Theatre Arts Department

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College of Arts and Humanities
Ellensburg
McConnell Hall, room 102

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
Brenda Hubbard, MFA,  acting, directing, literature
Scott R. Robinson, MFA, chair, theatre management
Michael J. Smith, MFA, acting, directing, voice

Associate Professors
Christina Barrigan, MFA, head of design, resident lighting designer
George W. Bellah, 3rd, MFA, movement, performance, stage combat, Asian drama
Elise Forier Edie, MFA, applied theatre, head of performance, playwriting

Assistant Professors
Jay Ball, PhD, graduate coordinator theatre studies
David Brown, MM, musical director, music theory
Terri Brown, PhD, head of music theatre, history, literature and music theatre
Marc Hanjuk, MFA, resident scenic designer

Lecturers
David Barnett, MFA, McConnell stage manager, scence shop manager, technical director and theatre technology
Anneliese Childress, choreographer
Jerry Dougherty, MFA, production manager, theatre technology
Keith Edie, MFA, performance
M. Catherine McMillen, BA, costume shop manager, wigs and makeup
Jessica Pribble, MFA, costume 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.

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.
• Permission of the faculty, which may include prerequisite or background courses.

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

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) 963-3101 to request application materials or visit www.cwu.edu/masters.

Programs

• Master of Arts - Theatre Arts

Return to: Graduate Departments and Programs (Majors, Minors, Certificates)