Theatre
Department of 
Take me there
Cottey's theatre program provides the first two years of necessary basic classroom instruction and on-stage, hands-on personal experience that students pursuing a liberal arts degree in theatre will need. Freshmen are cast in main stage acting roles and in major technical positions, such as assistant director, stage manager, light board operator, and sound board operator. Students make up all technical crews, including set construction, stage crew, painting, costumes, make-up, props, and publicity.
Career Opportunities
Theatre majors receive a broad foundation in the disciplines of acting, directing, theatre history and theory, which enables them to enter theatre education or professional theatre.
Students studying theatre enhance skills in interpersonal communication, organization, group problem-solving, artistic expression, creative thinking, and leadership.
Theatre involves experiential learning and offers opportunities for students to learn through performance.
Students studying theatre may aspire to perform and be employed as actors, dramatic artists, voice-over artists, television anchors, radio personalities, or comedians.
Other students may enjoy working behind the scenes as stage directors, technical directors, set designers, costume designers, makeup artists, broadcast technicians, or special effects specialists.
Theatre majors can even specialize in the business of theatre and work as producers, casting directors, agents, box office managers, public relations directors, or production assistants. Employment as a performer is highly competitive. However, being versatile in all aspects of theatre presents more career possibilities.
Internship and Directed Study Opportunities
As a theatre major, your chances to gain real world learning experiences through internships and directed studies are almost boundless.
Students at Cottey College participate in internships throughout the year with a variety of businesses, organizations, and non-profit agencies. A successful internship provides students with an opportunity to apply their classroom learning to the workplace.
Employers and graduate schools agree that students who have put classroom concepts and skills to work in a "real world" environment are more realistic and productive than those who have not.
With the assistance of faculty and the transfer and career planning coordinator, theater majors can find a variety of local and national internship experiences.
Opportunities exist locally with performing arts councils, regional theatres, non-profit organizations, elementary, middle, and high schools, and more.
Directed study opportunities are available in all disciplines. Under the supervision of faculty, students can pursue academic credit on a topic or project that is related to, but beyond the scope of, regular course offerings.
Directed study topics can be tailored to your interests, whether it is conducting individual scientific research, studying girls' punk music, or conducting advanced computer programming.
Get Involved
Want to have fun and develop your leadership skills and your resume at the same time? Then get involved at Cottey College and in the Nevada community.
Cottey College has more than 35 student clubs and organizations in which to be involved. Plus, the Nevada and surrounding community offer an abundance of service opportunities.
Here are a few activities you might consider pursuing as a theatre major: audition for a theatrical production; join Delta Psi Omega (national dramatics fraternity); volunteer with community theatre productions; attend local theatrical, dance, and music performances; be a judge for high school speech and debate tournaments; or serve as technical crew for a theatrical production.
4-Semester Sample Schedule
Students should consult the catalog of the college to which they plan to transfer for specific requirements in their major. This suggested schedule is designed to provide the Associate in Arts degree candidate with the appropriate Cottey College core curriculum and enough coursework in their field to complete the 62 hours required for an A.A. degree. Schedules may vary based on available classes and interests.
| First Year Fall Semester | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|
| ENG101 English Composition I | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 |
| THE103 Beginning Acting* | 3 |
| THE181 Theater Production* | 1 |
| THE110 Lights/Sound* | 3 |
| First Year Spring Semester | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|
| ENG102 English Composition II | 3 |
| THE101 Introduction to Theater* | 3 |
| THE131 Dramatic Literature* | 3 |
| THE181 Theater Production* | 1 |
| MAT103 College Algebra or higher | 3 to 4 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Second Year Fall Semester | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Physical Activity | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 3 or 4 |
| Laboratory Science | 4 or 5 |
| THE291 Scene Design* | 3 |
| THE181 Theater Production* | 1 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Second Year Spring Semester | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Physical Activity | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 3 or 4 |
| Social Science | 3 |
| THE102 Twentieth Century Theater* | 3 |
| THE251 Children's Theater* | 3 |
| THE122 Performance of Literature* | 3 |
| THE181Theater Production* | 1 |
* Courses recommended for major
Other relevant courses beyond those already listed in the program guide plan that are also highly recommended as electives:
- IDS198 Films for Femmes
- Theater (any course)
- Dance (any course)
- Music (any course)
- Art or Photography (any course)
- Computer courses
Faculty Advising
Preparing a class schedule, investigating majors, and researching transfer institutions can be confusing for a firstyear student. At Cottey College, academic advising assists the individual student in clarifying and achieving her educational goals.
Each student is assigned a full-time faculty member as an academic advisor. Together the advisor and student devise a balanced academic program, which encompasses the student's educational and career ambitions. The advisor reviews all registration decisions, the advisee's academic progress, and suggests transfer and career options.
This personalized approach to student advising allows the student to take responsibility for her own academic program, while tapping into faculty expertise.
For more information contact:
Enrollment Management
1000 West Austin
Nevada, MO 64772
1-888-5-COTTEY
www.cottey.edu
enrollmgt@cottey.edu