Wayne State College’s current theater education program is a simple supplemental endorsement, but there are potential changes coming to the program.  

An endorsement is akin to a minor but for those in the education field. The theater endorsement requires 18 credits of theater or theater related classes to be taken. This endorsement is for those seeking to become theater or drama teachers at the junior high or high school level.  

“We’ve increased our total number of shows produced per year, seen a drastic increase in the number of students involved in productions, getting a theatre concentration, and being a part of the WSC Drama Club,” Rusty Ruth, a theater professor, said.  

In general, the WSC theater program is successful, but there is doubt about Nebraska theater students’ abilities in comparison to those from other states. There are concerns that without a theater education degree being offered, colleges and universities across the state are losing potential tuition when students interested in theater go to nearby states that offer a broader program of study. In addition to these concerns, there is the concern that students with only a minor in theater are less qualified than those who have a degree in the subject.  

“The theatre department at Wayne State College is so much more than just acting. It helped me find my people, my closest friends,” Ella Lewis, a junior minoring in theater, said. “I decided to add theatre as my minor because I realized that it was something that was really important to me and that I needed it in my life even after college.” 

Currently, the college has the supplemental endorsement and a theater arts degree program, but there is no standalone program for a theater education degree.  

The theater education degree would require an additional ten credit hours, for a minimum total of 28 hours, to be taken in order to graduate with a theater education degree. These additional required materials would cement the knowledge and abilities of theater students in comparison to those outside of Nebraska.  

The Nebraska Department of Education is working towards a vote on the extended theater education degree in the coming months. Due to the fact that nothing has been officially voted on yet, there could be additions or reductions to the degree proposal. Nevertheless, if this vote were to pass, it would extend the width of the theater not only for WSC, but for colleges and universities across the state of Nebraska.  

“If it does get approved, we believe we are set for success,” Ruth said. “As we have seen a major increase in interest in a theatre education degree from our students.”