2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Theatre
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Chair
Eve Muson
Associate Chair
Eric Abele
Associate Professor
Nikki Hartman
B.S., State University of New York at Oneonta, 1983; M.F.A., Illinois State University, 1992
Susan McCully
B.A., Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales, 1985; M.F.A., The Catholic University of America, 1989; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1997
Eve Muson
B.F.A., Boston University, 1982; M.F.A., 1986
Colette Searls
B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 1991; M.F.A., University of California, Irvine, 2002
Nate Sinnott
B.A., Slippery Rock University, 2003; M.F.A., University of Tennessee, 2009
Senior Lecturer
Eric Abele
B.A., Centre College, 2003; M.F.A., University of Tennessee, 2009
Joan Larkins Mather
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara, 1976; M.F.A., California State University, Fullerton, 1984
Adam Mendelson
B.A., Tufts University, 1996; M.F.A., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2004
Greggory Schraven
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1997; M.F.A., University of Delaware, 2007
Emeritus
Xerxes Mehta
B.A., Cornell University, 1962; M.F.A., New York University, 1969
Wendy Salkind
B.F.A., California Institute of the Arts, 1972; M.F.A., University of California, Davis, 1974
Lynn Watson
B.F.A., Ohio University, 1975; M.F.A., University of California, Irvine, 1993
Staff
Evan McDougall
B.A., Goucher College, 2004
Laurie Newton-King
B.A.A., Boston University, 1976
Emeritus Associate Staff
Terry Cobb
B.A., Auburn University, 1972; M.A., Humboldt State University, 1976; M.F.A., 1980
Courses in this program are listed under THTR.
UMBC’s innovative Theatre Program emphasizes the integration of research and performance. The department provides students a liberal arts education through the study of theatre. The curriculum offers students an in-depth understanding of their chosen theatrical specialty and an equally expansive knowledge of dramatic history, theory, and literature. Students come to appreciate dramatic works for their historical and social values, as well as for their artistry.
All theatre students are required to take core courses that serve as an intellectual and practical foundation for the more advanced, specialized classes in the department. The synthesis of all aspects of theatre study is through the conceptualization, rehearsal, construction, and performance of the dramatic text. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to apply their understanding of their course work through hands-on participation in main stage, laboratory, and student-directed or student-designed productions.
The Department of Theatre offers many opportunities to create, perform, design, study, and research in the field of Theatre. Students are encouraged to meet with a theatre faculty advisor as they consider the most appropriate course of study from UMBC Theatre’s following degree offerings:
The Theatre, B.A. Theatre Studies Track is designed for students interested in multiple areas of theatre practice. These students produce traditional theatre and devise new works by serving as directors, dramaturges, designers, performers and/or playwrights in ensemble-based training.
The Design and Production Track is for students who wish to focus on one or more areas of design and production, including (but not limited to): scenic design, set construction, lighting design, sound design, costume design, costume construction, and stage management.
The Acting, B.F.A. is designed for theatre majors who are interested in an intensive performance-focused program.
All degree options are designed to position the student for successful pursuit of graduate study and/or careers in professional theatre.
Students interested in theatre along with another academic discipline may choose a second (double) major in conjunction with the Theatre, B.A. , or may wish to pursue a Theatre Minor.
Graduates of the program are regularly admitted to the nation’s top conservatories and graduate programs. Alumni also are working in every aspect of professional theatre, film, and television. Professional theatre is only one of the areas in which graduates distinguish themselves. Many graduates use the strong liberal arts background, interpersonal, and organizational skills gained in the theatre curriculum to go on to successful careers in business, government, law, education (at all levels), human services, and other fields.
Upon entering the theatre program, each student is assigned a theatre faculty advisor. The faculty advisor meets with the student during the semester to provide guidance about theatre, university curricula, and course scheduling, and is available for informal conversations about the student’s experiences, concerns, and progress. Transfer students who plan to be majors must confer with a Department advisor before enrolling in any theatre courses. Students may contact Eric Abele (abele@umbc.edu) for questions about advising.
The theatre department has been an active participant in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. UMBC productions have received numerous Awards for Excellence in Theatre Production and have been selected to be performed at the regional festivals and at the national festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The regional festival allows student cast and crew members to attend workshops to interact with students from other universities and to participate in competitions in acting, all facets of design, stage management and dramaturgy. Theatre students also become involved in a range of activities on and off campus. Students can participate in TheatreCOM, the department’s student organization, and/or Music Theatre Club, both of which produce theatrical productions each year. Students have toured productions to local high schools, lead workshops for area school children and performed projects in political theatre. How much is done depends upon the students’ creativity and innovation.
Students have the opportunity to undertake internships as part of their study, during summers, and following graduation at professional theatres in the greater Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. Students interested in study abroad should meet with their faculty advisors in advance of their study to properly plan for their time abroad. The department recommends that students interested in study abroad plan to do so during the fall semester of their junior year.
There are a number of merit-based scholarship awards available to theatre students entering the department and during matriculation. The Linehan Artist Scholars Program is for incoming first year students who show high artistic and intellectual ability and who seek to develop their creative talents in the context of a strong liberal arts education. The Fine Arts Scholarship is offered to talented incoming first year students intending to major in theatre. Additional Theatre Department Scholarships are available to all Theatre majors who have participated in the program for a minimum of two semesters. Students interested in scholarship opportunities can find out more information from the Theatre department website.
ProgramsMajorMinorCoursesTheatre
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