Theatre and Dance Department. Collection, 1964-Ongoing.

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSU Archives Collection 115

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains documents including theatre and dance programs, promotional materials, slides and photographs, taped performances, and general files. The collection is divided into seven series:

General Files: Files from this series include correspondence, newsletters, newspaper clippings, miscellaneous publications, program advertisements, and performance ticket stubs.

Promotional Materials: This series consists mainly of posters and promotional mailers of performances on the Mainstage, Studio, Pit Theatre and Theatre Phoenix stages. Also included are posters for Highland Summer Theatre and Dance performances.

Theatre Performances: This series consists of taped recordings of theatre performances from 1981-2015. The series is arranged chronologically by performance date. Performance dates are recording following a YYYY-MM-DD format. Video formats include VHS, DVD, and MiniDV cassette. Performances and only available for viewing in the University Archives.

Dance Performances: This series consists of taped recordings of dance performances from 1990-2014. The series is arranged chronologically by performance date. Performance dates are recording following a YYYY-MM-DD format. Video formats include VHS, DVD, and MiniDV cassette. Peformances are only available for viewing in the University Archives.

Dance Programs: This series consists of programs for dance performances. They are arranged in chronological order.

Theatre Programs: This series consists of programs for theatre performances. They are arranged in chronological order.

Photographs: This series consists of photographs from theatre and dance performances covering the years 1955-2001. Formats consist of slides, photographic prints, negatives, and digital images on CD.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1964-Ongoing

Biographical / Historical

Theatre began at Mankato State Normal School as the Mask and Dagger club. Since the 1940s, the University has offered courses in Theatre. The Speech Department began offering theatre courses in 1948 and a minor in 1960. A major in Theatre Arts was first offered in 1971. The Department of Theatre was created in 1981.

The Dance program was originally part of the Physical Education department where Dance was an area of emphasis students could choose beginning in 1973. By 1976, a Minor in Dance Education was available. In 1980, it changed to a Minor in Dance.

Dance merged with Theatre in 1999 to become the Department of Theatre and Dance.

The department has several performance series that span the academic year and the summer months. “MSU presents six major theatrical productions in its Mainstage Season. These productions are divided between the Ted Paul Theatre (four shows, usually two musicals and a combination of classic, comedic and dramatic shows) and the Andreas Theatre. One dance concert is held each academic semester in the Ted Paul Theatre. Four smaller plays, selected and produced by students (with faculty advice), are presented in the Andreas Theatre.” “Highland Summer Theatre is MSU's professional summer stock theatre specializing in light entertainment. Four productions are presented within a nine-week period of time using professional actors and MSU students making their professional debuts.”1

In 2022, the Department of Theatre and Dance merged with the Department of Music to form the Department of Performing Arts in the newly formed College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Theatre Arts - https://hss.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/theatre-arts Dance - https://hss.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/dance/ About Theatre and Dance - https://hss.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/dance/about-theatre-and-dance/ Past Performances – https://hss.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/theatre-arts/performances-tickets/past-productions--sponsors/

Extent

21 Cubic Feet (9 Archives boxes, 1 half-Hollinger box, 3 oversize boxes, 14 multi-purpose boxes, 5 boxes, and 1 oversize folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Theatre and Dance Department collection contains records from the department. It is primarily comprised of performance related materials including: programs, promotional materials, taped performances, newsletters, and photography.