Theater Arts

Undergraduate Program

At the core of the theater program is the strong belief that a liberal-arts education is inherently inseparable to the artist’s process. This relationship provides a cornerstone for the practice and study of theater, as theater by its very nature is a multidisciplined art form. The theater program is designed to attain a balance between a strong liberal-arts education and intensive study in the student’s chosen area of focus.

The program places a strong emphasis on performance as a teaching tool for students at many different levels of work. Each semester, the program presents professionally directed productions of classic and contemporary theater. There are also opportunities to act and direct in student sponsored classes, workshops and productions. Theater productions are open to all Clark students. The program is designed to meet the needs of the major who may eventually wish to pursue a professional career in theater, as well as the nonmajor, who may simply want to gain a greater understanding of the play or the performance process.

The Center for Contemporary Performance is a scholarly community of directors, composers, playwrights, choreographers, film/video makers and critics devoted to the creation, development and publication of contemporary works of art. The center is designed to enhance the academic work of the University by organizing and focusing advanced learning through seminars and directed study in music, theater, film, design, literature and aesthetics. The center enables students and faculty to work with visiting artists and outside performance groups, thereby enriching their educational experience and the creative process. Advanced students are encouraged to develop creative and theoretical projects to take advantage of the critical evaluation and supervision available through the Center for Contemporary Performance.

The theater-arts major is designed to offer an interdisciplinary framework that serves as foundation for the student to enter their primary area of expertise. Once the basic course requirements have been fulfilled, there is a great deal of flexibility in developing a program well suited to the individual needs and interests of the student. The faculty takes a proactive role in the design of this program, preparing the student to enter their chosen field or next level of study.

All courses and seminars in the theater-arts program are opened to qualified nonmajors. Students whose major lies in another discipline can declare a minor in theater arts, developing a complementary sequence of courses in any field within the program.

About Theater Arts

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