Southwestern College

Overview

Higher education has historically had, at it's heart, an appreciation of theatre. It has encouraged theatre as a part of student’s lives, taught both its literature and art, and worked to develop students understanding of the need of theatrical expression of our humanness. Southwestern College’s Theatre Art Department is designed to meet the needs of both students in general liberal arts education and majors within the department. The department gives the opportunity to all students to develop skills, confidence and poise in various performance situations. It aims to develop the students potential through classroom extra-curricular learning experiences, gives a basic knowledge of the theatre and the work and joy that are part of its creation, and stresses the importance of the arts in our lives as they help us to understand ourselves, others and the world we share.

For majors in theatre arts, the department provides an academic program and co- and extra-curricular activities. These prepare students for further studies in graduate or professional schools, and for careers in education or in professional theatre. The major aims to develop individuals prepared to live responsibly with concern for others, and to be creative. self-expressive leaders and citizens.

The theatre arts major provides for emphases in general theatre arts, musical theatre, theatre arts education, theatre arts performance or in technical theatre.

The theatre arts minor is available for students who wish to major in another academic area, but who also want transcript recognition for serious academic study in heatre. The Theatre Projects course is a requirement for at least one hour each semester that students are declared a major, for a minimum of 4 hours for graduation. Theatre arts majors must counsel with a departmental advisor to declare an area of emphasis by the beginning of the junior year.