A Theatre Arts Minor Offers Many Facets to One's Education

The theatre minor is a fluid program with an aggressive performance schedule that affords students the opportunity for intensive involvement in all aspects of theatrical production. Students intending to go on to graduate school, desiring to pursue a career in theatre, or merely hoping to stay active in theatre as they move into another vocation, will all find a supportive environment.

The Theatre Program has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade, garnering extensive critical praise along the way. All of these accomplishments pale, however, when compared to the Fall 2004 opening of the Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory. This state of the arts performance facility has ushered in a new era for music, dance, and theatre at Westminster. A mainstage theatre, blackbox theatre, concert hall, recording studio, fully equipped scenic and costume shops and storage, rehearsal and practice rooms -- you name it, we have it.

Michael and Nina Vought are from Hawaii. It is no wonder, then, that they list surfing and swimming with turtles and dolphins among their hobbies. The Vought's spend their summers in Hawaii and lead an artistic retreat in the Islands during Westminster's May Term.

Michael Vought, the director of Westminster's Theatre Program has always viewed theatre as an analogy for life. "The qualities that you learn on stage," claims Dr. Vought, "are important in every area of life. Dealing with diversity, thinking in a non-linear manner, meeting deadlines, taking risks, depending on others, and learning to deal with both praise and criticism, are all part of the educational process. For this reason, students aspiring to be nurses, teachers, or C.E.O.s can learn as much from theatre classes as actors, directors or stage managers."

The theatre program has a reputation as a fun yet demanding course of study. Theatre students are expected to maintain a strong GPA and, therefore, must be among the most organized students on campus. "After all," quips Theatre Director Michael Vought, "ninety-five percent correct on a test is great. If you only have ninety-five percent of your lines, it is a disaster." According to Dr. Vought, "We ask a lot of our students, but we try to give a lot back as well. That's how theatre works."

The Westminster Theatre Program is small, but quite strong. For the student, this means that there are ample opportunities to work on or behind stage and to quickly build a resume. Unlike many larger programs, first-year students often land roles in mainstage productions.

It has been stated that the greatest challenge in academic theatre is that we seek to mount professional productions while working with students who have not yet attained a professional status. At Westminster we see this as an asset. We train our actors to approach their art in a professional manner while unabashedly capitalizing on the tremendous energy and zeal that youth and inexperience affords. We believe that this gives our shows an edge that even professional companies can't touch. Without a doubt, our greatest asset is our students.