Theatre Arts

Ellensburg
McConnell Hall, Room 102

509-963-1750
Fax: 509-963-1767
www.cwu.edu/~theatre
See Web site for how theatre arts could be used for educational and career purposes.

Faculty and Staff
Chair and Director of Summer Institute
Scott R. Robinson, MFA

Graduate Coordinator
Nadine Pederson, PhD

Professors
Brenda Hubbard, MFA, performance head, acting, directing, literature
Scott R. Robinson, MFA, resident costume designer
Michael J. Smith, MFA, acting, directing, voice, literature, musical theatre

Associate Professors
George W. Bellah, 3rd, MFA, movement, stage combat, acting, Asian drama

Assistant Professors
Christina Barrigan, MFA, design head, resident lighting designer
David Brown, MM, music director, music theory
Terri Brown, PhD, music theatre head, history
Marc Haniuk, MFA, scenic design and technology
Elise Forier, MFA, theatre education head, youth theatre, playwriting
Nadine Pederson, PhD, history, literature, criticism

Lecturers
David Barnett, MFA, theatre technology
Jerry Dougherty, MFA, theatre technology
Keith Edie, MFA, performance

Staff
David Barnett, McConnell state manager/technical director
Leslie Caul, director of marketing and development
Mary Makins, senior department secretary
M. Catherine McMillen, costure shop manager
Linda Waters, fiscal technician II

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.

This program is specifically designed around the students work schedule with courses offered annually from mid-June to mid-July and a culminating project at the home school. 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 60 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. Many are intensive workshops and meet from three to 10 hours per day. Most candidates can complete approximately 16-20 credits per summer. Qualified students in the institute may enroll in the master’s degree courses if room permits, and master’s candidates enroll in selected courses from the institute listings.
Housing for summer institute participants is available in nearby university accommodations.

Admission Requirements

Theatre Studies Specialization
Incoming candidates are expected to meet both the requirements for admission to the graduate programs at Central and the following requirements:

A writing sample, preferably in the discipline, of at least five pages.

The GRE is required for admission to this specialization and a foreign language is required for graduation requirements.

Theatre Production Specialization
Incoming candidates are expected to meet both the requirements for admission to the graduate programs at Central and the following program requirements:

Two years of teaching experience or two years of professional theatre experience earned in preparation for teaching
Permission of the faculty, which may include prerequisite or background courses
If the candidate does not hold a bachelor’s degree in theatre and basic course work in theatre history, prerequisite or background courses may often be taken in the Summer Institute for Theatre Arts. An assessment entry exam is required and is taken shortly after classes begin.

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.
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 509-963-3131 to request application materials.