Theatre Program
Department of Theatre & Dance
Potter College of Arts and Letters
UnderGRADUATE
Unless you try to do something beyond what you have
already mastered, you will never grow.
­—Ralph Waldo Emerson
U
At WKU we believe that what
you learn in the shops, in the
studio and on stage is every bit
as important as what happens
in the classroom. Our intensive
production season offers plenty
of opportunities for “hands-on”
learning as you work side-by-side
with faculty and guest artists on
an exciting variety of ­­­theatre and
dance events.
At WKU we commit to helping
you prepare for life after
college. We offer classes like
Acting Audition Workshop and
Performing Arts Career Seminar,
and opportunities like a New York
Showcase and Independent Study
co-ops that offer course credit for
professional work experiences.
Those who choose to pursue
graduate training end up at
schools like NYU, Florida State
and Boston University. Every
summer a significant number of
our students work and study with
theatre and dance companies
around the country. At WKU we create an
environment where students can
grow as scholars and as artists.
Our faculty members are all
dedicated teachers, artists and
mentors, and have a wealth of
professional experience to share
with you. We want to help you
find your passion and make that
passion a reality.
Western Kentucky University is
a fully accredited institutional
member of the National
Association of Schools of
Theatre.
Do I have to audition to get into
WKU’s Theatre programs?
Do I have to audition to get into
No. Anyone accepted as a WKU student may opt
WKU’s Theatre programs?
to pursue a major with us. However, admission
No. Anyone accepted as a WKU student may opt
into the BFA program is by audition or portfolio
to pursue a major with us. However, admission
review at the end of the third semester. We do
into the BFA program is by audition or portfolio
hold auditions for roles in individual shows, and
review at the end of the third semester. We do hold
for dance company.
auditions for roles in individual shows, and for
dance company.
Do you have to be a Theatre & Dance major
to take classes and audition for shows?
Do you have to be a Theatre & Dance major
No, though preference for classes is often given
to take classes and audition for shows?
to our majors and minors who need the credit to
No, though preference for classes is often given
complete their degree programs. Auditions are
to our majors and minors who need the credit to
open to all WKU students—including freshmen.
complete their degree programs. Auditions are open
to all WKU students—including freshmen.
I’ve had years of private dance lessons;
do I have to start over with beginning
I’ve had years of private dance lessons;
dance courses?
do I have to start over with beginning
That depends; level placement in our technique
dance courses?
classes is based on your actual skill level, not
That depends; level placement in our technique
how many years you’ve been taking lessons. Our
classes is based on your actual skill level, not
twice-annual Dance Day offers an opportunity for
how many years you’ve been taking lessons. Our
you to dance for our faculty and be placed in the
dance faculty will work with you to place you in an
appropriate technique level.
appropriate technique level.
Do you offer any scholarships?
Do you offer any scholarships?
Kentucky High School students who have
Kentucky High School students who have attended
attended the Governor’s School for the Arts
the Governor’s School for the Arts program may
program may apply for a full or half-tuition GSA
apply for a full or half-tuition GSA scholarship. Once
scholarship. Once at WKU, all students can apply
at WKU, all students can apply for Department of
for Department of Theatre & Dance scholarships
Theatre & Dance scholarships and awards, ranging
and awards, ranging from $100.00 to $1,000.00,
from $100.00 to $1,000.00, awarded each spring.
awarded each spring.
At WKU we believe that what
you learn in the shops, in the
studio and on stage is every bit
as important as what happens
in the classroom. Our intensive
production season offers plenty
of opportunities for “hands-on”
learning as you work side-by-side
with faculty and guest artists on
an exciting variety of ­­­theatre and
dance events.
At WKU we commit to helping
you prepare for life after
college. We offer classes like
Acting Audition Workshop and
Performing Arts Career Seminar,
and opportunities like a New York
Showcase and Independent Study
co-ops that offer course credit for
professional work experiences.
Those who choose to pursue
graduate training end up at
schools like NYU, Florida State
and Boston University. Every
summer a significant number of
our students work and study with
theatre and dance companies
around the country. At WKU we create an
environment where students can
grow as scholars and as artists.
Our faculty members are all
dedicated teachers, artists and
mentors, and have a wealth of
professional experience to share
with you. We want to help you
find your passion and make that
passion a reality.
Western Kentucky University is
a fully accredited institutional
member of the National
Association of Schools of
Theatre.
Theatre Program
Degree Programs
Every year we present:
Finding work in your field
Our degree programs are grounded in a solid liberal
4 Mainstage productions, including at least
Our graduates typically have work waiting for them when they
leave us, as well as a network of professional connections. Our
graduates are running dance studios, dancing with professional
companies, working in the schools, running major corporations, acting for film and television, performing on Broadway,
performing standup comedy, designing sets and costumes for
film and stage, running storefront theatres, working as agents,
raising money for worthy causes, choreographing for dance
companies and regional theatres – the list goes on and on.
arts experience, giving our students the knowledge
and skills needed to produce thoughtful, high-quality
theatre, and indeed to meet any challenge that requires creative thinking and collaborative problem
solving. Our majors bring strong communication
skills and an exceptional work ethic to whatever they choose to pursue after graduation. We also
work closely with the Honors Program, offer honors
classes, and many students create Honors Thesis
projects on our stages and in our studios.
BFA in Performing Arts
Rigorous pre-professional training in theatre
production, with concentrations available in:
Acting
Directing
Music Theatre
Theatre Design
and Technology
BA in Theatre
Liberal Arts major designed to include a minor
in another discipline.
We also offer a BA in Dance. For more information
please see our Dance Program brochure.
Minors
Theatre
Music Theatre
Dance
Performing Arts
Administration
Courses
Acting
Applied Voice
Children’s Theatre
Choreography
Costume
Technology and
Design
Dance Technique
(Ballet, Jazz,
Modern and Tap)
Directing
History of Drama
Lighting Design
Music Theatre
Performing Arts
Management
Playwriting
Scenic Design
Sound Design
Stage Combat
Stage Management
Technical Theatre
Theatre History
Voice and
Movement
one musical
2 Mainstage dance concerts
3 Student-choreographed dance concerts
A Children’s Theatre Series of 4 to 6 productions
A Studio Series of student-directed works
A Before Broadway Series featuring a staged
reading of a new musical
A Next Stage Series of showcases
and works in progress
Do I have to audition to get into
WKU’s Theatre programs?
No. Anyone accepted as a WKU student may opt
to pursue a major with us. However, admission
into the BFA program is by audition or portfolio
review at the end of the third semester. We do hold
auditions for roles in individual shows, and for
dance company.
Do you have to be a Theatre & Dance major
to take classes and audition for shows?
No, though preference for classes is often given
to our majors and minors who need the credit to
complete their degree programs. Auditions are open
to all WKU students—including freshmen.
I’ve had years of private dance lessons;
do I have to start over with beginning
dance courses?
That depends; level placement in our technique
Theatre Program
classes is based on your actual skill level, not
how many years you’ve been taking lessons. Our
Department of Theatre & Dance
dance faculty will work with you to place you in an
appropriate technique level.
Kentucky High School students who have attended
the Governor’s School for the Arts program may
apply for a full or half-tuition GSA scholarship. Once
at WKU, all students can apply for Department of
Theatre & Dance scholarships and awards, ranging
from $100.00 to $1,000.00, awarded each spring.
For more information
visit our home at:
www.wku.edu/pcal/theatre-and-dance
or contact:
David Young, Ph.D., Department Head
office: Gordon Wilson Hall 300A
email: david.young@wku.edu
Department of Theatre and Dance
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd. #71086
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1086
phone: 270.745.5845
fax: 270.745.5879
Western Kentucky University is an equal opportunity institution of higher
education and upon request provides reasonable accommodation to
individuals with disabilities. www.wku.edu/eoo
A Leading American University With International Reach
© 2011 Western Kentucky University. Printing paid from state funds, KRS 57.375.
Do you offer any scholarships?