Stage/Production/Arts Management
“The mission of the Department of Digital Media and Performing Arts is to lay a foundation for our students in the theatrical principles, techniques and practices that will help them realize their potential not only as artists, but also as human beings.” – From the department mission statement
The Department of Digital Media and Performing Arts is situated in the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication. This arrangement works especially well for our management students; the expertise they gain in other areas in the college directly affects the skills they need in management. Public Relations, Advertising, Organizational Communication (in Communication Studies), and Corporate Communication all link directly to the world of theatre management.
Whether you’re interested in stage or production management, or in the world of arts administration, you have ample opportunities to apply your talents in the main stage season. Student stage managers get involved in the productions from the very beginning; working closely with faculty and other students, they develop stage management skills and professionalism. It is not uncommon for student stage managers to stage manage three or four realized main stage productions in their time at Marquette. You’ll also have numerous student-driven opportunities to apply the skills learned in the classroom.
Students interested in arts administration have worked closely with the department chair to facilitate the operations of the theater, work with audience service and help develop promotional planning for a season. Students have also created interdisciplinary majors to take advantage of the offerings in the College of Business to strengthen their experiences.
Our Management students frequently have internships with Milwaukee’s numerous professional theatre and arts organizations. These experiences have been parlayed into employment with Cirque du Soleil, The Goodman Theater, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Milwaukee Chamber Theater, Milwaukee Shakespeare Theater, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Gaiety School in Dublin, Next Theatre in Chicago, and public television stations. Our graduates are stage managers, producers, general managers, education directors and casting directors. Their success flows from their many experiences during their years in the Diederich College.
