Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many productions do you do a year?
Usually four. One is usually a musical, or a play with a significant amount of music in it. One is usually a performance lab, a course designed for upper class theatre arts majors to explore specific areas of craft. Auditions for this course are by invitation only, but other productions are open to all students. It is also normal that one production slot is made available to student directors who are enrolled in courses in directing. Often there is an interactive theatre performance, such as Playback Theatre, an interactive and improvisational approach to story theatre.
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2. What kinds of shows do you present?
They vary through genre from year to year. The faculty tries to assess student needs and desires, and craft a season of plays accordingly. Our 2008-2009 season was Karen Hartman’s TROY WOMEN based on the Euripides play TROJAN WOMEN, a British Panto version of SNOW WHITE AND THE 7 DWARFS, Peter Shafer’s AMADEUS, and a comedy by Craig Lucas called RECKLESS. 2009-2010 will bring Richard O’Brien’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, an interactive theatre piece developed in the style of PLAYBACK THEATRE, a British Panto version of ROBIN HOOD,– BLOOD WEDDING by Garcia Lorca , student directed scenes, and VANITIES by Jack Heifner.
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3. What’s the difference between a degree in Theatre Arts from a Liberal Arts college and a degree from other University systems?
In order to be well-rounded theatre artists, we must understand the world around us. Theatre is a reflection of life. It encompasses the performing arts, visual art (sets, costumes), science and technology (lighting, sound and design), historical research (the Greeks, the Renaissance, and more), literary analysis (Shakespeare, Kabuki, and more), group dynamics, interactive process and interpersonal communication(therapeutic theatre, community-based theatre), business and economics (management), and more. Larger university systems need to focus on more conservatory style training which prepares the student for work in a specific area of theatre arts. McDaniel College’s Theatre Arts Department focuses on teaching the student in a holistic fashion. Majors are expected to take at least one course in every area of emphasis. Within the major, students choose a primary and secondary focus area from acting, interactive theatre and production.
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4. What options for study are available in Theatre Arts?
The program offers a major, four dual majors and three minors. Within the major, students can design a program that emphasizes acting, interactive theatre, or production. Each major also chooses a secondary area of focus. Dual majors are offered with English, Music and Communication. The English dual major emphasizes theatre history and literature, and is a good preparation for graduate studies, teaching and dramaturgy. The Music dual major takes a holistic approach to both Theatre and Music, but focuses on musical theatre performance. Two dual majors are offered in Communication. The dual major in Interpersonal Communication and Interactive Theatre prepares students to work with groups in social, community, and institutional settings. The dual major in Theatre, Film and Video Production prepares students for work and further study in dramatic storytelling in a variety of media. Students majoring in other areas may minor in theatre arts, acting or interactive theatre. Our program is small and individualized. About 10 students graduate each year with one of our majors.
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5. I like theatre, but plan to major in something else. Can I still take classes and do shows?
You bet! Many of our students take a few classes, work backstage, design, audition for and are a part of the productions, and even become members of ALPHA PSI OMEGA (the theatre arts co-ed honors fraternity) without majoring in theatre. Many end up with a minor in theatre arts, acting, or interactive theatre; or with one of our dual majors in Theatre-Communication, Theatre-Music, or Theatre-English. Many music students participate in our Musical Theatre productions, both in the orchestra and on stage.
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6. Can I be active in theatre and be involved in sports?
Being heavily involved in an extra curricular sports team and in productions will certainly put a heavy strain on your time, but it’s possible. It takes good time-management skills, and a willingness to sacrifice one for the other on occasion. For example, one could play spring baseball, and forgo fall ball to be involved with more theatre during that time.
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7. What are your graduates doing now?
Working in the theatre, related fields, and elsewhere. A few examples: Steve Parsons is a free lance set designer; Rob McQuay is a pastor, and still performs professionally as an Equity actor in the DC area; Julie-Ann Elliott is Equity actress who recently received critical acclaim in Olney Theatre’s THE MILLIONAIRESS; Josh Selzer is an Equity Stage Manager, and serves is the Arts Manager here at McDaniel; Steve Zumbrun is a free lance musical director, and performed in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH; Denise Umland is a free lance costume designer; Tony Rosas is the tech director at Towson University; Dan Franko is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and has been featured on the television shows The West Wing, The Jersey, The Wire and America's Most Wanted; Colin Forman is a freelance actor working in film and television in NY; Jon Reynolds performed Ariel in THE TEMPEST for Washington Shakespeare Company; Kelly Dunnavant completed his MFA in Technical Theatre from SUNY Purchase and is the tech director at the Shakespeare Theatre in DC; Albert Perio III performed at Totem Pole Playhouse in PROPOSALS. Jeff Goeller role of MacHeath in THE THREEPENNY OPERA at Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre in Frederick MD. Tony Cimino completed the graduate program for Drama Therapy at NYU, and is teaching both at McDaniel College and Liberty High School. Chris De Rose is training with Second City, Melvina Coker is a technician at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, Matt Weese is working for PAR LIGHTS, Jessica Behar is participating in Playback Theatre, The Shakespeare Factory, and is enrolled in the graduate education program at Towson, and recent grad Peter M. Kendall appeared in TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE at Center Stage in Baltimore.
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8. What Theatre course(es) should I take my first semester if I plan to major or minor in Theatre Arts?
You’ll want to take one of the three entry level core courses in theatre: THE 1111 Stagecraft, THE 1113 Acting, or THE 1117 Group Process in Interactive Theatre. All three are required for the major, but you should start with one during your first semester. If you are considering a dual major with Communication or Music, consider also taking an introductory course in that field. Speak with your First Year advisor, or contact one of the Theatre Faculty (listed below) to get more information.
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9. Who do I contact on the faculty for more information?
Feel free to call or e-mail any of us. Our specific areas of expertise are listed so as to help you decide who best to contact.
Ira Domser, Professor of Theatre Arts. Areas: Design and Technical Theatre, Theatre Management.
idomser@mcdaniel.edu
(410)857-2592
Ron Miller, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, (sabbatical 2008). Areas: Interactive Theatre, Drama Therapy, Community-based Theatre, Acting Styles, Performance Theory.
rmiller@mcaniel.edu
(410)857-2440
Elizabeth van den Berg, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, Department Chair. Areas: Acting, Directing, Voice and Movement, Musical Theatre.
evandenb@mcdaniel.edu
(410)857-2591
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