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Message from the Chair
Welcome to the University at Albany/State University
of New York and to the Department of Theatre.
This is an especially vibrant time for the department.
Offering a general and departmental B.A. degree
in Theatre, as well as a minor in Theatre, the
department encourages student-faculty interaction,
research and creative activity, and a strong
liberal arts approach to theatre education and
training.
One of the underlying philosophies that has
existed since the B.A in Theatre Arts was created,
is the commitment to the individual undergraduate
student. The relatively small size of the theatre
program and the commitment of each faculty member
to serve as mentor or master teacher have provided
a nurturing environment for creative and intellectual
growth. Our students have been highly successful
in securing admission to the top graduate programs
in the country and, for those pursuing commercial
careers, have been successful in regional theatre
on both coasts.
The curriculum covers a range of coursework
from acting, theatre design/technology, playwriting,
and screenwriting to directing, history, and
script analysis. Additional courses are regularly
offered in areas such as stage management, arts
administration, and numerous special topics
and specialty courses, as well as in dance and
in movement. Internship credit is available
and internship opportunities are encouraged
for our students. The program continuously reviews
its curriculum in order to insure meeting the
needs of the students. Guest artists are regularly
contracted to further enhance the educational
experiences for our students. This past season,
guest artists provided invaluable coaching in
voice (for A Midsummer Night's Dream
and The Trojan Women) and fight choreography
(for Lonely Planet, which is held for
further consideration to festival invitation
by the Kennedy Center American College Theater
Festival). Also, the department offered a workshop
in period acting styles by guest artist, Ingrid
Sonnichsen.
Theatre productions serve as another component
of theatre training, providing a laboratory
for the experimentation and development of creative
work. Students are encouraged to participate
as actors, directors, technicians, designers
and managers. Believing that to fully challenge
and develop students who can serve as leaders
of the theatre in the 21st century, opportunities
must be provided in all areas of theatre. Participation
in departmental productions is open to all University
students regardless of academic major, vocational
interests and previous experience. We offer
an inclusive casting and study environment.
[Click here to review
the Casting Policy following Audition dates.]
Mainstage productions are held in the Performing
Arts Center, a superb four-theatre complex featuring
the Main Stage, the Studio Theatre, the Lab
Theatre and the Arena Theatre. Both faculty
and students mount workshop productions in addition
to fully mounted productions. The Mainstage
season for 2006-2007 includes The Birthday
Party, The Lady's Not for Burning,
The Shape of Things, and Plays in Process.
[Click here to see
Audition dates.] In addition to departmental
productions, the student group, Theatre Council,
presents productions throughout the year in
the Performing Arts Center.
The Theatre Department is active with the Kennedy
Center American College Theater Festival and
United States Institute of Theatre Technology.
Department faculty is active in commercial theatre
and national and regional professional theatre
organizations. The Theatre Department at University
at Albany is a close-knit group of students
and faculty. Whether you are interested in pursuing
theatre as a major, minor or extracurricular
activity, you will find that the Theatre Department
will provide ample opportunity to get involved!
Best wishes to you in your academic career,
J. Kevin Doolen
Chair, Department of Theatre
Associate Professor, Theatre
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