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, photography, and miscellaneous documents. The collection is divided into five series:

Promotional Materials: This series consists mainly of posters and previews of Mainstage, Studio, and Highland Summer Theatre performances. Also included are posters for Dance performances and department mailers.

Dance Programs: This series consists of programs for dance performances.

Theatre Programs: This series consists of programs for theatre performances.

Photographs: The bulk of this series is slides from different performances covering the years 1966-2001.

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

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

Theatre - http://www.mnsu.edu/theatre/academic/ Dance - http://www.mnsu.edu/dance/ About Theatre and Dance - http://www.mnsu.edu/theatre/about/ Past Performances (Theatre) – http://www.mnsu.edu/theatre/season/past/ Past Performances (Dance) - http://www.mnsu.edu/dance/pastperformances/

Extent

6.50 boxes (4 archive boxes, 1 Hollinger box, 1 half Hollinger box, 1 oversize box, 2 oversize folders)

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, newsletters, photography, etc.