Theatre Department

Associate Professors: K. Hartshorn (chairperson), S. Mefferd Kelty
Assistant Professor: E. Guay
Instructional Support: M. Barber
Technical Support: B. Wright
Adjunct Faculty: Four positions

The Theatre Department at SUNY Plattsburgh endeavors to provide students with the necessary skills to succeed academically, professionally, and personally. Through our commitment to a strong liberal arts curriculum and production work, our program fosters critical thinking, effective communication, problem solving, collaboration, and creative process. Our productions afford vibrant artistic and cultural enrichment to our campus and regional communities by facilitating a deeper understanding and appreciation of the arts. Our curriculum helps students develop a broad understanding of human knowledge and focus on the disciplined training, history, literature, production, and professionalism of the theatre. This approach allows the Theatre department to foster well-rounded, prepared, responsible, and enthusiastic artist-scholars and global citizens.

The department offers a B.A. in theatre and a theatre minor. The theatre major (50 credits), as an interdisciplinary art, allows students to combine theatre studies with other disciplines on campus. Theatre majors can expect a rich curriculum that examines all aspects of the art of theatre: performance, directing, design, technical production, dramatic literature, dramaturgy, and theatre history and criticism. The purpose is to present a comprehensive view of theatre, its evolution and the intersections of its theory and practice that engage students in practical applications and creative problem solving.

Our comprehensive B.A. program allows students to graduate with a traditional liberal arts theatre degree or the option of pursuing graduate school or professional training programs. The theatre minor (19 credits) allows students to develop a solid understanding of theatre through an organized program of study that highlights the foundational elements of our art. Both the theatre major and minor provides students not only with theatre skills and knowledge, but also effective communication skills, analytical reasoning, and most importantly, critical, creative and collaborative thinking.

Theatre students are encouraged to participate in summer theatre internships and apprenticeship opportunities as a part of their training program and degree completion. Summer theatre work is a vital opportunity for theatre majors to further develop their skills, experience, and connections to theatre professionals and organizations.

The SUNY Plattsburgh campus and community provide a good environment for the development of theatre interests. The department and student theatre organizations provide several opportunities throughout the year for participating or attending theatre events. The department produces three fully-staged productions every year as well as a series of staged-reading opportunities. The Theatre department also offers a fall study-away course (THE 480 ) on the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada. Plattsburgh is in proximity to a wide variety of professional theatres including the Centaur Theatre, Segal Centre, Place des Arts, Vermont Stage Company, St. Michael’s College, Pendragon Theatre, and the Depot Theatre as well as several local community theatre and arts organizations.

Programs

Majors (Undergraduate)

Theatre, B.A.

Minors (Undergraduate)