As a community of Theatre artists, we cultivate the stewardship of intellect and imagination in a forum for civic dialogue as we seek to understand our calling in Christ.
Department of Theatre Goals and Objectives
1. To cultivate the stewardship of the intellect and imagination.
- To explore the intersections between Christian faith and theatre art;
- To honor the complementary relationship between academic study and artistic practice;
- To assist students in developing an aesthetic perception of their art;
- To invite creative collaboration in our community.
2. To gain knowledge and experience in a broad range of dramatic genres, historic movements, and critical theories that shape our understanding of the past and present.
- To disseminate knowledge of the theatre’s historical context through oral, written, and applied projects;
- To identify and synthesize key characteristics of a variety of theatrical styles, dramatic genres, historic movements, and critical theories.
- To identify the reciprocal relationships between theatrical styles and movements, and the social, political, and cultural trends that shaped them;
- To critique the seminal artists associated with these styles;
- To recognize and engage theoretical ideas associated with seminal moments in theatre history;
- To demonstrate a sound understanding of research methods as a tool for historical and interpretive evidence;
- To discover and apply systems of analysis to a variety of dramatic texts;
- To develop inventory strategies that help illuminate the technical requirements and challenges inherent in the dramatic text;
- To introduce non-western performance traditions through a variety of western experiences.
3. To demonstrate an understanding of all areas of theatre production (design, technology, performance).
- To demonstrate the fundamentals of acting including physical and vocal freedom and character development;
- To participate in and evaluate a broad range of production experiences;
- To study and experience the fundamentals of technical production and design.
4. To develop proficiency in one or more areas of emphasis (technical, production and design, acting, directing).
- Acting Emphasis
- To provide the student with individualized attention in an intimate studio environment;
- To develop competencies in Stanislavsky-based acting techniques;
- To learn and experiment with other complementary and divergent approaches to acting;
- To learn and apply vocal and movement techniques in studio and performance contexts;
- To enrich curriculum with workshops and master classes;
- To develop effective and practiced audition techniques.
- Directing Emphasis
- To gain intimate knowledge of the theatrical process;
- To study, critique and apply the ideas of seminal stage directors both past and present;
- To be conversant in the working languages of technical production and design;
- To embrace reciprocal and collaborative relationships between artist and art forms outside theatre;
- To conduct and synthesize dramaturgical research;
- To be conversant in various approaches to script analysis and deconstruction;
- To develop and communicate a philosophy of directing;
- To apply course work in directing theory, acting, design, and production to applied experiences;
- To provide opportunities to participate in the production process as a director in a full-mounted short or one-act play.
- Technical Production and Design Emphasis
- To gain competencies in one or more areas of technical production and design;
- To experience current technological advances in theatre production;
- To experience a combination of classroom and realized production and design experiences;
- To develop systems of script analysis from a designer’s and technician’s perspective;
- To develop the communication skills necessary to work effectively with other designers, directors, and technicians.
5. To develop a discerning critique of self, peers, process, and product.
- To develop, present and critique a professional portfolio;
- To identify individual strengths and weaknesses in self and others;
- To discern aesthetic strengths and weaknesses in the dramatic text for performance;
- To participate in a variety of department-sponsored forums for civic dialogue;
- To participate in post-production critiques.
6. To prepare students for career and vocational opportunities and provide awareness of opportunities in a related field.
- To encourage students to apply their knowledge and skills beyond the academy through internships, professional apprenticeships, and special projects;
- To develop and present a professional portfolio;
- To become familiar with professional development opportunities.
7. To educate a new generation of theatre patrons within the Messiah University community and the wider Central Pennsylvania communities.
- To provide hands-on theatre experiences through the General Education program;
- To contribute to our community’s aesthetic understanding of our world;
- To provide a space where non-majors can explore the creative process of theatre;
- To model artistic collaboration.
8. To engage in reciprocal relationships across the Messiah University curriculum.
- To provide a diverse range of courses challenging to the theatre major, minor, and non-theatre major.
- To enrich campus dialogue through partnerships with various co-curricular programs;
- To network with other departments in order to develop and maintain courses that enrich our respective programs.
9. To collaborate with specific educational and artistic initiatives throughout Central Pennsylvania and beyond.
- To enrich the cultural life of the external community;
- To partner with artistic, educational, and public service organizations through educational theatre.