THEATRE
Disciplinary Major or Minor - www.uwgb.edu/performarts
OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM:
Theatre graduates have been successful because this program provides a rigorous artistic/academic environment for the study and production of all forms of theatre. A balanced approach to classical, modern, experimental, musical, and children's theatre allows students to keep in touch with the traditions of the past, while looking to the future for new theatre forms.
Students pursuing the bachelor degree in Theatre will choose one of four areas of emphasis:
- Performance (acting/directing)
- Design/Technical Theatre
- Musical Theatre
- Theatre Studies
TIPS FROM THE PROFS:
(from Dr. Jeff Entwistle, Professor of Theatre)
Perhaps the most important thing to remember in the Theatre program is to "Live and play well with others." The program atmosphere is team oriented, where everyone works with and gets along with each other. This is reflective of the Theatre field as a whole also. If you plan on entering this field, you must learn to "Live and play well with others."
Connect with the Faculty Advisor in Theatre right away even if uncertain about your decision to major or minor as I can offer good advice that will take general education into account. Also, don't just rely on STAR for advising. Please stop in and see or e-mail the theatre advisor as each student situation can be quite different. STAR only lists requirements and it does not give a sense of order to your study in terms of what is best to allow students to successfully develop and mature in the program.
WHO SHOULD HAVE THIS MAJOR :
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DEDICATION. Talent, commitment, creativity, hard work, energy, and discipline are key personal qualities required for success in the Theatre program here at UW-Green Bay and in successful theater careers. Those that are truly dedicated to the profession will meet the demands of the program.
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COMMITMENT. Ask yourself these questions before choosing the Theatre major: Do you really enjoy being involved in theatre? Do you think you can probably have a career in Business or Communications? Do you think you could have a career in Theatre? If you answered yes to these, then Theatre might be the right choice for you!
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CHALLENGE. Theatre majors must complete an interdisciplinary minor, and they typically select the art and society track of the Communication and the Arts interdisciplinary program. This combination provides students with an exceptionally strong undergraduate preparation in theatre. However, students can also choose Business Administration, Communication Processes, Education, Humanistic Studies, and Social Change and Development.
WHO SHOULD HAVE THIS MINOR :
Some majors that work well with the Theatre minor are Education, Communication and the Arts, Humanistic Studies, and Business Administration.
WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT THIS MAJOR AT UWGB :
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EXPERIENCE. Theatre faculty members at UW-Green Bay believe that the best way to learn theatre is to create theatre. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the four mainstage productions offered each year and to become active in the student Alternate Theatre organization that annually creates several productions. The theatre program is continually involved with the Kennedy Center's American Theatre Festival which aims to identify and promote quality in university theatrical production.
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EXCELLENCE. The UW-Green Bay campus has excellent facilities for Theatre majors and minors to practice their art. This includes the 450-seat University Theatre, the smaller, flexible Experimental Theatre space, an acting studio, a dance studio, and scene and costume shops. Also included is the 2,000-seat Weidner Center for the Performing, as well as Studio One at the Weidner Center which is used for theatre, dance, and voice classes. A new performance classroom, Studio 2, opens in the fall of 1998 at the Weidner Center.
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FACULTY. The Theatre faculty is highly involved in the students’ education, both inside and outside of the classroom. Students get the personal attention and guidance they need to succeed in the program and in the field.
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REWARDS. Theatre Student Scholarships are available for declared majors and minors in Theatre. Scholarship selection is based on strength in the classroom (minimum 3.0 GPA) and leadership and participation in the production program.
SKILLS & ABILITIES GAINED WITH THIS MAJOR:
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RESULTS. Although students select a specific emphasis with the Theatre major, in an effort to broaden the Theatre education, students will learn from all aspects of the program. The end result is a student who has a certain specialization in Theatre, but also has a diverse knowledge of the whole field. Furthermore, students also broaden their perspective and education in the field by learning about the history of Theatre.
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SKILLS YOU NEED. Students gain excellent communication skills, both oral and written in the Theatre program. Communication skills are the most important and sought after skill that employers look for in candidates!
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UNDERSTANDING. In an effort to enhance the experience of both the performers and the audience, students in the Performance emphasis gain an understanding of human behavior and psychology. To better understand the environmental, cultural, and societal perspectives in both design and performance emphases, the careful selection of general education courses with your theatre advisor is integral to the depth and breadth of your theatre education.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS MAJOR :
UW-Green Bay theatre graduates typically go on to graduate programs in acting, directing, or in design/technical theatre. Students may also find gainful employment in professional theatre by working in resident companies, children's theatre, community theatre, lm companies, and summer stock.
Use the following as an idea list, and remember that they represent some, but certainly not all, of the careers you might consider in Theatre.
Acting Coach, Actor, Actress, Advertising/Marketing Specialist, Agent, Announcer, Art Director, Broadcast Journalist, Business Manager, Casting Director, Copy Writer, Costume Designer, Critic, Director, Drama Coach, Equipment Operator, Exhibit/Display Designer, Instructor/Theater Arts, Lighting Designer, Make-up Artist, Media Planner, Model, Narrator, Playwright, Producer, Prop Manager, Radio/TV Announcer, Rigger, Scene Painter, Script Coach, Script Manager, Set Designer, Sound Designer, Stage Manager, Stunt Coordinator, Talent Manager, Theater Manager, Writer/Editor…
Want to know more about the nature of the work, working conditions, earnings, training, and job outlook? Then check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook @ http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm
LINKS TO GRAD PROGRAMS:
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Graduate School Guide. The comprehensive on-line guide to doctoral, masters, and professional programs. http://www.schoolguides.com
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Gradschools.com. The most comprehensive online source of Graduate School Information. http://www.gradschools.com/
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The Writing Web. Some great tips and advice on writing graduate school application essays. http://www.writingweb.com/
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Peterson’s.com. The most comprehensive and heavily traveled education resource on the web. http://www.petersons.com/
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Or you can try any of the following search engine sites for information on the graduate school program of your choice! http://www.yahoo.com, http://www.infoseek.com, or http://www.snap.com
LINKS TO WEB SITES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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American Association of Community Theatre. Exists to enable community theatres across the country to become the cornerstones of the creative life of their communities. Homepage @ http://www.aact.org/
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American Theatre Works. A non-profit corporation for the performing arts. Homepage @ http://www.theatredirectories.com/
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United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Actively promotes the advancement of the knowledge and skills of design, production, and technology professionals in the performing arts and entertainment industry. Homepage @ http://www.ffa.ucalgary.ca/usitt/
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United Scenic Artists. Represents designers and scenic artists nationwide. Homepage @ http://frontpage1.shadow.net/usa829fl/
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Playbill On-Line. The theatre resource on the web for Broadway theatre. Homepage @ http://www.playbill.com/
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International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. The labor union representing technicians, artisans and craftpersons in the entertainment industry, including live theatre, film and television production. http://www.iatse.lm.com/
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Theater-Express Magazine. Serving the theater community and their audiences: casting calls, reviews, show listings and more. http://www.theater-express.com/
LINKS FOR MORE HELP:
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Make sure you check out UW-Green Bay’s Theatre Department homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/performarts/theatre/theatre.htm
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For course listings and descriptions for Theatre and other disciplines, check out UW-Green Bay’s Programs of Study page @ http://www.uwgb.edu/catalog/undrgrad/programs.htm
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More help is available on-campus at the Career Services Office at SS 1916, 465-2163. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/careers
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Contact Academic Advising at SS 1930, 465-2362. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/advising·
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Another service for UW System students on the Web is UW HELP On-Line. This service provides in-depth information on the programs of the UW System. You can find them at @ http://www.uwhelp.wisconsin.edu
