Speech and Theatre
The speech and theatre major is intended for students who want to become certified to teach those subjects. Luther's theatre/dance, communication studies, and education departments therefore collaborate to offer a spectrum of opportunities in drama and speech, and hands-on teaching experience.
Special opportunities for students include workshops with guest artists, participation in regional and national conferences and festivals, and attendance of off-campus performances and workshops. To further their exploration of dance and theatre, students are encouraged to plan and carry out independent creative projects, workshop productions, and internships. Students can apply to SPIN theatre, Luther's student-run company, to produce theatre and dance works and workshop productions.
Auditions and technical interviews are held each semester for various dance and theatre performances, which provide excellent experience for beginning through advanced students. Performance opportunities include productions choreographed and directed by faculty and guest artists, student-led workshops, class showings, and seminars.
The theatre/dance department is also partnered with Commonweal Theatre Company (CTC), a professional theatre company located in Lanesboro, Minn. Commonweal artists-in-residence are regularly involved in teaching and producing departmental productions. Students may also apply for a semester-in-residence (SIR) program at CTC in which they live in Lanesboro for 13 weeks and work alongside theatre professionals. The SIR program is open to all majors. Recent participants have interned in acting, directing, theatre management, and technical theatre.