Department of Theatre Arts and Dance

Department Information

Department Chair: Kay Andersen
South Hall 202 ~ (435) 865-8503
andersen_k@suu.edu

Department Associate Chair: Brian Swanson
South Hall 203 ~ (435) 865-8674
swanson@suu.edu

Administrative Assistant: Jacque Marchant
South Hall 201 ~ (435) 586-7746
marchantj@suu.edu

Academic Advisor: Stephen Wagner
ST 204I ~ (435) 586-5420
stephenwagner@suu.edu

Faculty: Professors: Kay Andersen, Richard Dean Bugg
Associate Professors: Shauna Mendini, Wendy Sanders, Peter Sham, Brian Swanson
Assistant Professors: Brian Beacom, Megan Brunsvold, Scott Knowles, Patricia Meredith, Denise Purvis, J.D. Sargent, Melinda Vaughn

Adjunct Faculty: www.suu.edu/pva/ta/faculty.html

Staff: Costume Shop Supervisor: Erica Anderson; Scene Shop Supervisor/Assistant Technical Director: Kyle Cook; Electrics/Sound Supervisor: Heather Reynolds

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre

Classical Acting Emphasis
Musical Theatre Emphasis
Theatre Design & Technology Emphasis

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science

Theatre Arts
Theatre Arts, B.A
Theatre Arts, B.S.
Theatre Arts - Secondary Theatre Education, B.A.
Theatre Arts - Secondary Theatre Education, B.S.

Dance
Dance Performance, B.A.
Dance Performance, B.S.
Dance Education, B.A.
Dance Education, B.S.

Minors

Theatre Arts
Dance Performance
Shakespeare Studies

Licensure

Secondary Teaching License in Theatre Arts Education
Secondary Teaching License in Dance Education
Secondary Teaching License in Dance Education with a K-6 Endorsement

Accreditation

Southern Utah University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)

Overview of Programs

Our students in Southern Utah University’s Department of Theatre Arts and Dance perform, choreograph, design, create, invent, dance, act and stage manage - and stretch themselves creatively and scholastically by incorporating their comprehensive training and experience in all aspects of the live arts. SUU is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD). The Theatre Arts and Dance program gives students the opportunity to work alongside professionals in mainstage dance and theatre productions, as well as the Utah Shakespeare Festival, recipient of the 2000 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Students have the opportunity to create and perform their own work in Second Studio and the Orchesis Modern Dance Company. Student work has been selected for the Gala Concert at Regional American College Dance Festivals, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Our internationally active professionals are at the top of their respective fields. Their talent and expertise provide our students with the required foundation for entry into professional entertainment, graduate studies and other educational fields.

Mission

Our mission is to provide a nurturing and challenging educational environment through a rich diversity of theatre and dance disciplines, techniques, technologies and productions. Central to our focus as a department is superior teaching and personalized mentoring; our classroom encompasses the studio, the stage, and the technical laboratory.

Department Goal Statement

The goal of the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance is to:

Foster academic excellence through development of programs that meet national standards
Promote quality personnel with expertise in their areas of teaching
Enhance the cultural and aesthetic experience of our campus, community and region through quality productions, leadership, and service learning
Embrace a standard of artistic excellence, which is enhanced by a strong professional link with the internationally recognized Utah Shakespeare Festival
Create widespread visibility through our active participation with the ACDA, KCACTF, USITT, URTA, ATHE, UTA and other professional/educational organizations
Prepare students for successful transfer to graduate or conservatory programs or to pursue professional careers in the theatre and dance performance, theatre and dance education or allied fields

Department/Program Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Comprehend how the techniques and practices of theatre arts and dance are used for creative thought and artistic expression
Execute basic production processes in the areas of acting, dance, stage direction, choreography, design, and the necessary technical operations related to production.
Acquire knowledge of diverse historical and multi-cultural dimensions and traditions of theatre arts and dance.
Formulate assessments of quality, both creatively and critically, in works of theatre, dance and other related art forms.