Coming soon: Tomato Plant Girl
April 27 to 30, Black Box Theater, Keim Center
Tomato Plant Girl is a powerful exploration of friendship between Little Girl, Bossy Best Friend and the messy Tomato Plant Girl who springs from the earth. It will delight young audiences with its physical action and playful, high-energy conflict. Highlighting the issues of bullying and acceptance of others, this play challenges the character of Little Girl to bravely discover the power of making up her own rules and leading with kindness. A charming show for all ages!
2022-23 Performing Arts calendar of events
Theatre Education
What is theatre education?
Theatre education provides training in the use of theatre and drama practices as a vehicle of education. Coursework within the program and in the education department, performance and technical work, and opportunities for leadership in theatre and campus-wide, help prepare students for careers as educators in academic, regional and professional settings.
Success factors
Students will require a love and passion for theatre and storytelling. They must be able to recognize the important role theatre serves, not only in entertainment, but spiritually, philosophically, historically and politically. Students need to possess the willingness to embrace empathy, confidence, a strong sense of organization and time management, and a positive academic attitude. The practice of solo and ensemble work, movement and vocal training are also essential.
Career possibilities
- Producer
- Director
- Drama therapist
- Theatre educator
- Drama and arts minister
- Playwright and screenwriter
- Scenic designer
- Lighting designer
- Costume designer
- Sound designer
- Production manager
- Technical director
- Show control designer
- Theatrical technician
- Theatre critic
- Theatre historian
- Make-up artist
- Choreographer
- Carpenter & master carpenter
- Charge artist
- Electrician and master electrician
- Wardrobe supervisor
- Stage combat instructor
- Professional stagehands
- Publicist
- Actor
- Stage manager
- Call boy
- Light board operator
- Sound operator or production engineer
- Spotlight operator
- Deck electrician
- Running crew
- Artistic director
- Managing director or general manager
- Fly crew
- Dressers
- Director of production
- Technical director
- Costume director
- Marketing director
- Director of public relations
- Director of audience services
- Director of development
- Director of special events
- Dramaturg
- Literary manager
- Company manager
- House manager
“My theatre experience started with hemming the skirt of a costume and then theatre director Rachel Jantzi asked me to do the costume design for the next show. I designed three shows at Hesston.”
— Sadie Prowell, class of 2018
“Hesston theatre helped me experience vulnerability in a safe atmosphere and know that it’s okay to put yourself out there, especially in this environment where countless people care about you and your success.”
— Caitlin Waits class of 2018
Majoring in theatre education
Hesston’s theatre program provides students with opportunities to perform and assist on the highest quality of collegiate theatre with the added benefit of leading roles and positions that are often reserved for juniors and seniors.
Creativity and talent are nurtured by faculty and staff who are highly qualified in both the academic and professional arenas of the theatre world. Students are given guided, individual instruction in a beautifully renovated facility that promotes and enhances the quality of our performing arts programs, both technically and artistically. We believe theatre is not contained on the stage and can be utilized in every profession and classroom.
Performance opportunities include four main stage theatre productions each year, improv theatre and a traveling theatre company; technical opportunities with stage management, choreography/dance, dramaturgy, costume, hair and makeup effects, set and prop construction, scenic painting, lighting, sound, backstage crew and directors for one-acts or play festival.
Theatre Performance
What is theatre performance?
A major in theatre performance provides training in the use of theatre and drama practices. Coursework within the program, performance and technical work and opportunities for leadrship in theatre, such as marketing, design, directing and choreography, help prepare students for careers as actors and technicians in academic, regional and professional settings.
Success factors
Students will require a love and passion for theatre and storytelling. They must be able to recognize the important role theatre serves, not only in entertainment, but spiritually, philosophically, historically and politically. Students need to possess the willingness to embrace empathy, confidence, a strong sense of organization and time management, and a positive academic attitude. The practice of solo and ensemble work, movement and vocal training are also essential.
Career possibilities
- Producer
- Director
- Drama therapist
- Theatre educator
- Drama and arts minister
- Playwright and screenwriter
- Scenic designer
- Lighting designer
- Costume designer
- Sound designer
- Production manager
- Technical director
- Show control designer
- Theatrical technician
- Theatre critic
- Theatre historian
- Make-up artist
- Choreographer
- Carpenter & master carpenter
- Charge artist
- Electrician and master electrician
- Wardrobe supervisor
- Stage combat instructor
- Professional stagehands
- Publicist
- Actor
- Stage manager
- Call boy
- Light board operator
- Sound operator or production engineer
- Spotlight operator
- Deck electrician
- Running crew
- Artistic director
- Managing director or general manager
- Fly crew
- Dressers
- Director of production
- Technical director
- Costume director
- Marketing director
- Director of public relations
- Director of audience services
- Director of development
- Director of special events
- Dramaturg
- Literary manager
- Company manager
- House manager
“Hesston College challenged me and gave me the opportunities to showcase myself in a way that doesn’t commonly come out of most theatre programs, especially for an underclassman. The people in the theatre department that surrounded me collectively become some of my greatest friends, influencers and motivators.”
— Mariah Trible, class of 2018, pursuing B.F.A. in theatre performance at Emporia (Kan.) State University
Majoring in theatre performance
Hesston’s theatre program provides students with opportunities to perform and assist on the highest quality of collegiate theatre with the added benefit of leading roles and positions that are often reserved for juniors and seniors.
Creativity and talent are nurtured by faculty and staff who are highly qualified in both the academic and professional arenas of the theatre world. Students are given guided, individual instruction in a beautifully renovated facility that promotes and enhances the quality of our performing arts programs, both technically and artistically. We believe theatre is not contained on the stage and can be utilized in every profession and classroom.
Performance opportunities include four mainstage theatre productions each year, improv theatre and a traveling theatre company; technical opportunities with stage management, choreography/dance, dramaturgy, costume, hair and makeup effects, set and prop construction, scenic painting, lighting, sound, backstage crew and directors for one-acts or play festival.
Hesston College is a great place to get involved in theatre. Our smaller size ensures one-on-one attention and a genuine relationship formed with the students. We care about you as a person. Also, there are many more opportunities for you as a freshman and sophomore that might not be available at a four year school.
If you are interested in theatre as a major, Hesston is the perfect place to begin your education because of the experience you’ll receive here. Freshmen and sophomores get all the roles! Students have ample opportunities to perform on stage or help behind the scenes at Hesston College. The theatre department produces four shows each school year in addition to several other performance venues that arise including chapels, worship services, special college functions, and miscellaneous community events. Students with special interests (i.e. improv, dance, mime, church drama) are encouraged and supported in their endeavors.
Many students who participate in our theatre program are not theatre majors. Some enjoyed participating in high school and want to continue on in college. Some have never participated before but have always wanted to try it. Others consider it to be their niche and audition for every show. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned pro, we have room for you in our program and will prepare you for whatever comes next.
At Hesston College, we believe that
- Creativity and talent should be nurtured by positive and driven faculty and staff who recognize the potential in every individual.
- Students should be given hands-on, professional experiences with individual instruction.
- Theatre is not contained on the stage but can be utilized in every profession and classroom.
- Theatre is a gift and that the talents and skills of each of us were given by God so that we might use them to better understand and appreciate God’s creation.
Apply today.
About the Department