Theatre and Dance
Greetings!
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Theatre & Dance at Western Kentucky University. We are determined to be a department where you can reach your full potential.
We offer several different degree programs, all designed to balance theory and practice. We’ve also brought together a remarkable faculty, an exciting production season, and exceptional facilities so that every component is in place for your success.
Our faculty members have résumés featuring top-notch creative work and scholarship, as well as many years of professional experience. You’ll study closely with this talented faculty (not graduate assistants) and work regularly with established guest artists. Making it all run smoothly is our exceptional staff. We’ll challenge you, we’ll collaborate with you, and we’ll care about you.
You’ll have a chance to work in a wide array of performance spaces and studios. We utilize the 130-seat black box Lab Theatre, the 300-seat proscenium Russell H. Miller Theatre and the recently renovated 1000-seat Van Meter Auditorium for performances. We’ve got a fully equipped scene shop, costume shop, prop shop, makeup room, and CAD lab. Of course, we also have a full range of studio spaces, rehearsal rooms, and classrooms.
At Western, we believe that what you learn in the shops, the studios and onstage is every bit as important as what happens in the classroom. Our intensive production season provides plenty of “hands on” experience. On average, we offer around 80 individual nights of performance of 20 to 25 different productions every year, including:
- 4 Mainstage productions, including at least one musical
- 2 Mainstage dance concerts
- 3 Student-choreographed dance concerts
- A Children’s Theatre Series of 4 to 6 productions
- A Studio Series of student-directed works
- A Before Broadway Series featuring a staged reading of a new musical
- A Next Stage Series of showcases and works in progress
- The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts is a rigorous, pre-professional degree with concentrations in Acting, Music Theatre, Theatre Design and Technology, and Directing. Admission into the BFA is by audition or portfolio review in the third semester.
- The Bachelor of Arts in Dance offers a firm grounding in the discipline, featuring plenty of studio work in ballet, jazz and modern. Students must reach at least a level V in one of these areas and a level III in another in order to graduate with this degree.
- The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre is a solid foundation in the many different aspects of theatre. You may also choose from a variety of elective hours to tailor this degree to your particular interests.
Neither the BA in Theatre degree nor the BA in Dance requires an audition for admission into the degree. It is highly recommended, however, that prospective dance students attend on of our Dance Day events in order to receive proper placement before beginning dance classes. WKU does require every student taking a BA degree to have a minor in a separate field. You may choose your minor from any department at WKU.
Our department also offers minors in Theatre, Dance, Music Theatre, as well as an interdisciplinary minor in Performing Arts Administration.
Our theatre program is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
Your career is important to us.
We are committed to helping you prepare for life after college. For example, we offer classes like Acting Audition Workshop, Dance Pedagogy, and Performing Arts Career Seminar. Those who choose to go on to pursue graduate training end up at schools like NYU, Florida State, Boston University, and the University of Colorado. Every summer a significant number of our students are apprenticing in theatre and dance companies around the country. A group of dance students travel every year to Italy to perform at the Balletto da Civitavecchia, and our acting and music theatre seniors have the opportunity to perform in a New York Showcase. We want to help you find your passion and make that passion a reality.
It works.
Our graduates typically have work waiting for them when they leave us, as well as a network of professional connections. We are extremely proud of our alumni. Our graduates are running dance studios, dancing with professional companies, working in the schools, running major corporations, acting for film and television, performing on Broadway, performing standup comedy, designing sets and costumes for film and stage, running storefront theatres, working as agents, raising money for worthy causes, choreographing for dance companies and regional theatres – the list goes on and on.
Want to know more? Come visit anytime! Prospective students are always welcome. You can meet a faculty member, chat with some students, tour our facilities and sit in on a class. Call or write anytime if you have questions: (270) 745-5845 or theatreanddance@wku.edu. Check out our page of frequently asked questions to learn more about scholarships, dance level placement, auditions, student organizations and more. For a tour of the WKU campus please contact the Admissions Office at (270) 745-2551.
Thanks again for your interest in WKU Theatre & Dance. Come see us sometime!
David Young, Ph.D.
Department Head
Department of Theatre & Dance
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd. #71086
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1086
(270) 745-5845
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In Production
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
MARCH 19, 20, & 21, 2010 Lab Theatre, Gordon Wilson Hall
Book by Lynn Ahrens / Music by Stephen Flaherty / Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Fates and the island gods bring together a young man and woman from very different
backgrounds. Song, dance and storytelling unite in this bold, energetic musical
to tell a tale of two lovers divided by class and race.
Director: Wes Drummond
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm/ Sunday at 3:00 pm
ADMISSION $3.00.
More Information... The Before Broadway Series: LIKE YOU LIKE ITSeating is NOT reserved. Doors open 30 minutes before the beginning of each show.If you are bringing a group of 15 or more persons, please call ahead.For more information, please contact the WKU Department of Theatre and Dance at(270) 745-5845 or theatreanddance@wku.edu or www.wku.edu/theatre&dance
MARCH 26,2010 RUSSELL MILLER THEATRE, FAC
A staged reading of a new musical. Be the first to
see this work before it heads to Broadway!
By Sammy Buck and Dan Acquisto
Director and Music Director: Tracey Moore
Shakespeare meets High School Musical in this family-friendly retelling of As You Like It, set in the 1980s. Join us for a staged reading of this brand new musical, followed by a talk-back with the writer.
Friday at 7:00 pm / Free (donations accepted)
Seating is NOT reserved. Doors open 30 minutes before the beginning of each show.
For more information, please contact the WKU Department of Theatre and Dance at (270) 745-5845 or
theatreanddance@wku.edu. Our website is: www.wku.edu/theatre&dance
More Information... THE HECKLERSMARCH 30, 2010 RUSSELL MILLER THEATRE, FAC
Staged Reading: The Hecklers
By Dave Christopher, WKU
Director: Gary Taylor
Two Kentucky hecklers become national celebrities after a scandalous run-in with a famous comedian. This journey into the malevolentand wondrous lives of The Hecklers is recommended
only FOR MATURE AUDIENCES.
Tuesday at 8:00 pm / Free (donations accepted)
More Information...