CSB/SJU students graduating with a theater degree find themselves well prepared for careers in the theater, as well as for graduate or professional study. The placement rate for technical theater graduates is very high. For students pursuing a professional career on the stage or as directors, graduate school is usually the next step. CSB/SJU students have been sought out by a number of graduate schools to participate in their programs.

Recent theater graduates have gone on to careers in theater education, and others work in community, commercial or children’s theaters specializing in directing, producing, promotion, properties, costuming, technical design and house management.

Other popular career choices for students who major in theater are law, publishing, management and public relations.

The department offers numerous opportunities for non-traditional coursework through individual learning projects, supervised study and “laboratory” courses in technical production. Participation in the four full-length dramatic productions offered each year by the theater department is open to students regardless of their major.

In addition to the major productions presented by the department, students also produce one-act plays and other shorter works. Occasional joint productions with the music department also offers students other opportunities for theater-related involvement.

The theater department internship program benefits greatly from the faculty’s close ties with professional theatrical organizations and by the campuses’ close proximity to the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area. You can arrange an internship for credit in many areas of theater work. The large number of excellent theaters in Minneapolis and St. Paul—ranging from small dinner theaters to the Guthrie Theater, one of the most distinguished repertory theater companies in the United States—provides a wealth of internship opportunities.

If you are interested in pursuing an internship, please talk with the Department Chair.

(From an article by Louis E. Catron, California Educational News, 1995)

23 skills and traits usually well developed in students who complete a 4 year undergraduate, liberal arts theatre degree:

1. Oral communication skills
2. creative problem-solving abilities
3. Self motivation
4. A willingness to work cooperatively
5. The ability to work independently
6. Time-budgeting skills
7. Personal initiative
8. Promptness & respect for deadlines
9. Acceptance of rules
10. The ability to learn quickly
11. Respect for colleagues
12. Adaptability and flexibility
13. Ability to work under pressure
14. A healthy self-image
15. Acceptance of disappointment
16. Self-discipline
17. A goal-oriented approach to work
18. Concentration
19. Dedication and commitment
20. A willingness to accept responsibility
21. Leadership skills
22. Self-confidence
23. Respect for authority

Qualities in Theatre Majors valued by business executives:

• Self-discipline
• Loyalty & Dependability
• Leadership skills and experience
• Energy & Enthusiasm
• Ability to work under pressure
• Polished communication skills
• Team-work skills and experience
• Self-confidence
• experience meeting challenges
• Experience learning complicated, hands-on tasks
• Imagination and creativity
• Problem solving skills
• Reasoning and sound judgment
• Ability to work on intellectual and physical problems