Department of Theatre Arts

Department Head: Kenneth Risch
Location: Chase Fine Arts Center 232
Phone: (435) 797-0085
FAX: (435) 797-0086
E-mail: theatre@usu.edu
WWW: http://theatre.usu.edu/

Undergraduate Advisors:

Jill Hoffmann-Cox, (435) 797-9751, jill.hoffmann-cox@usu.edu

BA Degree and General Theatre Studies Minor:

Kenneth Risch, Fine Arts Center 232, (435) 797-3047, ken.risch@usu.edu

BFA Degree Theatre Design and Technology Emphasis:

Bruce L. Duerden, Fine Arts Center 148, (435) 797-3026, bruce.duerden@usu.edu

BFA Degree Acting Emphasis:

Leslie Brott, Fine Arts Center 139C, (435) 797-3139, leslie.brott@usu.edu

BFA Degree Theatre Education Emphasis:

Matt Omasta, University Reserve 125, (435) 797-3103, matt.omasta@usu.edu

Graduate Program Coordinator:

Shawn W. Fisher, Fine Arts Center 139D, (435) 797-2120, shawn.fisher@usu.edu

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Undergraduate programs: BA—General Theatre Arts Studies; BFA—Students choose an emphasis in Acting; Theatre Design and Technology, which offers concentrations in costume design, film production, lighting design, technical production, scenic design, sound design, and stage management; or Theatre Education with certification or applied theatre concentrations.

Graduate specializations: MFA—Design (scenery, costume, lighting)

Undergraduate Programs 

The Department of Theatre Arts supports the missions of Utah State University and the Caine College of the Arts by cultivating artistic and academic excellence, by contributing to the cultural enrichment of the university and surrounding communities through live theatre production, and by fostering respect for the arts through advocacy and professionalism.

We assist undergraduate and graduate theatre students in acquiring and developing the tools they need in order to succeed in their future pursuits by:

• Giving them a foundation based on a broad theoretical and working knowledge of the theatre
• Providing advanced training in their chosen area of concentration
• Offering performance and production activities that provide students with practical experience in their chosen field while challenging them to engage in a complex and diverse world

Talented, well-trained students who are committed to the art of theatre and its potential to heighten intellectual, cultural, and humane sensibilities are essential to the fulfillment of our mission. 

Production Groups and Theatres

The Department of Theatre Arts sponsors the following production groups and divisions: Utah State Theatre (UST) and the Lyric Rep, a summer repertory theatre company. Facilities used for performances by these groups include the 700-seat thrust stage Morgan Theatre in the Chase Fine Arts Center, the 360-seat proscenium Caine Lyric Theatre in downtown Logan, and a flexible 90-seat Black Box. Facilities also include a costume shop, scenery shop, sound studio, design studio, dance and movement laboratory, and prop and costume storage areas.

Requirements 

Admission into the Department of Theatre Arts requires a minimum 2.75 overall GPA, a separate departmental application, an audition or portfolio review, and interview with department program area faculty.  Acceptance is competitive and not guaranteed.  Students not accepted into one of the department professional degree programs will be moved to undeclared advising until they choose another major. Students who are accepted may be placed directly into a professional degree program or minor, or placed in the pre-major program.  Pre-majors must, after one semester, apply to a professional degree program or select another major.  Acceptance of pre-major students into a degree program is not guaranteed. Pre-majors who are not accepted into a professional degree program will be moved to undeclared advising until they choose another major. Several audition and interview dates for new students are scheduled during the year, both on-campus and at regional theatre conferences and festivals. Contact the Department of Theatre Arts for more information or visit our website (www.theatre.usu.edu) for more information.

Theatre students must maintain an overall minimum 2.75 GPA.  Courses within the required theatre programs must have a B- grade or better to count towards graduation.  Theatre courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.  All theatre students are required to enroll in practicum, usher, and attend production strikes each semester.  Other departmental and program retention requirements are outlined in the Theatre Student Handbook.

Degree Roadmaps

Advising sheets, which provide detailed information about requirements for the undergraduate degree programs within the Department of Theatre Arts, including sample semester-by-semester four-year plans, are available in the Department of Theatre Arts.

Students should consult with their advisor before registering for classes each semester to ensure they are following their program of study and meeting requirements.

Production Responsibilities

Production assignments provide students with a variety of opportunities to gain practical experience in the various theatre disciplines.  They are not voluntary, nor in any sense extra-curricular.  Practical production work is required and an essential part of a well-rounded professional training.  A permanent theatre participation record is maintained for each student, and successful completion of production assignments is a requirement for graduation. 

Financial Support

Scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities are available through the University. Contact Financial Aid for information. The department offers scholarship opportunities to full time theatre majors through yearly departmental application. Contact the Department of Theatre Arts or visit their website at theatre.usu.edu for more information.

Departmental Honors

Students who would like to experience greater academic depth within their major are encouraged to enroll in departmental honors. Honors students enjoy the benefits of close supervision and mentoring, as they work one-on-one with faculty in selected upper-division departmental courses. Participating in departmental honors may enhance students’ chances for obtaining fellowships and admission to graduate school. Minimum GPA requirements for participation in departmental honors is 3.50. Students may enter the Honors Program at almost any stage in their academic career, including at the junior (and sometimes senior) level. The campus-wide Honors Program, which is open to all qualified students regardless of major, offers a rich array of cultural and social activities, special classes, and the benefit of Honors early registration. Interested students should contact the Honors Program, Main 15, (435) 797-2715, honors@usu.edu. Additional information can be found online at: http://www.usu.edu/honors/

Graduate Programs

Admission Requirements

Students applying to the MFA program are encouraged to have their applications in by December 1. Students who cannot interview with a member of the theatre arts faculty must submit a resume and a portfolio with renderings, designs, photographs appropriate to the specialization, and any special letters of reference not included with the formal application to the School of Graduate Studies, to the Department of Theatre Arts.

The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) may be substituted for the more standard GRE, although the department does not recommend the MAT for international students.

Students who have received their undergraduate training at other institutions, or in a discipline other than theatre, will be expected to meet a proficiency equivalent to that of USU Theatre Arts graduates. This may require the student to complete undergraduate level courses as deemed appropriate by the graduate student’s committee, with a minimum accepted grade of B-, which will not count toward the graduate degree. The student will be given credit for any equivalent courses taken within seven years prior to the date of admission.

Students accepted into the program must begin during the fall semester. The nature of the discipline and the program require that students maintain a continuous residence at the campus during the first two years of study.

Financial Assistance

Graduate Students are not guaranteed financial assistance during their initial year of residence. Teaching and general assistantships are awarded by the department, and are renewable for up to three years.

Additional Information

For more detailed information about individual MFA design specializations, contact the Department of Theatre Arts Graduate Coordinator: shawn.fisher@usu.edu.

Theatre Arts Faculty

Professor
Kenneth Risch, Department Chair, acting and directing

Professors Emeritus
W. Vosco Call, acting and directing
Colin B. Johnson, theatre history and criticism, film
Sidney G. Perkes, scene and costume design

Associate Professors
Bruce L. Duerden, film production, light design, sound design, stage management
Shawn W. Fisher, design
Dennis Hassan, scene design
Nancy E. Hills, costume design
Adrianne Moore, voice, directing

Assistant Professors
Leslie Brott, head of acting, directing
Richie Call, acting
Matthew Omasta, theatre education
Jason Spelbring, acting, movement

Professional Production and Instruction
Louella Powell, costume shop manager, costume construction
Matthew Stowe, technical director, set construction, rigging