{"id":143,"date":"2012-06-04T14:23:08","date_gmt":"2012-06-04T14:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/ugrad2627252624251213\/svpa\/programs\/theatre-arts\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T15:05:56","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T19:05:56","slug":"theatre-arts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/ugrad\/svpa\/programs\/theatre-arts\/","title":{"rendered":"Theatre Arts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr. Justin P. Cowan,\u00a0Chair
\n<\/em><\/strong>cowanj@wcsu.edu<\/a>
\nVPA 239A,\u00a0Westside campus
\n(203) 837-8476<\/p>\n

Joni Johns Lerner,\u00a0Associate Chair<\/em><\/strong>
\nlernerj@wcsu.edu<\/a>
\nVPA 239B, Westside campus
\n(203) 837-3984<\/p>\n

Heather Hurley,\u00a0Department Secretary<\/em><\/strong>
\nheatherh@wcsu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

VPA 239, Westside campus
\n(203) 837-8404
\n(203) 837-8912 (fax)<\/p>\n


\nFaculty<\/span><\/u><\/h3>\n

Cowan, Chair,\u00a0<\/strong>Musicianship, MT Rep, MT History, Musical Director, Director
\nJ. Johns-Lerner,<\/strong> Associate Chair<\/strong>, Costume Design, Costume Technology, Costume History
\nD. Gagnon, <\/strong>Theatre History, MT History, Play Struct. & Analysis, Senior Portfolio, Dramaturgy
\nT. Howard, <\/strong>BFA Musical Theatre Coordinator, MT Workshop, Audition Techniques, Director
\nP. McDaniel,<\/strong>\u00a0BFA Acting Coordinator, Directing, Acting, Performing Shakespeare, Acting II, III
\nS. Trapani,<\/strong>\u00a0Acting, Directing, Devised Theatre, Theatre History, Director
\nO. Wason,<\/strong>\u00a0BFA Design\/Tech Coordinator, Lighting Design, Design Fund., Technical Theatre<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Full-Time Staff<\/u><\/h3>\n

Tom Swetz, <\/strong>Theatre Arts Production Coordinator<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adjunct Faculty<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Evan Anderson,<\/strong>\u00a0Lighting Design
\nMichael Bartoli,<\/strong>\u00a0Acting, Voice and Diction
\nGabriel Bennett,<\/strong>\u00a0Sound Design
\nChris Bolan,<\/strong>\u00a0Acting, Voice and Diction, Audition Techniques
\nJohn<\/strong> Bonanni<\/strong>, BFA Stage Management Coordinator
\nDonna Baldwin-Bradby<\/strong>,\u00a0Director, Social Issues and Justice in Theatre
\nClifton Chadick<\/strong>,\u00a0Scenic Design, Computer Drafting
\nDanielle DeLaFuente<\/strong>, Scenic Design
\nAnthony DePoto<\/strong>,\u00a0Acting, Playmaking with Children, Directing
\nArielle<\/strong> Edwards<\/strong>, Sound Design
\nCameron Filepas,<\/strong> Lighting Design
\nPhillip George, <\/strong>Scene into Song
\nKevin Geraghty,<\/strong>\u00a0Video Production
\nKori Hansen,<\/strong>\u00a0Production Lab Supervision, Technical Coordinator
\nJohn Hickok,<\/strong>\u00a0Performance Techniques, Acting, Meisner
\nAndrew Levine,<\/strong>\u00a0Theatre Management
\nAnnie G. Levy,<\/strong> Directing
\nMary Ann Lamb, <\/strong>Musical Theatre Dance
\nRobin McGee,<\/strong> Stage Makeup, Costume Design
\nJan Mason,<\/strong>\u00a0Intro to Theatre Arts
\nMatt Newton,<\/strong>\u00a0Acting for the Camera
\nMegan Osterhaus,<\/strong>\u00a0Applied Voice
\nElizabeth Parkinson,<\/strong>\u00a0Musical Theatre Dance, Choreography
\nBrenda Phelps, <\/strong>Costume Technology, Stage Makeup
\nAmy Piantaggini,<\/strong> Musical Theatre Dance
\nJeremy Powell,<\/strong>\u00a0Applied Voice
\nJanelle Robinson,<\/strong>\u00a0Applied Voice
\nDonna Rendely Peeler,<\/strong>\u00a0MT Repertoire, Musical Director
\nDavid Sexton,<\/strong>\u00a0Lighting Design
\nKiyoshi Shaw,<\/strong> Costume Design
\nCheyenne Sykes,<\/strong> Lighting Design
\nJennifer Turey,<\/strong>\u00a0Choreographer
\nScott Wise, <\/strong>Choreography, Tap<\/p>\n

University Assistants<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Colleen Callahan, <\/strong>Props Coordinator
\nHilary Oak, <\/strong>Costume Shop Supervisor
\nBen Warner, <\/strong>University Assistant
\nZach Anderson, <\/strong>Pianist\/Musical Theatre Coach
\nSarah Fay, <\/strong>Pianist\/Musical Theatre Coach
\nSarah Fox, <\/strong>Pianist\/Musical Theatre Coach
\nAnn Gerschefski, <\/strong>Pianist\/Musical Theatre Coach<\/p>\n

VPA Support Staff<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Chris Farell, <\/strong>Piano Technician
\nEric Gomez, <\/strong>SVPA Events Coordinator
\nKori Hansen,<\/strong>\u00a0Technical Coordinator
\nChip Machokas,<\/strong>\u00a0Audio and IT Coordinator<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Overview<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Our NAST-accredited Department of Theatre Arts provides a strong professional training approach to the study of the art and craft of theatre. Students who pursue a\u00a0BFA in Theatre Arts\u00a0prepare for a myriad of professional careers as they relate to the student\u2019s personal interests in\u00a0Acting,\u00a0Design\/Technology, or\u00a0Stage Management\u00a0through our specialized and rigorous curriculum. Students pursuing a\u00a0BFA in Musical Theatre\u00a0prepare for professional performance careers through the BFA program\u2019s intensive curriculum and training. For students interested in a broader\/liberal arts theatre education, the\u00a0BA in Theatre Arts\u00a0program is the perfect place for a more expansive, less specialized, approach. \u00a0While there is no audition or interview process for the BA in Theatre Arts Degree, the BFA in Musical Theatre degree, as well as all concentrations within the BFA in Theatre Arts degree do require an in-person audition\/interview for admittance into those programs.<\/p>\n

The WCSU Department of Theatre Arts produces six MainStage productions every year in our state of the art, 98-million dollar\u00a0Visual and Performing Arts Center. \u00a0Our productions include both musicals and traditional plays, and range in style and genre from classic to contemporary. \u00a0All students in our department, regardless of degree program, are heavily involved in all aspects of these productions. \u00a0Whether performing on stage, building scenery, hanging lights, running sound, contributing to dramaturgical research, or stitching costumes\u2026upon graduation, our students will have had hands-on experience in multiple areas of production. \u00a0 Our students leave WCSU not only well-equipped with a plethora of skills in a diverse and expansive array of theatrical disciplines.<\/p>\n

Our proximity to NYC (one hour to midtown Manhattan) gives us a unique opportunity to make excellent use of its vast resources, including hiring well-known casting directors & agents for our annual Senior Showcase, Broadway choreographers for our staged productions, and various guest artists for master classes. Many faculty members have worked extensively in the Broadway and TV community, and have received Tony, Drama Desk and Emmy awards. The\u00a0theatre faculty\u00a0also maintains close ties with professional organizations, activities, and research facilities within the greater tri-state area. Opportunities such as professional training workshops and performances by guest artists are regularly planned to introduce students to the professional environment through these connections.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the Theatre Arts Department at WCSU has participated in The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), and has received many top national awards from the festival. Design\/Technology students also have the opportunity to attend the national USITT conference annually, gaining access to the latest technology being developed specifically for the stage. \u00a0Keeping our students up to date on the latest technology and trends is something for which we as a department take great pride.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mission<\/u><\/h3>\n

The theatre department keeps consistent with the university\u2019s mission to serve as an accessible and responsive intellectual resource for the people and institutions of Connecticut. The department provides a thorough, modern education in the theory, skills and technology of theatre production and performance that is tailored to the individual student\u2019s background and career objectives.<\/p>\n

The department believes in fostering a diverse student environment with an emphasis on professionalism and a commitment to excellence.<\/p>\n


\nObjectives<\/u><\/h3>\n

To accomplish this mission the Department of Theatre Arts:<\/p>\n