theater arts

Philosophy

Theatre is a collaborative art form that combines words, voice, movement, and visual elements to express meaning. Theatre is the examination and resolution of fundamental human issues, and is built on understanding and presenting interactions between people.

The broad, worldwide base of theatrical literature ranges from classical forms, such as Japanese Kabuki and Shakespeare, to folk forms, such as traditional puppetry, to contemporary forms, such as animated cartoons and movies. Quality theatre education is similarly broad-based, extending beyond the teaching of acting to develop students’ abilities in areas ranging from technical theatre to directing, and from researching the historical context of repertoire to creating their own scripted or improvised works.

            Theatre arts provide a balance among verbal, analytical, and intuitive experiences, while promoting an awareness and appreciation of cultural and historical diversity. The act of making theatre fosters creative thinking, problem solving, self-awareness, self-esteem, independence, and imagination. Theatre broadens the range of possible career opportunities. Academic preparation in theatre arts enables students to understand and participate fully in theatre, and to make informed aesthetic choices throughout their lives.

            Theatre arts teach the importance of the disciplined individual contributing to the effort of the group. By understanding and expressing life experiences, theatre arts students understand themselves and others more deeply.