Opportunities and outcomes
Theatre and communication topics covered
- Acting techniques and performance theory
- Scene design, drafting, and construction
- Directing methods and theories
- History of American theatre or modern global drama
- Stage lighting, color, and lighting equipment
- Ethical and effective techniques in argumentation and rhetoric
- Interpersonal and group communication
- Listening, interviewing, and research
- Management of communication in organizations
Student learning outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts of interpersonal communication, public address, communication theory, organizational communication, and argumentation. Students demonstrate knowledge through exams, written materials, theatre performances, and classroom projects.
- Demonstrate communication skill through student presentations in theatre productions, acting, workshops, forensics, interpersonal, small group, argumentation, public speaking, public relations, leadership, and organizational communication classes.
- Demonstrate application of communication studies and theatre arts through participation in workshops, forensics, internships, service-learning projects, communication conference participation, and senior portfolio development.
Performance opportunities
Wayne State College offers multiple fall and spring productions each year. In the fall, an annual performance is held in the Black Box Theatre. In the spring, the annual children's play entertains hundreds of area elementary students in Ramsey Theatre. Additional plays in seasonal rotation offer further training and experience for students.
Theatre performance opportunities
Intercollegiate forensics
The Wayne State Forensics Team is a competitive speech team that provides students the opportunity to grow their skills in oral and written communication, critical thinking, research development, creativity, leadership, and confidence. The team competes regionally and nationally in a variety of public address and interpretation event categories, including communication analysis/rhetorical criticism; persuasive, informative, extemporaneous, impromptu, and after dinner speaking; and dramatic and prose interpretation.
Theatre arts internships
Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find public relations internships and career opportunities. Students recently completed internships at the following locations:
- Aquinas High School
- Disney
Graduates of the Theatre Arts degree program work in their chosen field using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, eager employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.
Jobs of recent graduates:
- Actor/Model (self-employed)
- Background Actor (self-employed)
- Entertainment Costumer – Walt Disney Company (Burbank, Calif.)
- Recruiting Specialist – University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Lincoln, Neb.)
job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey
Transfer to Wayne State
Our generous transfer credit policy will allow you to get credit for what you've already earned.
- If you've taken courses at other institutions, you can transfer those credits to Wayne State.
- Already have an associate degree? Seamlessly transfer your full degree through one of our transfer pathways.
- Military or veteran student? You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.
My favorite thing about the Theatre Arts degree program is the interdisciplinary pool of individuals that participate in it, and conveying stories from books and scripts and the ability to move, enchant, and instill a sense of wonder into the viewer, among other things. Theatre has many things to offer. I have learned skills pertaining to analysis of language and script, directing and managing a theatrical space and other actors, how to design and implement scenic design and lighting design, and how to portray and tell stories.
Dakota Schroll
Wood River, Nebraska
Psychology and Criminal Justice; minors in Theatre, Pre-Law, and Philosophy
My favorite thing about the Theatre Arts degree program is the interdisciplinary pool of individuals that participate in it, and conveying stories from books and scripts and the ability to move, enchant, and instill a sense of wonder into the viewer, among other things. Theatre has many things to offer. I have learned skills pertaining to analysis of language and script, directing and managing a theatrical space and other actors, how to design and implement scenic design and lighting design, and how to portray and tell stories.
Dakota Schroll
Wood River, Nebraska
Psychology and Criminal Justice; minors in Theatre, Pre-Law, and Philosophy
Communication Arts Department faculty
Sean Ahern, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Sean Ahern is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College and is the advisor for the on-campus radio station KWSC-FM 91.9 The Cat.
Brian Begley, MFA
Associate Professor
Brian Begley is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College and technical director and designer for the theatre program. He teaches lighting and set design, technical theatre, play writing, and acting specialties, including performance for the camera and stage combat.
Robbie Hall, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Robbie Hall is an assistant professor of communication arts at Wayne State College. He teaches courses in interpersonal communication, health communication, organizational communication, and qualitative research methods.
Pat Janssen teaches in the Communication Arts Department at Wayne State College. His academic interests include journalism ethics, sports and popular culture, social commentary in comedy, ethical film production, Midwestern narratives, and the relationship between politics and mass media.
Dr. Allyn Lueders is a communication studies professor at WSC. She teaches undergraduate courses in public relations and interpersonal communication and graduate courses in public relations leadership. She is the chair of the Communication Arts Department.
Dr. Teresa Morales is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College. In addition to teaching CNA 100 Principles of Human Communication, she also teaches Public Address, Argumentation, Persuasion, the Rhetoric of Civic Life, Professional Presentations, Language and Human Behavior, Organizational Leadership, Leadership Theory, and Case Studies in Organizational Leadership.
Rusty Ruth, MFA
Associate Professor
Rusty Ruth is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College. He teaches acting, directing, dramatic literature, and stage dialect courses.
Mike White, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Mike White is a communication arts professor and teaches television and video production, electronic media, and other mass communication courses at Wayne State College. He advises KWSC-TV, the college’s cable television station, serving Wayne and streamed online. White also oversees the KWSC Productions (The Hot Attic), the student video and the short film production studio.
Dr. Joe Whitt is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College. He specializes in human communication, particularly in interpersonal, intercultural, family, small group, environmental, and organizational contexts.
Student clubs for communication and theatre majors
Drama Club - For those interested in theatre and art
Forensics Team - A competitive speech team that that competes regionally and nationally in a variety of public address and interpretation event categories
Lambda Pi Eta - National honor society for communication majors
A Best College of Distinction
Wayne State was recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to affordability, accessibility, and strong student outcomes that deliver a proven return on investment.
A Top Public College in the Midwest
Wayne State College is ranked among the top public colleges in the Midwest for 2026 by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting strong academics and student outcomes.
