Theater Major
Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree at Stritch will allow you to express yourself in careers such as stage management, scenic and costume design, directing or acting. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in four yearly main-stage shows in our 400-seat theatre, with additional work in our intimate studio theatre. Our theatre faculty are not only teachers but also professionals who continue to work as directors, designers and actors. You’ll get the personal attention, professional training and stage experience you need to master your craft and prepare you for graduate school or professional work in theatre.
The difference at Stritch is in stage experience and participation. Students who have entered graduate programs after graduating from Stritch are typically more prepared for their graduate school coursework than their fellow students. Why? Stage experience and participation. Theatre students at Stritch have the opportunity to participate in four yearly main-stage shows. In addition, they are exposed to all aspects of theatre including acting, stage management, costume design, and directing. Graduate school professors continue to be impressed by the experience Stritch graduates bring with them to graduate school.
Theatre Major: 38 credits
Required courses for Major: THR 201, 202, 208, 213, 214, 220, 303, 304, 315, 401, 402, 405
Required courses for Middle/Secondary Certification/Theatre: THR 100
(two semesters of 1.2 credit), 102, 200 (two semesters of 1.2 credit), 201, 202, 208,
213, 220, 300 (one semester), 303, 304, 315, 401, 402, 405
Theatre Minor: 24 credits
Required courses for Minor: THR 201, 202, 208, 213, 220, 405 plus two credits of practicum
Required courses for Middle/Secondary Teaching Minor: THR 201, 202, 208, 220, 315, 401, 402, 405
Required courses for Elementary Education Minor: THR 100 (two semesters of 1/2 credit), 102,
105, 200 (two semesters of 1/2 credit), 201, 202, 208, 220, 315, 405
Faculty
David L. Oswald Associate Professor (414) 410-4169 dloswald@stritch.edu
David L. Oswald, currently serving as chair of the Department of Theatre Arts, is celebrating his 29th year of teaching at Cardinal Stritch University, where he is an associate professor of theatre. A graduate of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, with an M.A. in theatre, Oswald has directed over 75 productions in a variety of settings. He recently directed Samuel Beckett’s "Waiting for Godot" and Edward Albee’s "The Play About the Baby" for the Boulevard Ensemble in Milwaukee. Recent Stritch directing credits include "The Importance of Being Earnest," "Tartuffe," "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Look Homeward Angel."
Aaron Dyszelski
Assistant Professor, Technical Director
(414) 410-4170
amdyszelski@stritch.edu
After graduating from Stritch in 2000 with a B.A. in Theatre and a B.F.A. in Sculpture, Aaron has returned to Stritch to take on the role of Assistant Professor and Technical Director/Scenic Designer in the Department of Theater Arts. Following his graduation from Stritch, Aaron worked as a freelance theatre artist around the Midwest and attended the University of Kansas, where he earned his M.F.A. in Sceneography. For the past few years, he worked as a costumer and manager with Walt Disney World Entertainment in Orlando, Fl. While there, he also worked as a freelance designer for several groups including the Mad Cow Theater and the multicultural focused Peoples Theater.
Robert J. Liebhauser
Adjunct Assistant Professor
(414) 410-4178
rjliebhauser@stritch.edu
Robert J. Liebhauser, an adjunct assistant professor of theatre, has been on the theatre faculty of Stritch since 1992. Prior to coming to Stritch, he received his B.A. in theatre arts from Marquette University and his M.F.A. from the Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also taught for four years at Marquette University and has worked extensively with local professional theatre companies. Robert is currently director of theatre for Young Audiences at Stritch.
Pam Kriger
Adjunct Instructor
(414) 410-4177
epkriger@stritch.edu
Pam Kriger, a member of the theatre faculty at Stritch, has worked extensively as a director and choreographer for many theatres both in Milwaukee and regionally. Directing credits include "Oklahoma!" for Stritch, "My Way" for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, "Loose Lips Sink Ships" and "Muskie Love" for American Folklore Theatre, "Little Shop of Horrors" for Skylight Theatre, "The Bible" for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, "Red Pepper Jelly II" for Renaissance Theatreworks and "Fiddler on the Roof" for Nicolet High School.
Genesian Players
The Genesian Players support theatrical activities on campus and fosters the University motto,
Ut probetis potiora, "to value the better things." The group also seeks to further,
through their collaborative and service efforts, Stritch's Franciscan values.
To view the Genesian Players student Web site, please click here.
Upcoming Theatre Events
Stritch presents three productions a year, from musicals to the classics.
All theater performances are in the Joan Steele Stein Center for
Communication Studies/Fine Arts, which includes a lovely 400-seat theater that is
accessible to people with disabilities and has assisted-listening equipment
for the hearing-impaired.
For information on current and upcoming productions, click here.
Alumni
Brian Koehler, ’02, Freelance designer and actor, CaliforniaAndrea Toussaint, ’01, Scenic artist, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Milwaukee
Philip Sletteland, ’03, MFA Acting graduate of Rutgers University and professional actor at the Berkshire Festival in Massachusetts
Aaron Dyszelski, ’00, Costume designer, Disney World, Orlando
Brad Anderson, ’06, MFA student, University of Iowa