Theatre Arts Department

College of Arts and Humanities
Ellensburg
McConnell Hall, room 102
Mail Stop 7460
509-963-1750
Fax: 509-963-1767
e-mail: theatre@cwu.edu, film@cwu.edu
https://www.cwu.edu/academics/theatre/

Faculty and Staff
Chair
Christina Barrigan, MFA

Professor
Christina Barrigan, MFA, lighting design and technology

Associate Professor
Emily Rollie, PhD, theatre studies, education

Assistant Professors
Natashia Lindsey, PhD, dramaturg, history, literature
Kathryn Stahl, MFA, performance

Senior Lecturers
Michael Caldwell, MFA, film, screenwriting
Jerald Dougherty, MFA, production manager, stage and production management
Jason Tucholke, MFA, sound shop manager, sound design and technology

Lecturers
David Barnett, MFA, McConnell stage manager, technical director
Nathan Drackett, MFA, performance
Asad Farooqui, MFA, film production
Todd Maetani, MFA, film production
Callum Morris, MM, musical director, music theory
Lirit Elizabeth Olyan, MFA, costume design and technology
Phan Tran, MFA, film production

Staff
David Barnett, MFA, McConnell stage manager, technical director
Anna Lea Judah, secretary senior

Department Information
The Department of Theatre Arts offers comprehensive study in the varied facets of theatre arts as they relate to theatre production. Coursework prepares students for rigorous and rewarding work within Central Theatre Ensemble (CTE), the production arm of the program, leading to professional work in the entertainment industry. Based on a professional model of theatre, CTE offers students the opportunity to thrive in all aspects of theatre production in a safe and mentoring environment, working in state-of-the-art venues supported by fully equipped shops and studios.

Admission Requirements
A cumulative grade point average of 2.7 (B-) in the pre-major required courses must be achieved with a minimum grade of “C+” (2.3) in each course. The applicant must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all other collegiate study.

Pre-major required courses:

• TH 107 - Introduction to Theatre Credits: (4)
• TH 144 - Foundations of Acting Credits: (3)
• TH 166 - Theory of Play Production Credits: (3)

BFA Specializations
Admission to the BFA is by audition/interview only. Auditions/interviews are held each year, in late February and early March. See the auditions procedures page https://www.cwu.edu/academics/theatre/productions/theatre-productions-programs-and-activities.php#accordion-2d1e8e89-0244-437a-96b6-b7c8212ed409-1.

Course Offerings
Frequency of course offering information can be found at the department website: https://www.cwu.edu/academics/theatre/ or by contacting the department directly.

Film Department Information
The Film program is an innovative, interdisciplinary, undergraduate program leading to a BA in Film or a minor in production, cinema studies, or screenwriting.

In the BA program, students are provided the opportunity to pursue a course of study that encompasses the scholarly study of film as well as the production and technical aspects of the moving image and writing for the screen. The program employs a scholarly, creative, and professional approach to the study of film and seeks to help each student discover their talent as an independent critic, artist, and communicator.

The Film BA is designed to build specific skills in media production from a strong foundation of general knowledge in film. Students can choose from a range of courses that offer both introductory as well as more advanced study in all aspects of mediated storytelling, from writing and producing to directing, cinematography, and editing. The program emphasizes exploration of the student’s personal creative voice through hands-on productions.

All students begin by making short programs, then progress to more complex productions while learning the collaborative nature of film/video production through crew experiences. Students are encouraged to experiment with traditional narrative structures, documentary, and multi-camera production, as the curriculum allows and their interests dictate.

To complete the learning experience and help students prepare for the job market, all students pursuing the major are strongly encouraged to take advantage of internship opportunities and are required to compile a portfolio and capstone project.

Admission Requirements
A Film major or minor can be selected by students using the normal major or minor declaration process and with assistance from a faculty advisor. Any student who has a minimum CWU grade point average of 2.4 or higher may be admitted to this program. Admission is dependent upon the number of slots available.

Graduation Requirements
Students must maintain a 2.4 CWU GPA or higher with a minimum grade of C- in all courses counted toward fulfilling the film major or minor requirements.

Programs

• Film Major, BA
• Theatre Studies, BA

• Musical Theatre, BFA
• Theatre Design and Production, BFA
• Theatre Performance, BFA

• International Theatre Experience Certificate
• Theatre Teaching Artist Certificate

• Cinema Studies Minor
• Dance Performance Minor (TH)
• Entertainment Technology Minor
• Film Production Minor
• Non-profit Organization Management Minor (TH)
• Screenwriting Minor
• Theatre Arts Minor

Courses

• TH 301 - Production Application
• TH 302 - Performance Application
• TH 303 - Management Application
• TH 313 - Writing for Theatre for Young Audiences (Put on reserve 9/16/23, inactive 8/24/26)
• TH 320 - Musical Theatre IV
• TH 321 - Musical Theatre V
• TH 322 - Musical Theatre VI
• TH 323 - Musical Theatre VII
• TH 329 - Directing I
• TH 330 - Introduction to Playwriting
• TH 333 - Stage Combat Fundamentals
• TH 335 - Movement for the Actor
• TH 342 - Dialects for Stage and Screen
• TH 343 - Singing for Actors II
• TH 344 - Acting IV
• TH 345 - Acting V
• TH 346 - Acting VI
• TH 350 - Theatre and Arts Management I
• TH 351 - Theatre and Arts Management II (Put on reserve 9/1/2020, will go inactive 8/24/23)
• TH 352 - Stage Dance II
• TH 353 - Stage Properties
• TH 354 - Scene Painting
• TH 356 - Stage Sound
• TH 357 - Entertainment Rigging
• TH 360 - Stage Management
• TH 361 - Stage Costuming
• TH 362 - Costume Crafts
• TH 363 - Theatre History I
• TH 364 - Theatre History II
• TH 365 - Theatre History III
• TH 366 - Theatre Rendering
• TH 367 - Stage Scenery
• TH 368 - Stage Lighting
• TH 374 - Introduction to Acting for the Camera
• TH 375 - Asian Drama
• TH 377 - Staging Gender
• TH 378 - Theatre Facilities Management
• TH 380 - Studies in Drama
• TH 382 - Diverse Experiences in American Drama
• TH 385 - Race and Performance
• TH 388 - Introduction to Dramaturgy
• TH 393 - Theatre Laboratory
• TH 396 - Individual Study
• TH 397 - Honors
• TH 398 - Special Topics
• TH 400 - Rehearsal and Performance
• TH 401 - Production Application
• TH 402 - Performance Application
• TH 403 - Management Application
• TH 410 - History of Fashion
• TH 415 - Musical Theatre History and Literature I
• TH 416 - Musical Theatre History and Literature II
• TH 421 - Musical Theatre VIII
• TH 422 - Musical Theatre IX
• TH 423 - Theatre Pedagogy
• TH 429 - Directing II
• TH 433 - Advanced Stage Combat
• TH 435 - Advanced Movement for the Actor
• TH 440 - Advance Design Problems
• TH 444 - Acting Styles
• TH 445 - Audition Techniques for the Stage
• TH 456 - Advanced Concepts in Sound for Film and Stage
• TH 460 - Production Management
• TH 461 - Costume Design
• TH 464 - Wig Creation, Styling, and Maintenance (Put on reserve by dept. 9/16/23, will go inactive 8/24/26)
• TH 465 - Costume and Fashion Drawing
• TH 467 - Scene Design
• TH 468 - Lighting Design
• TH 474 - Acting for Film and Television
• TH 481 - Kennedy-Center Festival
• TH 482 - Devised Theatre
• TH 487 - Theatre Pedagogy
• TH 489 - Career and Portfolio Preparation
• TH 490 - Cooperative Education
• TH 491 - Workshop
• TH 493 - Theatre Laboratory
• TH 494 - International Theatre Experience
• TH 495 - Senior Research Project
• TH 496 - Individual Study
• TH 497 - Honors
• TH 498 - Special Topics
• TH 499 - Seminar