Bethel College

Bethel College’s Theater Department is an integral part of its liberal arts curriculum, rooted in a faith-informed approach that invites students to explore storytelling, ethics, values, and community through performance. While majors include Communication Arts with a Theater minor or course of study in Performing Arts, participation is open to all students interested in performing or working backstage. The department stages two mainstage productions annually—typically one play and one musical or opera—alongside peer-directed smaller-scale projects, providing both structured and experimental creative opportunities.

Coursework in the department offers a mix of academic and practical training. Key classes include Introduction to Theater, Styles of Acting, Living in Performance, Theater Production & Direction, and a unique Prison Theater Project—designed to foster reflection, empathy, and civic engagement. Theater Practicum allows students to earn credit through participation in departmental productions, increasing hands‑on learning and ensemble collaboration.

Training at Bethel is distinctively shaped by the values and mentorship of the Bethel Conservatory of the Arts (BCA), which offers a Bachelor of Arts in Acting, with an optional Musical Theater concentration, all grounded in a Christian worldview. The B.A. Acting curriculum includes in-depth technique training (voice, movement, speech, classical and contemporary text), improv, on-camera skills, audition prep, and a senior showcase designed for industry professionals.

Students benefit from close faculty mentorship and a supportive environment that integrates spiritual identity, creativity, and technical training. Scenes are rehearsed in small cohorts, with ensemble-based techniques such as “Dream Circles,” aimed at building creative confidence and vulnerability rooted in faith.

Beyond performance and courses, the department fosters professional development through its Alumni Theatre Chapter—a mentorship initiative linking students with alumni working in the field. Participants receive guidance and micro‑sponsorships to support early career steps like headshots, résumés, or graduate applications. Students also participate successfully in Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) competitions: recent recognitions include top placements in design, musical theatre, and stage management intensives