Honors Program Continues Annual Guthrie Theater Trip

For ten years, the Dakota State University Honors Program has provided its students with a unique opportunity to step outside the classroom and experience world-class theater. This cherished tradition continued on Saturday, October 4th, as a group of Honors students traveled to the iconic Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis to witness a powerful performance of Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama, “A Doll’s House.”

The trip offered a day of cultural immersion, beginning with the buzz of anticipation on the van ride to the city and culminating in the shared experience of live theater. For many of the students, it was their first time visiting the Guthrie, a landmark celebrated for both its stunning architecture and its history of compelling productions. “I’ve never been to a professional theater like the Guthrie before,” shared a freshman student. “Just walking into the building was exciting, and then the performance itself is on another level. You feel the story so much more when it’s right there in front of you.”

“A Doll’s House,” a revolutionary play from 1879 that explores themes of marriage, identity, and female independence, proved to be as relevant as ever. The performance was reported to be deeply engaging and full of emotion, capturing the full attention of the DSU students. The play’s dramatic and controversial ending had a profound impact on the audience. As the house lights came up, many students were visibly moved, with some wiping away tears, a testament to the power of the performance and the story’s enduring emotional weight.

Trips like this are a cornerstone of the Honors Program curriculum, designed to foster critical thinking and broaden students’ cultural horizons. Seeing a classic text brought to life on stage provides a learning experience that cannot be replicated in a classroom. It allows students to analyze character, theme, and staging in a dynamic way, sparking conversations that continued long after the final curtain fell.

Students overwhelmingly described the trip as a great experience, not only for the quality of the show but for the chance to bond with their peers. An upperclassman who has attended several theater trips agreed. “This is one of my favorite Honors traditions,” they said. “Each year, we get to experience a new story and a new perspective. It’s more than just a field trip; it’s a shared cultural experience that has really shaped my time at DSU.”

This decade-long tradition has once again proven to be a highlight of the semester, providing a memorable and meaningful experience that underscores the Honors Program’s commitment to a rich, well-rounded education.