theatre companies across the U.S. produce plays of all kinds, including dramas, tragedies, musicals, comedies and improv.

Potential jobs in the theatre arts, including pre-production, production and staff

Producer
Director
Dramaturge
Playwright
Scenic designer
Lighting designer
Costume designer
Sound designer
Property master
Production manager
Technical director
Choreographer
Makeup designer
Charge artist
Scenic artist
Electrician
Carpenter
Wardrobe supervisor
Publicist
Stage manager
Stagehands
Artistic director
Costume director
Marketing director
House manager
Ticketing agent
Grip

Below are just a few examples of possible career paths that can start by earning an A.F.A. in Theatre from at Inver Hills.

Additional resources

Field of Study: Directing, Theater Production, and Arts Management

Why Inver Hills?

Completing your freshman and sophomore theatre obligations at Inver Hills is smart on several key levels:

Be part of opening night and tell a story that creates memorable audience experiences
Stretch your creativity and discover what it takes to bring a character to life on stage
Construct sets, design lighting, and contribute to a full-scale theater production
Receive an excellent education with one-on-one interactions with theatre faculty
Get live-performance experience in superb theatre facilities
Save money and continue your academic and professional careers with less student debt *

* On a national scale, student loan debt has mushroomed to $1.2 trillion, which is greater than credit card debt and auto loan debt combined. In Minnesota, the average debt for four-year grads tops $30,000; 70 percent carry a student debt load.

Tuition and fees for one year at Inver Hills costs a little less than $5,300. Compare that to $15,000 to $20,000 at a for-profit college, or $40,000 to $50,000 at a private college or university. You can complete your first two years at Inver getting a topflight education firsthand from Ph.D. instructors and then transfer to a four-year as a junior all while saving thousands of dollars. It's a no-brainer.