The classroom sizes average approximately 10:1 in the theatre arts program at Saint Mary’s. This allows students more personal contact time with professors. Freshmen are given the same opportunities as other theatre arts majors to participate in the main stage productions. There is no waiting period to become involved on-stage or off. Since there are no graduate students with which to compete, juniors and seniors become even more eligible for major roles as well as directing, design, and management opportunities.

The theatre arts department typically stages four shows each year on the Winona campus. 2 - 3 shows are mounted in the Page Theatre, 1 – 2 shows are in either the Valencia Arts Center Studio Theatre or the Performance Center Studio Theatre, and once a year a show is produced in a London studio theatre. Along with the main stage series, the student directed studio series also provides more opportunities. The main stage season is chosen by the theatre faculty and staff for its diversity in terms of playwrights, periods, genres, and styles. See our archives for more details.

The Page Theatre is a 450 seat proscenium theatre with state of the art technology. The Valencia Arts Center Studio Theatre is a large black box space seating up to 150 patrons and can be configured multiple ways. The Performance Center Studio Theatre is a small black box theatre seating approximately 50 – 75.

Saint Mary’s’ faculty and staff hold numerous degrees from institutions around the country. Each has professional theatre as well as substantial teaching experience. Including acting, directing, designing, and management, you will find faculty who are dedicated to teaching and mentoring students in a small liberal arts setting.

Depending on their career goals, students are encouraged to choose one of the Areas of Concentration within the major. This will aid students in choosing their courses over the four year residency. Students are then given the opportunity to come before the faculty at the end of the sophomore year to discuss their progress. Faculty will then make suggestions for improvements and changes, aiding the student in attaining the desired outcome of a career in theatre.

The Page Professional Series brings in a number of guest artists each year including classical, jazz, and modern dance companies, musical ensembles, theatre, and children’s theatre. With this series comes a multitude of opportunities to work in technical areas including load-ins, light hangs, sound and technology set-ups, and load-outs. Winona also boasts the Great River Shakespeare Festival which offers summer opportunities for internships and employment on stage and back stage as well as administrative work.

Many students settle in larger cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Saint Louis, New York, etc. to pursue careers in professional theatre. Occasionally, students will continue their training by attending graduate school or a conservatory program. And some complete the MED program at Saint Mary’s in order to teach in the secondary schools. Many of our students also opt for careers in other fields, using their transferable skills from theatre to seek many different kinds of careers. For a more complete look at our alums, click on Alumni News.

Every year the junior theatre majors travel to London to study theatre. While in London students attend shows, study acting with a British coach, mount a full theatrical production, and travel to sites in Great Britain. Acting students also have the opportunity to register for the Dublin Workshop, a two-week intensive program at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. This experience also includes attending shows as well as traveling in Ireland.

Dr. Gary Diomandes
Chair, Theatre Arts
507/451-1718
gdiomand@smumn.edu
www.smumn.edu/theatre