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Theatre: Stage Management

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES

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Undergraduate Admission

(440) 826-2222, (877) BW-APPLY, admission@bw.edu

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OVERVIEW

Transforming a script into a dramatic expression of art that is well orchestrated in design, technical operation and supervision of talent and staff is at the core of theatre stage management.

At BW, you'll gain insights and skills for effective theatre stage management. Real world-focused, the major is a comprehensive study that encompasses theoretical, practical, artistic and technical skill-building.

It integrates extensive hands-on learning with rigorous coursework. You'll build skills in leadership, stage operations, scenic design, script analysis, lighting, acting and more.

Foundation courses in literature, history, performance, technical and collaborative studies help you develop analytical skills and insights into professional theatre.

Small class sizes, individual attention and faculty mentoring are at the core of the program. You'll be encouraged to participate in professional apprenticeship opportunities nationally and abroad.

BW faculty are practicing professionals with contacts at Cleveland's Great Lakes Theater, Cleveland Public Theatre, Beck Center for the Arts and Dobama Theatre, as well as Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.

Through these opportunities, you'll gain experience, earn Equity points, network and build an impressive resume.

With both proscenium and black box theatres, BW offers traditional and contemporary audience settings that provide a variety of learning environments, including theatre in-the-round, thrust staging and more.

  • Romeo and Juliet

    "Romeo and Juliet" - Fall 2014

    You will work on both large-scale period productions and small-scale contemporary pieces in BW's proscenium and black box theatres.

  • Stage management student

    Experiential Learning

    Experiential learning is a hallmark of the stage management program. Theatre productions, internships and professional apprenticeships provide opportunities to gain experience, earn Equity points and network with professionals.

  • "Enchanted April" at Baldwin Wallace University 2016

    "Enchanted April" - Spring 2016

    You will develop hands-on, practical experience in scenic painting, set and costume construction, lighting design and stage management with each production.

  • "All Shook Up" at Baldwin Wallace University 2015

    "All Shook Up" - Fall 2015

    Faculty mentoring is at the core of the program. You will work alongside faculty members - all practicing professionals in the field - in all aspects of production, including directing, choreography, design and construction.

  • Angels in America

    "Angels in America" - Fall 2015

    Baldwin Wallace's theatre and dance department produces two main stage productions and a series of one-acts each semester. Productions include musicals, operas, plays and a dance concert. BW is one of the few theatre producers to tackle both parts of Tony Kushner's Pulitzer-Prize-winning American classic.

  • "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" at Baldwin Wallace 2015

    "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" - Spring 2015

    You will work alongside directors throughout the production process - from audition through closing performance - gaining real-world experience and building an impressive resume.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Director
  • Critic
  • Theatre manager
  • Stage manager
  • Playwright
  • Casting or talent agent
  • Dramaturg

FOUR SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS OF STUDY

At BW, theatre majors can focus their studies in acting and directing, dance and movement, design and technical and stage management. All programs include a solid foundation of courses designed to give students a comprehensive overview of theatre.

STUDY THEATRE IN LONDON

Heighten your understanding and appreciation of British theatre through a study abroad experience. The program is a three-week, credit-earning immersion course in British theatre that includes a nine-day trip to London. It is led by BW theatre faculty.

CURRICULUM

Offered as a major and a minor, theatre offers four programs of study: acting and directing, dance and movement, design and technical and stage management. BW also offers a major in music theatre through its Conservatory of Music and a BFA in acting.

The theatre major provides a broad perspective of the literature, history and creative practices of the discipline. Courses prepare students to appreciate and participate in theatre at all levels of performance, production, direction, design and management.

You can study acting, directing, voice and movement, scenic and costume design, lighting, stage management, theatre history and more. You also can take special seminars in contemporary topics.

The theatre major prepares students to:

  • Develop an awareness and appreciation of theatre and/or dance as art forms and as a vital asset to society
  • Acquire competency in their chosen area of study
  • Acquire an understanding of the history of the theatre and/or dance including its literature and criticism
  • Develop responsible standards of criticism regarding the aesthetics of theatre and/or dance
  • Develop research skills/techniques applicable to scholarly and/or production needs
  • Develop an understanding of the collaborative nature of theatre and/or dance by active participation in production work within the program
Course Catalog

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Experiential learning bridges classroom study with real-world opportunities. You can enhance your studies through theatre productions, internships, co-curricular activities and student organizations.

Student Organizations

Theatre Arts and Performance

This organization supports student theatre artists and those interested in theatre on campus. It informs students of events and opportunities in theatre, maintains an open forum for student ideas and projects, and raises awareness of on- and off-campus theatrical events.

United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)

The BW student chapter of USITT is committed to strengthening the skills of technical theatre students while carrying out the mission of the national organization. USITT serves to create vibrant dialogue among practitioners, educators and students.

Facilities

The Department of Theatre and Dance is located in Kleist Center for Art & Drama. It houses two theatres: Mainstage Theatre and Black Box Theatre.

The Mainstage Theatre is a large 512-seat proscenium theatre. The stage has a 67-foot fly loft with a counterweight system. The stage opening is 44' by 24' with an extended 15-foot apron, ample wings and depth measuring 30 feet. This facility also boasts a new lighting system installed by ETC. With over 200 dimmers, lights are operated on an Emphasis board including a WYSIWYG program.

The Black Box Theatre is a smaller, flexible theatre with seating between 100-250. This unique studio space is intended to provide a variety of seating arrangements, including proscenium, three-quarter-thrust and in-the-round. The theatre has a balcony around three sides and a lighting grid 23 feet above the stage floor. This space also boasts a new Strand Century Lighting system with a 520 series light board.

Off-Campus Experiences

Baldwin Wallace's close proximity to Cleveland and its nationally ranked arts organizations offers outstanding learning and performance opportunities. BW students worked with many of them, including:

ALUMNI SUCCESS

At Baldwin Wallace, you'll experience personal and professional growth in a supportive community that challenges and inspires you to succeed.

Recent BW theatre stage management majors are finding their success in a variety of careers and studying in top graduate programs.

Dayne SundmanDayne Sundman '15 is stage management fellow at Arena Stage in Washington D.C. The practical insights and personal connections of his BW professors - all active in the professional theatre scene - helped Dayne launch a career with one of the country's top regional theatres. He is from Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Dane UrbanDane Urban '11 is resident assistant stage manager at Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts. He recently opened his sixth Broadway show. He has also worked as assistant stage manager and production assistant in a number of Off Broadway productions. Dane is from Medina, Ohio.

FACULTY

Jeff Herrmann

Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance
M.F.A, Southern Illinois University

Jeff Herrmann

David Alford

Visiting Assistant Professor of Acting
Diploma, The Juilliard School

David Alford

Tesia Benson

Design and Technical Program Coordinator
M.F.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Tesia Benson

Victoria Bussert

Director, Music Theatre Program
M.F.A., Northwestern University

Victoria Bussert

René Copeland

Assistant Professor
M.F.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro

René Copeland

Gregory Daniels

Dance Program Coordinator
A.A.S., Onondaga Community College in Business

Gregory Daniels

Maya Michele Fein

Associate Professor
M.F.A. & Teaching Certificate, Northwestern University

Maya Michele Fein

Matt Koenig

Assistant Professor of Acting
M.F.A. in Acting, University of California, Irvine

Matt Koenig

Andy Nogasky

Associate Professor of Acting
M.F.A., Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University

Andy Nogasky

Lisa Ortenzi

Lecturer
M.A., Roosevelt University Chicago College of Performing Arts

Lisa Ortenzi

Annika Sheaff

Associate Professor of Dance
B.F.A., The Juilliard School

Annika Sheaff

Sara Whale

Assistant Professor of Dance
B.F.A. Pacific Northwest College of Art

Sara Whale

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE

(440) 826-2239, theatre@bw.edu

Jeff Herrmann
Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance
Professor

Full-Time Acting Faculty

David Alford
Visiting Assistant Professor
Acting

Victoria Bussert
Director, Music Theatre Program
Professor of Theatre

René Copeland
Assistant Professor
Directing Program Coordinator

Matt Koenig
Assistant Professor
Acting

Keira Lea McDonald
Associate Professor
Movement Specialist

Andrew Nogasky
Associate Professor
Acting

Full-Time Dance Faculty

Gregory Daniels
Associate Professor
Dance Program Coordinator
Jazz, Tap

Annika Sheaff
Associate Professor
Ballet, Modern Dance

Sara Whale
Assistant Professor
Ballet, Modern, Improv, Choreography

Full-Time Design/Tech Faculty

Tesia Benson
Associate Professor
Design and Technical Program Coordinator

Maya Fein
Associate Professor
Lighting Design

Jeff Herrmann
Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance
Professor

Stephanie Orr
Assistant Professor
Costume Technology

Adjunct Faculty

Laura Welsh Berg
Lecturer, Acting
M.F.A., DePaul University

Melanie Boeman
Lecturer
Costume Shop Manager

Jessie Cope-Miller
Visiting Assistant Professor
Acting

Martin Friedman
Lecturer
Theatre Literature

Dylan Fujimura
Lecturer
Technical Director

Tracy Grady
Area Coordinator, Music Theatre
Lecturer
Singing for Actors, Voice

Jennifer Hitmar-Shankland
Lecturer

Chistina Lindhout
Lecturer
Dance

Lisa Ortenzi
Lecturer
Creative Dramatics

Josh Padgett
Lecturer
Assistant Technical Director

Dusten Welch
Lecturer
Resident Fight Director, Stage Combat

Staff

Jack-Anthony Ina
Interim Production Coordinator

Shelly Taylor
Administrative Assistant