Bismarck State College

Bismarck State College offers an accessible and exploratory Theatre Arts pathway within its Arts & Sciences curriculum, serving students interested in theatre—whether as majors or as participants in general education. Rather than requiring a declared major, the program supports exploration through two distinct associate tracks: Performance and Technical Theatre. These options allow students to pursue foundational coursework over their first two years before transferring to a four-year drama program or transitioning to career entry points in acting, design, or backstage production.

Core coursework includes Acting for the Stage and Camera, Dramatic Literature and Theatre History, Theatre Movement, Stage Makeup, Technical Design, and Stagecraft. Students also earn academic credit through theatre practicum courses, which integrate them into campus productions from early in their experience. A minimum of three major productions occur annually—offering reliable opportunities for hands-on learning and stage experience.

The department encourages student leadership and experimentation through the BSC Drama Club and the Short Play Festival, where students direct and perform their own original works. Additionally, students may participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) at the regional level—presenting original material, receiving feedback, and gaining access to networking and scholarship opportunities.

Bismarck State’s theatre program exists within a broader performing arts structure that promotes expressive communication, creative entrepreneurship, and arts leadership. Students develop interdisciplinary skills relevant to careers across storytelling, management, and public presentation. An optional certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship & Management further supports training in arts administration and live-event coordination, complementing traditional theatre study.

Overall, BSC’s Theatre Arts pathway delivers a supportive, affordable, and inclusive environment for students to explore performance and technical theatre—whether as transfer preparation or personal enrichment. With scholarship accessibility, early production visibility, and a creative community ethos, the program builds both practical skill and artistic confidence in preparation for future theatre studies or creative career paths.