Department of Theatre and Dance

General Information

Dance

Dance concerts are presented annually as part of the cultural attractions available to the community. A faculty choreographed dance concert is presented each spring semester. Student choreographed studio programs are presented each semester, and advanced student work is selected for a full-fledged concert. Theatre productions often include dance as an integral element. Inertia Dance Company is the resident student organization which gives dance lecture-demonstrations and concert works to schools and groups throughout the geographic area.

Dramatic Performance Activities

The department affords students with theatre and dance talent an avenue of expression and provides the campus community with entertaining and worthwhile productions. Several directed productions, including plays, musicals, operas, children’s plays, and performance pieces, are presented each year. Productions directed by students, both graduate and undergraduate, are also presented. Through participation in these productions, students gain practical experience in constructing and painting scenery, making costumes, applying makeup, light control technology and acting in outstanding plays of all periods. Productions are presented in Coger Theatre, the intimate Balcony Theatre in Craig Hall, and Juanita K. Hammons Hall for Performing Arts.

One of the area’s favorite summer attractions is Tent Theatre. From June through July three shows, including musicals, are presented to local and regional audiences. This popular entertainment has been thrilling theatre-goers for over forty years.

The In-School Players, a group of advanced students chosen from audition, prepares original theatrical material to tour to area elementary schools two afternoons a week through the late fall and spring semesters. The Inertia Dance Company, a group of advanced students chosen from audition, prepares a presentation to tour to area elementary schools and a concert program for adult audiences.

Contact

Department Head

Joseph Price

Office

Craig Hall, Room 355

Phone

417-836-4400

Fax

417-836-4234

Email

TheatreandDance@missouristate.edu

Website

theatreanddance.missouristate.edu

Faculty

Professors

Telory Arendell
Kurt Heinlein
Christopher Herr
Carol J. Maples
Joseph Price
Cynthia Winstead

Assistant Professor

Kyle Thomas

Emeritus Professors

Ruth Barnes
Robert Bradley
Katherine Brown
Robert Little
Rhythm McCarthy
John McElhaney
Mark Putman