About Us

Located in a picturesque valley in southeast Minnesota, the Theatre & Dance Department at Winona State University offers a stimulating and enriching experience through the undergraduate theatre major, theatre minor and dance minor programs, within a supportive liberal arts context. Theatre majors and minors focus on foundational skills in acting, directing and design, and dance minors study movement techniques, improvisation and composition. Both theatre and dance students examine the history and theory of their disciplines and acquire integrated kinesthetic, cognitive and creative skills as they develop their unique artistic voices. Through class and production experiences, non-major students also have the opportunity to enrich their lives through the performing arts and gain access to their creative potential, which is an essential skill in any field. The entire Winona State University community benefits from the richly varied and high quality theatre and dance events produced throughout the year by the department. Winona State University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

Mission Statement

The THAD faculty intend that the courses you take with us and the productions we work on together be directed toward helping you achieve the following educational goals:

1. explore, expand, and celebrate the human condition;

2. learn to respond as artists to informed self-assessment by actively working toward improvement;

3. learn to apply artistic skills to situations both within and outside the theatrical art form;

4. learn to think critically and communicate clearly and effectively; and

5. develop abilities and readiness to participate effectively in learning groups and collaborative processes.

Goals

The goals of the WSU Department of Theatre and Dance (THAD) are:

o To provide to WSU students opportunities to study, perform, appreciate, and excel in theatre and dance as an avenue toward enrichment of their lives and success in their careers within or outside the profession;

o To provide to the university community and region high quality theatrical and dance productions in order to nurture artistic and intellectual growth, breadth of understanding and tolerance, and aesthetic appreciation;

o To provide support and assistance to other producing groups in the university community and region;

o To maintain a high level of cooperation and esprit among the faculty, staff, and students participating in the department's production program by providing for their meaningful involvement in its operations and decision-making processes; and

o To support and enhance the mission of the university.