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Welcome
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Midsummer Night’s Dream,
Spring 2006 |
Albion College’s Department of Theatre and
Dance is a great place to prepare for a career in theatre or
teaching, to continue with an extracurricular interest in
theatre or dance, or just to try something new. The
department offers many ways for students to get involved:
Many Chances to Get On Stage
- All Albion students, whether or not they are theatre
majors, are eligible and encouraged to participate in
the numerous performances put on by the department. Each
year these consist of:
- Four department productions of plays/musicals
- Two student workshops of plays (fall and spring)
- A spring dance recital
- A children’s theatre touring show
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Cabaret, Spring 2005
| Acting/Directing
Robert Starko, chair and acting/directing professor,
comes from a background of extensive training in numerous
acting styles, as well as a significant career as a
professional actor. Prof. Starko teaches courses in acting,
directing, vocal technique and movement, and a rotating
series of acting styles classes, as well as providing
individual coaching of students outside of class. In
addition, students receive valuable practical training
during the rehearsal process of every show in which they
participate. Not only does the rest of the faculty bring a
diversity of skills and experiences to the process, but the
department also regularly hosts guest directors.
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The Home Team, Fall 2005 |
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Jason Seabacher in the Resto-ration period
comedy The Country Wife, 2004 |
Dramatic Theory,
History, and Criticism
In their academic pursuits, students learn to think
critically and historically about the performance arts
through writing and discussion-based classes. Jennifer
Chapman teaches dramatic literature, history, and criticism,
as well as advanced courses in feminist theatre,
drama-in-education, and global perspectives on youth
theatre. She is an active scholar whose publications can be
found in Youth Theatre Journal, Qualitative Inquiry in
Education, and Ethnodrama: An Anthology of Reality
Theatre. Dr. Chapman sponsors students in the Foundation
for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative
Activity (FURSCA), teaches a First-Year Experience course in
theatre for youth, and directs mainstage productions for the
department. |
Students Nicole Trachsel and Laura Munson created the set
and lighting designs for Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2006. |
Theatrical Design and Technology
Faculty designer Daniel Walker is a working designer at such regional
theatres as the Purple Rose and Performance Network. He teaches an
introductory course in theatrical design, as well as upper-level courses
in scenic, lighting, and sound design. Advanced students can look
forward to designing for department productions. Technical director Mark
Hoffland brings many years of experience to his work with students in
the scene shop. Students work backstage as part of classes, by
volunteering for production jobs, or through work-study.
Choreography and Dance Performance
Working with dance professor Melissa Wyss, and a number of guest
artists each year, students have been able to study everything from
ballet, to various forms of African dance, to ballroom dancing and tap.
In addition, students interested in choreography can study it during the
year, and then audition to have their pieces included in the annual
dance recital.
Child Come Home, performance piece by guest artist John Parks, 2006.
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