Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Theatre Arts MA, Theatre Production Specialization


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Theatre Production
The theatre production specialization is specifically designed for the working teacher who produces plays and would like to obtain an advanced degree through hands-on courses.

This program is specifically designed around the students work schedule with courses offered annually in July and a culminating project at the home school. The option of completing part of the course work during the academic year to complete the degree in a more expedited manner is also an option of qualified students. Since it was established in 1996, teachers representing 27 states and 12 nations have attended this unique limited-residency graduate program. Students join more than 45 other students each summer learning new skills to take back to the classroom and networking with other theatre artists and educators.

Most graduate courses supporting the theatre production specialization are offered over three summer sessions through the Summer Institute for Theatre Arts. Introductory courses are delivered online during the term prior to the summer session in which the student has been admitted.

Housing for summer institute participants is available in nearby university accommodations.

Admission Requirements

Theatre Production Specialization
Incoming candidates are expected to meet both the requirements for admission to the CWU School of Graduate Stuides and the following program requirements:

  • Two years of teaching experience or two years of professional theatre experience earned in preparation for teaching
  • If the candidate does not hold a bachelor’s degree in theatre - a conditional admission will be extended and reviewed after the first year of study.

Neither the GRE nor a foreign language is required for the theatre production specialization.

Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of teaching or research assistantships are available to qualified candidates for the academic year. Assistantships are appointed by the dean of Graduate Studies and Research upon recommendation of the department chair. No assistantship covers summer programs.

Assistantship applications must be completed by February 16 in order to insure full consideration; applicants should submit all materials required by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. Contact them at (509) 963-3101 to request application materials or visit www.cwu.edu/masters.

Theatre Arts MA Core


Total Required Core Credits: 13


Theatre Production Specialization


The theatre production specialization is designed to prepare teachers to teach and produce theatre. Courses include the study of theatre technology, acting and movement skills, literature and theory, in the context of theatre history, supervised practice in directing plays and musicals. And pedagogical theory.

The program is offered almost entirely in the summer months within the context of the Summer Institute for Theatre Arts. Some graduate study is available during the regular school year. It should be noted that students will be required to register for thesis credits during the academic year. Residency requirement for this program is fulfilled over three summers.

Program Requirements
A minimum of 45 credits is required for the theatre production specialization. Creative project (thesis) credits are in. The creative project (thesis) required is a full production of a play or musical at an approved outside venue - usually the candidate’s school, with written documentation, director’s book, and video submitted to the department. The candidate’s graduate committee which consists of three faculty members selected by the candidate, will select a member, usually the chair, who will view the production in performance at the candidate’s venue. An oral examination and defense of the creative project (thesis) is required and is scheduled the quarter following the realized project. The oral exam/project defense can be held on campus or via electronic conferencing through a committee-approved provider such as Skype or Google Hangout.

A maximum of 15 graduate credits earned within the previous four years at CWU may be applied to the program. The department and the university reserve the right to determine the acceptability of other transfer credit from any institution; a maximum of 9 credits can be accepted from other institutions.

Theatre Endorsement in Washington State
Meeting the state standards, under department advisement, is required to fulfill the theatre endorsement in Washington State. To earn the Washington State endorsement in Theatre the candidate must successfully complete all the standards set forth by the state -this is documented by successful completion of all Theatre Production program requirements, or evaluations, creative project and oral examination– and successfully pass the WEST-E examination. The Praxis or equivalent test may be required to complete certification in other states.

In addition to the MA Theatre core of 13 credits, the student must complete the following:

Total Required Courses Credits: 32


Total Credits: 45


Theatre Arts Department Graduate Information


College of Arts and Humanities
Ellensburg
McConnell Hall, room 102
Mail Stop 7460
509-963-1750
Fax: 509-963-1767
email: theatre@cwu.edu
www.cwu.edu/theatre
    See the website for how this program may be used for educational and career purposes.

Faculty and Staff
Chair

Scott R. Robinson, MFA

Professors
Scott R. Robinson, MFA, chair, theatre management
Michael J. Smith, MFA, head of performance, dialect, acting for the camera

Associate Professors
Christina Barrigan, MFA, head of design, resident lighting designer
George W. Bellah, 3rd, MFA, movement, performance, stage combat, Asian drama
Terri Brown, PhD, head of music theatre, history, literature and music theatre
David Brown, MM, musical director, music theory
Marc Haniuk, MFA, resident scenic designer

Assistant Professors
Patrick Dizney, MFA, voice, performance

Senior Lecturer
Jerry Dougherty, MFA, stage and production management

Lecturers
David Barnett, MFA, McConnell stage manager, scene shop manager, technical director
Matthieu Chapman, PhD, theatre and performance studies
Joshua Legate, MA, light shop manager
Meredith Magoun, MFA, costume design and technology
M. Catherine McMillen, BA, costume shop manager, wigs and makeup
Joseph Sasnett, BFA, voice instructor
Megan Smith, BFA, dance instructor, choreographer
Jason Tucholke, MFA, sound design and technology

Staff
Gwen Bruce, fiscal technician II
Mary Makins, secretary senior

Department Information
Students must choose one of two specializations: theatre production or theatre studies.

Theatre Studies
The theatre studies specialization is specifically designed for students with career goals in dramaturgy, teaching in higher education, or pursuing a PhD in theatre history, research, literature, or criticism. The program is designed to build the research and analytical skills needed for an academic career in theatre. This Resident Program focuses on the dramaturgical aspects of production, as well as individual scholarly interests related to theatre arts. With opportunities to both teach and undertake research projects in theatre, this program offers the perfect blend of pedagogy and theory needed to prepare students for careers as theatre scholars.

A limited number of teaching or research assistantships are available to qualified candidates for the academic year. Out-of-state tuition waivers are also available to qualified candidates.

Theatre Production
The theatre production specialization is specifically designed for the working middle and secondary school teacher who produces plays and would like to obtain an advanced degree through hands-on courses in a program offered entirely during the summer months, within the context of the Summer Institute for Theatre Arts. Options of a blend of summer and academic year models are options, under advisement of the department. This may make the earning of and MA possible in an eighteen-month period.

Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of teaching or research assistantships are available to qualified candidates for the academic year. Assistantships are appointed by the dean of Graduate Studies and Research upon recommendation of the department chair.
Assistantship applications must be completed by February 16 in order to insure full consideration; applicants should submit all materials required by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. Contact them at (509) 963-3101 to request application materials or visit www.cwu.edu/masters.

College of Arts and Humanities Information


Administration and Organization

Dean
Stacey Robertson, PhD (Hebeler Hall, room 202)

Interim Associate Dean
Katharine Whitcomb, PhD (Hebeler Hall, room 202)

Mail Stop 7518
509-963-1858
Fax: 509-963-1851
www.cwu.edu/arts/

Overview
The College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) is comprised of 12 departments and programs, which represent the disciplines of the arts and humanities. All of the departments and some of the programs of CAH offer undergraduate degrees as well as minors which supplement other degree programs. Five departments offer Master’s degrees. In addition to its role in providing degree programs, CAH is responsible for many of the course offerings of the general education programs as well as extensive service coursework for the entire university. The college also plays a major role in Central’s teacher education programs, offering bachelors and master’s degrees for students preparing to be secondary teachers and providing coursework in educational foundations and discipline-specific methods for teacher education majors. Building on a legacy of teaching excellence, college faculty are engaged in research, creative activities and service, involving students in the scholarship and practical applications of their various academic specializations, while making important contributions to the intellectual tradition and to society at large. There are no special requirements for admission to the college, but some departments have requirements that are described under the respective department and program headings in the catalog.

Mission
The College of Arts and Humanities advances knowledge, promotes intellectual inquiry, and cultivates creative endeavor among students and faculty through teaching informed by scholarship, creative activity, and public and professional involvement. We are committed to helping students develop intellectual and practical skills for responsible citizenship and the challenges of contemporary life in a global society. The college offers disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs of the highest quality, acts as a steward of the foundational disciplines upon which all inquiry is based, and serves as a cultural center for arts and humanities for the university and the region.

Vision
The College of Arts and Humanities will be recognized as a distinguished learning community known regionally for scholarly and creative excellence, innovative, and rigorous foundational liberal arts education, and undergraduate and graduate programs that are outstanding and unique in the state.

Departments and Programs
Africana and Black Studies Program: Bobby Cummings, PhD (Michaelsen Hall, room 104)
Art: Gregg Schlanger, MFA (Randall Hall, room 100)
Asia/Pacific Studies Program: Jeffrey Dippman, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 337C)
Communication: Marji Morgan, PhD (Bouillon Hall, room 232A)
English: George Drake, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 423)
Film and Video Studies Program: Liahna Armstrong, PhD  and Jon Ward (Bouillon Hall, room 225)
History: Jason Knirck, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 100)
Latino and Latin American Studies Program: Stella Moreno, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 102J)
Music: Todd Shiver, DMA (Jerilyn S. McIntyre Music Building, room 144)
Philosophy and Religious Studies: Matthew Altman, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 337)
Theatre Arts: Scott Robinson, MFA (McConnell Hall, room 106)
World Languages: Laila Abdalla, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 102)

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