Theatre

Joan Herrington, Chair
Main Office: 1103 Gilmore Theatre Complex
Telephone: (269) 387-3220
Fax: (269) 387-3222

Jay Berkow
Cheryl Bruey
Lofton L. Durham, III
Daniel Guyette
Scott Irelan
Dwandra Lampkin
Mark Liermann
David Nofsinger
Elizabeth Terrel
Kathryn Thomsen
Kathryn Wagner

The Department of Theatre offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. Students should refer to degree and WMU Essential Studies requirements within this catalog for specifics. The WMU Department of Theatre is an exceptional, undergraduate-only learning environment dedicated to providing our student artists with the skills necessary to succeed in the current industry and to lead the industry as it evolves. We mindfully create a community that includes passionate students, deeply committed faculty, and professional specialists. Together, we produce relevant work that enriches the lives of artists and audience alike. We are passionate about empowering a new generation of theatre, film, and media artists to shape a vibrant, inclusive, and innovative future for our art form.

Opportunities for participation in the production program begin with the freshman year. The Department presents nine faculty-directed productions in the season, all in the Irving S. Gilmore Theatre Complex. Additional student-directed plays are presented in the Footlights Series. All regularly enrolled students in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or above) are eligible to participate in these productions.

The Department of Theatre is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). The requirements for entrance and for graduation are in accordance with the published guidelines of NAST.

Admission as a Major

Admission to Western Michigan University is granted only by the Office of Admissions for undergraduate students. Application forms may be obtained by writing to the Office of Admissions, 2240 Seibert Administration Building, or via the Web at wmich.edu.

Enrollment in a Theatre or Music Theatre program is contingent upon admission to the University and approval of the Department of Theatre. Department approval is obtained through the theatre audition or interview process. Information regarding auditions and interviews can be found at wmich.edu/theatre. The students are urged to commence application procedures early in the senior year of high school, or in the final year at a community college.

Approval to become a Theatre or Music Theatre major is based upon the student’s capabilities, as demonstrated by the audition or interview, upon academic abilities reflected in grade point average, a resume and letters of recommendation.

The department welcomes the opportunity to confer with prospective students, parents, and counselors regarding educational goals and plans.

Admission to the Theatre Minor is contingent on approval of Department of Theatre. Information application can be found at wmich.edu/theatre

Advising

Advisor: Debra Gambino
2003 Gilmore Theatre Complex
(269) 387-6171
debra.gambino@wmich.edu

The Theatre Academic Advisor will assist any student enrolled in the University with course selections in theatre. Appointments are made by calling (269) 387-6171. Theatre majors and minors must confer yearly with the theatre advisor who will help them plan their program.

All students are reviewed by the faculty in their respective majors during their fourth and six semesters of study within the Department of Theatre. The purpose of the review is to assess the students’ progress toward completion of the major and to discuss upper-level coursework, fourth-year projects and post-graduate planning. Satisfactory review is required for continuation in the program.

A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses within the major. If a student receives a grade lower than “C”, the student is required to retake the class. If a second grade of lower than “C” is received, the student will be reviewed by the faculty to determine continued enrollment in the program.

Transfer Credit

It is department policy to accept no more than 18 hours of transferred credit toward a major and 9 hours toward a minor.

Students transferring into all Theatre programs will be assessed at the time of their audition/interview and will be placed into the program at the level of study deemed appropriate by the faculty.

Programs

The Department of Theatre offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in: Acting, Music Theatre Performance, Theatre Design and Technical Production and Stage Management, a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Administration and a liberal arts theatre minor.

Western Essential Studies

A student must complete all the WMU Essential Studies requirements as outlined in this catalog including a minimum of six (6) of these WES courses by the end of the sophomore year or the student will be placed on probation that may impact casting and production assignments.