Theatre: Stage Management Major | Baldwin Wallace University

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" - Fall 2014
You will work on both large-scale period productions and small-scale contemporary pieces in BW's proscenium and black box theatres.
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" - 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" - 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" - 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" - 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.

Theatre Productions

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.

Mainstage Series 2019-2020

KINKY BOOTS

Co-production with
BW Music Theatre
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Music and Lyrics by
Cyndi Lauper
Directed by Victoria Bussert
November 12-24

UNCLE VANYA
By Anton Chekov
Directed by Brennan Murphy
January 22-26

fyoo zh en 20
The Body Politic
of the Beautiful
Based on the research of
Dr. Ana de Freitas Boe
Directed by Sara Whale
February 12-15

DRACULA
By Stephen Dietz
Directed by Scott Plate
April 22-26

Studio Series 2019-2020

THE LAST DAYS OF
JUDAS ISCARIOT
By Stephen Adly Guirgis
Directed by Nathan Motta
October 23-26

ANTIGONE
(adaptation TBA)
Directed by Keira McDonald
March 25-28

Lab Series 2019-2020

TESTING GROUND
Marginalia: Interplay with Poe
Directed by Sara Whale
October 31-November 2

DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE
By Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Maria Maggard
November 14-16

PAINTING VINCENT
Written & Directed by Shane Thatcher
January 23-25

TESTING GROUND
Dance Works in Progress
Directed by Sara Whale
April 29

10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVALS
December 10
May 5

Staged Readings 2019-2020

THE HEIDI CHRONICLES
By Wendy Wasserstein
Directed by Martin Friedman
September 20-21

2nd reading to be announced
Directed by Martin Friedman
March 20-21

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

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:

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE

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

Full-Time Faculty

Scott Plate
Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance
Directing Program Coordinator
Associate Professor
Acting, Directing, On Camera

Tesia Benson
Assistant Professor
Make-up, Costume Construction

Beth Burrier
Music Theatre Music Director & Area Coordinator, Music Theatre
Associate Professor of Music Theatre

Victoria Bussert
Director, Music Theatre Program
Professor of Theatre

Gregory Daniels
Coordinator, Dance Program
Associate Professor of Dance
Jazz, Tap

Anjanette Hall
BFA in Acting Program Coordinator
Assistant Professor

Les Hunter
Associate Professor
Playwriting, Script Analysis, Screenwriting

Keira Lea McDonald
Associate Profesor

Brennan Murphy
BFA in Acting Program Coordinator
Associate Professor
Acting, Voice

Annika Sheaff
Assistant Professor
Ballet, Modern Dance

David Allen Stoughton
Assistant Professor

Sara Whale
Assistant Professor
Ballet, Modern, Improv, Choreography

Charlotte Yetman
Costume Design Program Coordinator
Professor

Adjunct Faculty

Laura Welsh Berg
Lecturer
Acting

Melanie Boeman
Lecturer
Costume Shop Manager

Pamela Decker
Lecturer
Theatre History, Dramaturgy, Script Analysis

Martin Friedman
Lecturer
Script Analysis, Intro to Theatre

Dylan Fujimura
Lecturer
Technical Director

Shannon B. Fujimura
Lecturer
B.F.A., Kent State University

Fred Gloor
Lecturer
Improvisation, Intro to Theatre

Heidi Glynias
Lecturer
Dance

Tracy Grady
Lecturer
Singing for Actors, Voice

Todd Krispinsky
Lecturer
Theatre Management

Christine McBurney
Lecturer

Lisa Ortenzi
Lecturer
Creative Dramatics

Corrie Purdum
Lecturer
Stage Management

Pandora Robertson
Lecturer
Movement, Devised Theatre

Kelly Smith
Lecturer
Acting

Bob Taylor
Lecturer
Theatre Seminar in London

Dusten Welch
Lecturer
Resident Fight Director, Stage Combat

Staff

Yolanda Kennedy
Office Manager

Josh Padgett
Assistant Technical Director

Theatre: Stage Management

Undergraduate Admission

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OVERVIEW

"Romeo and Juliet" - Fall 2014

Experiential Learning

"Enchanted April" - Spring 2016

"All Shook Up" - Fall 2015

"Angels in America" - Fall 2015

"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" - Spring 2015