Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts
- Dance
- Theatre
Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Acting
- Musical Theatre
- Theatre Design & Technology
Minors
- Theatre
- Technical Production
- Dance
Accreditation
All theatre degree programs at West Virginia University are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).
Nature of the Program
The School of Theatre & Dance offers a competitive training program for the student who seeks artistic growth and development. The School trains students in modern, state-of-the-art facilities with an emphasis on experiential learning in either a B.A. or B.F.A. degree program. We offer intensive training by industry professionals with small classes and one-on-one mentoring.
Mission Statement
We, the faculty and staff, educate students in the diverse traditions and practices of theatre and dance. We challenge each student to engage and confront—vigorously, honestly, and innovatively—the many processes of collaborative theatre and dance. We exemplify to our students the role of creative artists to develop, to explore, and to contribute meaningfully to the world they inhabit.
Performances
The School annually produces five to seven major productions in three major performance spaces: the Gladys G. Davis Theatre, Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre, and the Vivien Davis Michael Laboratory Theatre, all in the Canady Creative Arts Center. The School also occasionally produces in the historic Metropolitan Theatre in downtown Morgantown. These productions provide practical experience for all theatre and dance students and serve the community audience with a balance of classic and contemporary drama, dance, opera, and musical theatre.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the School of Theatre & Dance are employed in professional theatre, radio, television, and film. Others have chosen careers in fashion design, commercial sales, makeup, lighting design and installation, law, and positions in the public arena. Undergraduates are frequently offered graduate student positions with leading university training programs offering M.F.A. study.
Scholarships
The College of Creative Arts and Media offers a limited number of special College-based scholarship awards for freshman and current students enrolled in its programs. College-based awards are granted on the demonstration of outstanding talent, academic achievement, and the demonstration of potential success in the Theatre & Dance program.
Information regarding both University, College of Creative Arts and Media, and Theatre & Dance scholarships can be found on our website.
Faculty
Director
- Joshua Williamson - Joshua Williamson - M.F.A. (University of Wisconsin–Madison)
Lighting Design & Technology
Associate Director
- Radhica Ganapathy - Ph.D. (Texas Tech University)
Theatre History & Criticism
Professors
- Yoav Kaddar - Ph.D. (State University of New York - Albany) and M.F.A. (University of Washington Seattle)
Dance - Mary McClung - M.F.A. (West Virginia University)
Costume Design & Technology - Joshua Williamson - M.F.A. (University of Wisconsin–Madison)
Lighting Design & Technology
Teaching Professor
- Cathy O’Dell - M.F.A. (West Virginia University)
Introduction to Theatre, Acting
Service Professors
- Alan McEwen - M.F.A. (University of Oregon)
Lighting & Sound - Steven Neuenschwander - M.F.A. (Yale School of Drama)
Technical Direction
Associate Professors
- Lee Blair - M.F.A. (University of Florida)
Head of Performance/Acting & Musical Theatre - Radhica Ganapathy - Ph.D. (Texas Tech University)
Theatre History, Criticism, & Literature - General McArthur Hambrick - M.F.A. (University of Washington)
Dance & Musical Theatre - Tamara Honesty - M.F.A. (West Virginia University)
Scene Design - Jessica Morgan - M.F.A. (The Ohio State University)
Stage Movement
Teaching Associate Professor
- Maureen Kaddar - M.F.A. (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee)
Dance
Assistant Professors
- Ryan Scoble - M.F.A. (Kent State University)
Musical Theatre
Service Assistant Professor
- Lara Berich - M.F.A. (Boston University)
Costume Construction - Aubrey Sirtautas - M.F.A. (Carnegie Mellon University)
Production & Stage Management
Visiting Assistant Professor
- Acacia Daken - M.F.A. (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
Voice for the Actor
Professors Emeriti
- Jerry McGonigle
Acting & Directing - Joann Spencer Siegrist
Puppetry - M. Kathryne Weidebusch
Dance
Associate Professors Emeriti
- James D. Held
Theatre History, World Drama
Admissions
Auditions or interviews are required for admission into the B.F.A. theatre programs and the B.A. dance program. Additionally, all students must meet the University's criteria for undergraduate admission. Auditions are required for acting, musical theatre, and dance. Interviews and portfolio reviews are required for theatre design and technology and puppetry. The B.A. in theatre does not require an audition/interview but applicants must still meet University undergraduate admissions requirements.
Upon entrance, students must comply with the general regulations of the University concerning degrees, satisfy all entrance and divisional requirements, and complete one of the curricula of the School of Theatre & Dance with a 2.0 (C) grade point average. Students are required to successfully complete a semesterly review with the faculty which may include an interview, scene work, audition piece, or other type of jury.
For admission to the junior year of the School of Theatre & Dance, a student must have established an overall 2.0 (C) grade point average. Transfer students must establish transfer credit from other institutions during the first semester in which they are enrolled in the School of Theatre & Dance.
Students are responsible for correctly fulfilling all requirements. Each student should review the course requirements both before and after every registration period so that errors or omissions will be detected immediately.