2009-2010
School of Theatre and Dance Undergraduate Student Handbook
UH Staff
2009-2010
Table of Contents
Department
Statistics.........................................................................................................3
Degree
Plans..................................................................................................................
.....3
Audition
Process...............................................................................................................
..3
Mentor
System................................................................................................................
....3
Jury
System................................................................................................................
........4
Absence
Policy.................................................................................................................
...4
Academic
Advisor..............................................................................................................
.4
Rehearsal Expectations and
Etiquette...............................................................................4
Scholarships.......................................................................................................
.................4
TD
Net.....................................................................................................................
...........5
2
Who’s
Who...................................................................................................................
.......5
Where to Live OnCampus................................................................................................6
Campus
Parking...............................................................................................................
..6
Campus
Safety.................................................................................................................
...6
Cougar
Card...................................................................................................................
.....6
Rec
Center................................................................................................................
...........6
Copy
Center................................................................................................................
........6
Library...............................................................................................................
..................6
Writing
Center................................................................................................................
....7
Center for Students with
Disabilities................................................................................7
4-year Graduation
Bonus...................................................................................................7
3
Hurricane
Info....................................................................................................................
7
Houston
Theaters.............................................................................................................
..7
Area Restaurants and
Grocery..........................................................................................9
Houston Arts
Scene..........................................................................................................10
Theatreport.com................................................................................................
................10
Area
ATMs..................................................................................................................
......10
Area Cell Phone
Companies.............................................................................................11
Area Car Repair
Shop......................................................................................................11
School of Theatre & Dance Statistics
· Undergraduate Students – 209 total students
 Dance Majors – 43 students
 Theatre Majors – 166 students
o Performance Track – 126 students
o Design Track – 40 students
· Graduate Students – 49 total students
 Summer MA for Educators – 16 students
 MA for Scholars – 4 students
 MFA Acting track – 16 students
 MFA Design track – 11 students
 MFA Directing track – 2 students
· Ratio of Males/Females
 Females 66%
 Males 34%
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· Average Class Size
 Dance 15 – 25 students
 Theatre 10 – 20 students
Degree Plans
The School of Theatre & Dance offers the following undergraduate degrees:
BFA in Acting
BFA in Theatre Education
BFA (in development) in Design and Technology
BA in Playwriting/Dramaturgy
Audition process
Every semester, a casting assessment will be held both to cast that semester’s
productions and to evaluate each student’s progress in the program. These
auditions will be viewed by various faculty and staff members and the
directors of the shows for that semester. You will typically perform two
contrasting one-minute monologues and a song if there is a musical that
semester. Each director will then hold separate callbacks for his or her show.
The department works on a “play-as-cast” basis, meaning you must accept
the role you are assigned.
Following the audition, you will receive a TTP score (Talent, Trainability and
Potential) from each of the performance faculty members.
Mentor system
Upon entering the program, each student will be given a mentor. The mentor
is a member of the teaching staff. It is your responsibility as a student to
schedule appointments with your mentor at least twice a semester to review
your status within the program and ask any questions you may have about
your theatre related experiences or campus experiences. They are there to
help you.
Jury system
Our theatre program is designed to help shape you into a theatre major and
help you achieve success on the track you chose to pursue. In order to do that,
the Jury System was created. Every semester, the student goes through a
Casting Assessment. This assessment serves as the audition for the upcoming
productions and an evaluation of your progress within the program. The
student is scored by the faculty on a scale of 1-5. It is up to you to contact your
mentor to go over these scores. When it comes to the next Casting
Assessment, your mentor and the jury will be able to see your progress. If the
jury sees that you are not making progress, there is the possibility that you
will be placed on probation. During this period, you have until the next
casting assessment to improve. Should you fail to do so, you will be cut from
the program.
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Attendance Policy
For three-hour classes that meet twice a week:
You are allowed three absences before penalty. Your fourth absence will
result in half a letter grade drop, your fifth absence will result in a full letter
grade drop, your sixth absence will result in two full letter grade drops, and
your seventh absence will result in an automatic “F.” Two “tardies” are
equivalent to one absence.
You are allowed to appeal absences with doctor’s notes or other valid
excuses. However, you must account for all of your absences when appealing.
For example, if you are appealing your fourth absence of the semester, you
must account for all three absences prior to that one.
Academic Advisor: Contact Info and Appointments.
The campus is filled with academic advisors who are there to help the
students with registration, academic questions and information. Luckily, we
have our very own academic advisor, Andrew Curry who is here to help you
with not only core academic classes but the required Theatre classes as well.
If you have any questions about how to balance your schedule or what classes
you should take, Andrew would be more than happy to help. It is very
important to set up appointments with him ahead of time. This can be done by
emailing him at amcurry@Central.UH.EDU.
Rehearsal expectations/etiquette
Rehearsals are usually held Monday through Friday from 6:00 - 10:00 pm and
Saturdays for five-hour blocks. Rehearsal times can always change to suit the
director’s needs. Tech rehearsals for mainstage shows consist of “10 out of
12” rehearsals, meaning you will be required to be there ten out of twelve
consecutive hours.
You are expected to arrive on time, be prepared, and be positive and
encouraging to your cast mates and stage management crew.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for sophomores, juniors and seniors. These
scholarships are need-based with department involvement being considered.
Notices will be posted in the green room when applications are available.
TD Net
TD Net is the School of Theatre & Dance’s Internal website. It is a
communication tool that only certain people can access. Once you receive a
username and password, you can check it from any computer.
Our intranet (the Theatre & Dance Net, or TD Net) has two important, useful
features:
Shared documents - Class syllabi, department policies, and other internal
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documents are posted here, instead of our public website.
Forum - This is be a place where we can post info on job/performance
opportunities, show updates, schedule meetings, post class changes, and
anything else that needs to reach a lot of people in the department.
Who's Who in Theatre & Dance
Steven W. Wallace – Director of the School of Theatre & Dance
Performance Area
Jim Johnson – (Head of Performance Area) Associate Professor, Voice, Speech,
and Dialects
Brian Byrnes – (Head of Undergraduate Programs) Associate Professor,
Movement for Actors and Stage Combat
Jackie deMontmollin – Assistant Professor, Theatre Education
Sara Phillips – Assistant Professor, Voice and Shakespeare
Carolyn Houston Boone – Associate Professor, Acting and Directing
Stuart Ostrow – Distinguished Professor of Musical Theatre
Jack Young – (Head of Graduate Acting & Directing) Associate Professor,
Acting and Directing
Production and Design Area
Kevin Rigdon – (Head of Graduate Design) Professor, Scenic and Lighting
Design
Rachel R. Bush – Assistant Professor, Stage Management
Jonathan Middents – Associate Professor, Production & Design
Claremarie Verheyen – Associate Professor, Makeup and Costume History
Paige Willson – Assistant Professor, Costume Technology
Dance Division
Karen Stokes – (Head of Dance Division) Associate Professor, Dance
Teresa Lynn Chapman – Assistant Professor, Dance
Rebecca B. Valls – Assistant Professor, Dance
Playwriting/Dramaturgy
Dr. Robert Shimko – (Coordinator) Assistant Professor, Theatre History &
Dramaturgy
Edward Albee – Distinguished Professor of Theatre, Playwriting
Mark Bly – Distinguished Professor of Theatre, Dramaturgy & Playwriting
Mark Medoff – Distinguished Professor of Theatre, Playwriting
Campus Information:
Where to live
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The campus has many residence halls, all of which are able to accommodate
basic student living needs. Living on or near campus makes it a lot easier for
the student to be around their workspace and cuts down the stress from
commuting. Depending on age you are and what lifestyle you are looking for,
please visit the UH Residents site http://uh.edu/studentlife/housing/index.php. There you will find all of the campus residence halls
and residential fees.
Parking
If you do have a vehicle and you have questions about parking or questions
about transportation around the campus, please visit UH’s Parking and
Transportation site http://www.uh.edu/student-life/parking-transport/. Here
you can start your vehicle registration process or find out how to use the
campus provided shuttle buses.
Campus safety
The University of Houston is relatively safe, and campus police patrol the
campus at all times. However, campus safety is very important and shouldn’t
be taken lightly. Never walk alone; if you can’t find a friend to walk with or a
ride, call a police escort at (713) 734-3333, or 3-3333 on a campus phone. A
policeman will come pick you up and give you a ride.
Cougar card
Your Cougar Card is your access pass to almost anything on the campus.
Never go anywhere without it. For more information on the Cougar Card, visit
http://www.uh.edu/cougar1card/.
Rec center
If you are into fitness and keeping in shape, the Rec Center is definitely a
place you should look into. It is one of UH’s newest buildings and is equipped
with all your fitness needs. Check out their website at
http://www.uh.edu/recreation/Facilities/index.html.
Copy Center
Like a Kinko’s, the Copy Center is there for the student to use for their
copying and printing needs. Located downstairs in the University Center.
Library
MD Anderson Library is the place to go for research, computer labs or just to
find a book you’re interested in reading. Check out their website at
http://www.uh.edu/academics/libraries/.
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Writing Center
Tutoring and writing help is already included in your tuition and fees. Utilize
it! The writing center is located in Agnes Arnold Hall.
Students can schedule 30-minute general writing consultations for any
writing assignment/paper through the Writing Center's online scheduler
<http://www.uh.edu/writecen/Students/Writing-in-Disciplines/wconlineinst
ructions.php>. The "live chat" feature will be available also through
the Writing Center's website for students who have general questions
regarding writing.
http://www.uh.edu/writecen/
Center for students w/ disabilities
If you have any questions about the Center for Students with Disabilities, go to
http://www.uh.edu/csd/
Four-year grad bonus
There is a bonus for you if you complete your degree within four years!!!!
http://www.uh.edu/financial/undergraduate/typesaid/incentives/graduation-pledge/index.php
Houston Info:
Hurricane Info
We all know that hurricanes like Houston, and the beginning of the fall
semester is prime hurricane season! You should have a plan for evacuation
before it’s too late. Plan with your family or friends how you are going to
evacuate in case of a hurricane, especially if you don’t have a car on campus!
The university does a good job of keeping students updated about the status
of the threatening hurricane, and whether or not school will be cancelled via
phone and email.
Theaters
Alley Theater
615 Texas Avenue
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 220-5700
alleytheatre.org
TUTS (Theatre Under the Stars)
800 Bagby #200
Houston, TX 77002
713-558-TUTS (8887)
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www.tuts.com
Houston Ballet
501 Texas Ave
Houston, TX 77019
713-227-2787
www.houstonballet.org
Stages Repertory
3201 Allen Parkway
Houston, TX 77019
713.527.0123
www.stagestheatre.com
Houston Grand Opera
510 Preston St
Houston, TX 77002-1504
(713) 546-0200
www.houstongrandopera.org
Ensemble Theatre
3535 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
713-520-0055
http://www.ensemblehouston.com/
Main Street Theater
Main Street Theater - Rice Village
2540 Times Blvd. Houston, TX 77005
Main Street Theater - Chelsea Market
4617 Montrose Blvd. Houston, TX 77006
713-524-6706
www.mainstreettheater.com
Nova Arts Project
832-545-8778
www.novaartsproject.com
Theatre Lab Houston
1706 Alamo Street
Houston, Texas 77007
713-868-7516
www.theaterlabhouston.com
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Diverseworks
1117 E. Freeway
Houston, Texas 77002
713.223.8346
www.diverseworks.org
AD Players
2710 W. Alabama
Houston, TX 77098
713.526.2721
www.adplayers.org
Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex
2201 Preston Street
Houston, TX 77003
713.529.1819
www.barnevelder.org
Talento Bilingue De Houston
333 S Jensen Dr
Houston, TX 77003-1115
(713) 222-1213
www.tbhcenter.com
Area Restaurants & Grocery
UH is in a great location! You’re never far from great food: We’re 10 minutes
from downtown, 10 minutes from Montrose, 15 minutes from the Village, and 5
minutes from Midtown.
Here are some websites for great Houston cuisine!
http://www.houstonrestaurants.com/
http://www.b4-u-eat.com/
http://www.houston.com/restaurants/
Cheap restaurants:
Vietnamese food, Dominoes, and Wings- Cullen & Scott
Little Caesars- Harrisburg and Wayside
McDonalds- Cullen & Elgin
Jack in the Box- Dumble & Telephone
Real Restaurants:
Katz’s- Westheimer & Stratford
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Kuhn Kay Thai- Montrose & W. Clay
Ninfa’s Mexican- Kirby & Richmond
Cava Bistro- Main & Congress
Black Walnut Café- Rice Village
Grocery Stores in the Area:
Kroger on Cullen Blvd
Kroger Signature- Montrose & Westheimer
HEB- 45 S & Woodridge
HEB, Walgreens, & CVS- Old Spanish Trail & Scott St
The University Center and the UC Satellite are on-campus hubs that are full of
fast food restaurants, convenient stores, televisions, ATMs, and more! Also,
there are several restaurants and food places next to the Welcome Center and
the Rec center.
TheatrePort
www.theatreport.com
Theatre Port is Houston’s online theater resource. It “highlights local theater
news, audition notices, arts events and promotes active debate.”
It is a wonderful resource for actors, directors, technicians and designers in
Houston.
Houston Arts Scene
Being so close to the Montrose, Midtown, downtown and the museum and
theatre districts, there’s never a dull moment in the art scene!
There will always be notices posted in the Green Room (the room with the
vending machines) about plays, musicals, art showings, and dance shows
happening around town. And many of them are free! The Menil Collection and
the Contemporary Art Center are always free.
Check out these websites for events and info:
http://www.houstontheaterdistrict.org/
http://www.cachh.org/ (Houston Arts Alliance)
www.artshound.com
ATMs in Area
University Center
Rec Center
UC Satellite
Scott & Elgin, outside of College Bookstore (drive thru)
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Cell Phone Stores in Area
Verizon, AT&T:
Gulfgate Shopping Center: take 45 S, exit Woodridge, Right on Woodridge
Sprint:
3341 Telephone Rd # 110A
Houston, TX 77023-5400
T-Mobile:
5819 Gulf Fwy Ste 100
Houston, TX 77023-5341
Cricket:
3636 Old Spanish Trl # B
Houston, TX 77021-2457
Car Repair in Area
Elgin Car Care Center
3500 Elgin St
Houston, TX 77004-3625
(713) 655-7441
Advance Auto Parts
909 Telephone Rd
Houston, TX 77023
(713) 514-9951
Atex Auto Technicians
4464 S Macgregor Way
Houston, TX 77021
(713) 747-7732
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