Theater

For department production audition information click here.

There are many opportunities to work on a theater production. Positions such as assistant stage manager, light and sound board operators, hair/make up, and running crew. To find out what positions are available on current productions contact Todd Edwards for more information.  edwardst@stolaf.edu

Sign up for crew positions

There are two theater lab courses. Both are earned by working on an official theater department production. Note: This is different than having a student work job and working to build a show.

A theater lab is a .25 credit class. Four labs are required for the theater major. (One .25 credit must be TH-233, two must by TH-253 and the final one can be your choice of either TH-233 or TH-253).

The TH-253 lab is fulfilled by any of the following: stage management, assistant stage management, design of scenery, costumes, lighting, sound or images, running crew, dresser, deck hand, image, follow-spot or fly operator.

The TH-233 lab is fulfilled by:
Acting in a faculty directed production
Directing the spring Haugen show
Being a member of the pit orchestra
The following positions are filled by the faculty director of the show. Contact them if you are interested in: assistant director, dramaturgy, music director, pit orchestra conductor, rehearsal pianist, dance captain.

If you are involved in a production during the fall and/or spring semester you must add the lab with the registrar’s office. You must be registered for the lab in the semester you do the work. Please check SIS and make sure you are listed as taking the lab class. Credit will not be given retroactively.

The theater January interim courses TH-133 & TH-234 include a lab. Since these positions are based on auditions and interviews the theater department will register students for the January interim class and accompanying lab.

Most years a student director is chosen to direct a show in Haugen Theater the following spring.
Students who are completing directing classes and have the appropriate background can apply. Applications are due in the main theater office on March 1. For an application click here. If chosen you will be asked to sign a student director contract. For a copy of that contract click here.

Student designers work on several theater productions each year. These positions include stage managing, scenery/props, costume, lighting and sound. If you want one of these positions, you have to apply. Applications are accepted in May for design positions awarded for the following year. For an application and list of prerequisites click here.

The theater department hires students with work awards for the work positions of scenery, props, lighting, sound, costumes, house management, tickets sales and publicity. Not a theater major? No problem. You can still work in the theater. Most positions are filled at the beginning of the academic year. Remaining open positions are hired on an on-going basis. If you are interested in working for the theater department please complete a student work application and bring it to the main office – room 117 in the Theater Building.

Covid-19 & Theater Safety Protocols

St. Olaf Theater Safety Manual

St. Olaf Theater Safety Overview

Safety Video

Safety Video Quiz

Injury Report
If you are injured while working, download this form, complete and send to the faculty or staff member supervising your work. Contact Todd Edwards with questions x3817 email: edwardst@stolaf.edu

Students who are declared theater majors are eligible for a ‘Reserved Seat’ for certain theater courses. When the Registrar’s Office opens ‘Reserved Seating’ the theater majors will receive an email notice from the theater department along with the steps to follow to reserve a spot in the desired class.

Alpha Psi Omega (Zeta Mu Chapter).  APO (Zeta Mu) is a nationally recognized honor society which initiates members on an annual basis after they have accrued a certain number of points from theater and theater service involvement. For more information checkout their Facebook page.

Deep End Productions is a student run faculty advised theater group at St. Olaf College. It strives to produce inspiring student theater that supports the theatrical ambitions of St. Olaf College students. Whether interested in acting, directing, playwriting, stage management, scenic/costume/lighting/sound design, or arts administration, Deep End productions has an opportunity for you!  Students of all experience levels are encouraged to become involved. Production and project proposals are accepted on a rolling basis through the completion of the Deep End Directing App. Most often, shows are proposed by a director but Deep End encourages students of all interests to bring project ideas to the table. In addition to sponsoring productions, Deep End produces an annual first year showcase, titled Fresh Faces and periodic play readings of both new and existing works. For more information check out their Facebook page.

InBlack is St. Olaf’s premier sketch comedy group. They are an audition group consisting of 8 members who put on a show in the Pause at the end of the year. They write and perform 28 original sketches and monologues that relate to life at St. Olaf. Auditions are held at the beginning of second semester and practice/writing sessions are 2 to 3 times a week. For more information contact inblack@stolaf.edu.

Muse Project is a theater group dedicated to the exploration of gender and sexuality in performance. The Muse season consists of one show in the fall semester and one in the spring, with additional events throughout the year. Typically the main shows are a classical play and a contemporary one. They are open to students of all levels of theater experience. Beginners are welcome! For more information check out Presence and their Facebook page.

Red Brick Theater Company is a student theater organization dedicated to creating and producing innovative theater productions within a company setting, where “equal membership means equal voice.” This group offers new opportunities within the campus theatrical community by allowing students to work and play with a tight-knit group of theater-makers throughout their college experience, participating in two Red Brick Theater productions each year. Red Brick Theater Company is committed to creating an inclusive community welcome to all students throughout campus, and encourages all class years and majors to audition. Once accepted into the company, students are a member for the remainder of their time at St. Olaf. Auditions are traditionally held at the beginning of each school year. Please contact redbrick@stolaf.edu with any questions.

POC Ole Theater ensemble is a space for students of color to gather and empower one another in creating theater art works in spaces that represent their identities, their beliefs and backgrounds, and to learn theatrical practices that are made for them. The organisation was created to bridge the gap between searching for spaces and identity, to finding a solid ground to practice and represent their voices through theater. POC Ole Theater is dedicated to creating an accepting community for all people of color and improving the lack of diverse representations at St. Olaf. For more information please email pocoletheater@stolaf.edu.

Scared Scriptless is an open and non-audition improv group that aims to entertain the St. Olaf community (as well as the greater Northfield community) through improvisational performance. Scared Scriptless gives St. Olaf students the opportunity to perform improv theater regardless of their amount of previous experience. Practices are twice a week on Sunday and Wednesday nights from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Viking Theater. They host 3 performances each semester and 1 during interim. For more information email scaredscriptless@stolaf.edu.

This fund was established to honor the life of Anna K. Bonde ’03. Anna died on March 17, 2001 while en route to New Orleans where she and four of her St. Olaf classmates planned to spend spring break volunteering at an elementary school. Their car was struck by a drunk driver driving the wrong way on a highway near Springfield, Il. Two of her dear friends also perished in the crash. Anna possessed a deep passion for all aspects of theater. She was also a person with a deep compassion for others and a desire to make the world a better place. We hope that this apprenticeship program will not only help the recipients excel in their areas of expertise, but that their lives will also be touched by Anna’s spirit.

This apprenticeship offers St. Olaf Theater graduates a way to gain experience in their field, to further develop their artistic portfolios, and to advance their career in theater.

For more information click here.