Department of Theatre and Dance

Leigh Selting, Department Head
205 Fine Arts Center
Phone: (307) 766-2198, FAX: (307) 766-2197
Website: http://www.uwyo.edu/th&d/homepage.htm

 

Professors
WILLIAM MISSOURI DOWNS, B.S. Northern Michigan University 1977; M.F.A. University of Illinois 1980; M.F.A. University of California-Los Angeles 1988; Professor of Theatre and Dance 2004, 1998, 1994.
LARRY W. HAZLETT, B.M. University of Colorado 1974; M.A. University of Wyoming 1983; Professor of Theatre and Dance 2003.

REBECCA HILLIKER, B.F.A. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 1971; M.F.A. University of Wisconsin, Madison 1974; Ph.D. 1984; Professor of Theatre 1997, 1988.

LEE HODGSON, B.A. University of Wyoming 1977; M.A. 1980; M.F.A. California Institute of the Arts 1983; Professor of Theatre and Dance 2000, 1987.

MARSHA F. KNIGHT, B.F.A. University of Utah 1979; M.F.A. 1983; Professor of Theatre and Dance 1998, 1984.

LEIGH SELTING, B.A. University of Nebraska at Kearney 1983; M.F.A. University of Idaho 1985; Professor of Theatre and Dance 1999, 1989.

LOU ANNE WRIGHT, B.A. California State University-Northridge 1990; M.F.A. National Theatre Conservatory 1993; Professor of Theatre and Dance 2007, 1994.

 

Assistant Professor
CECILIA ARAGÓN, B.S. McMurry University 1991; M.A. University of New Mexico 1996; Ph.D. Arizona State University 2003; Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance 2005.

JENNIFER DECKART, B.F.A. University of Utah 2003; M.F. A. 2005; Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance 2007.
CASEY KEARNS, B.A. Chadron State College; M.F.A. University of Kansas; Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance 2005.

PATRICK NEWELL, B.M. University of Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne 1992; M.M. 1994, Ph.D. 2003; Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance 2007.
MARGARET WILSON, B.A. University of Wyoming 1981; M.S. 1987; Ph. D. 2007; Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance 2005.

Adjunct Professor
Neil F. Humphrey

Degrees Offered

The Department of Theatre and Dance offers curricula leading to the B.A. degree and the Bachelor of Fine Arts; and courses which fulfill a part of University Studies and various colleges' requirements, including the College of Arts and Sciences.

Curricula

Students may not take a course for S/U credit to satisfy course requirements in the major. This does not apply to courses offered for S/U only. Requirements for students majoring in the areas of the department are indicated below.

Theatre

The study of theatre provides students with a broad understanding of the art of theatre appropriate to theatre’s position as a fine art in a liberal arts college. The study of theatre is considered to provide a basis for more specialized theatre study in a graduate or professional school. The liberal arts education in theatre together with extensive experience in the production program also provides the foundation for a professional career in theatre, motion pictures, or television drama for those individuals with special desires and abilities. Secondary teaching certification in theatre can be obtained through this program of study.

A major in this area requires a minimum of 40 credits which must include THEA 1100, 1200, 2010, 2020, 2220, 2800, 3730, 3740, 3810, 4820, 4930 and 4940. A minimum of 15 credits within the major must be completed at the 4000-level.

Dance

The dance concentration within the Department of Theatre and Dance is designed to provide students with a broad foundation in the humanities and specific emphasis in performance and production aspects of dance. Students pursuing this course of study will have opportunities to attain technical competency in ballet and/or modern dance, to perform in yearly dance productions, to obtain practical experience in the fundamentals of teaching dance and to gain experience in technical theatre as an aid to dance production. The program seeks to provide a comprehensive view of dance as an artistically expressive medium, as well as a creative and recreational tool to human expression.

Students completing this program will qualify for more advanced private instruction as well as advanced academic instruction.

Students electing the dance option must complete a minimum of 47 credits which must include THEA 1200, 1410, 1420, 1430, 1440, 1450, 1480, 2050, 2200, 2220, 2480, 3100, 3410, 3420, 3430, 3440, 4010 or 4030, 4200, 4250, 4260 and 4880. The following courses are required of dance option majors in addition to the above: LIFE 1000, ZOO 2040 and HLED 1221; however, these classes are not considered part of the 50 hours maximum in major area. .

Suggested Programs

B.A. with Theatre Concentration

(typical program)
This is a suggested sequence of courses. Students electing to follow this outline will be able to secure courses in their proper order. It is understood that certain substitutions may have to be made.

Suggested Course Sequence for Major Requirements

Freshman Year: Fall
 Hours
3
3

Freshman Year: Spring
 Hours
4

Sophomore Year: Fall
 Hours
3
3

Sophomore Year: Spring
 Hours
3
3

Junior Year: Fall
 Hours
3
3

Junior Year: Spring
 Hours
3

Senior Year: Fall
 Hours
3
3

Senior Year: Spring
 Hours
3

Theatre majors are limited to no more than 50 credits in the major field of which a minimum of 15 must be at the 4000-level.

B.A. with Dance Concentration

This is a suggested sequence of courses in the major. Students electing to follow this outline will be able to secure courses in their proper order. Certain substitutions may have to be made and all scheduling of classes should be discussed with an adviser.

Suggested Course Sequence for Major Requirements (Even year entrance)
Freshman Year: Fall
 Hours
1
1
1
1

Freshman Year: Spring
 Hours
1
1
4
1

Sophomore Year: Fall
 Hours
3
1
1
2
1

Sophomore Year: Spring
 Hours
2
5
1
1
1

Junior Year: Fall
 Hours
2
2
2
1

Junior Year: Spring
 Hours
2
2
2
3

Senior Year: Fall
 Hours
2
2

Senior Year: Spring
 Hours
2
2
2

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The degree program in theatre and dance permits 60‑70 credits in the major field. It is designed primarily for students who seek additional professional training in theatre and dance or who wish to enter M.F.A. graduate programs.

Students seeking the professional degree will be expected to meet degree requirements as specified by the College of Arts and Sciences. Students may substitute advanced theatre and dance courses for university electives, but may not exceed 70 credits in this degree option.

For other requirements consult with the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Theatre/English Concentration

This degree program permits a total of 60-70 credits in the major. It is designed primarily for those desiring to pursue professional education courses and certification to programs. The core requirements in the major field are the same as those required for the B.A. degree nonprofessional.

Suggested Course Sequence
Freshman Year: Fall
 Hours
3
3

Freshman Year: Spring
 Hours
4

Sophomore Year: Fall
 Hours
3
3
ENGL 2000-level literature*
 3
Sophomore Year: Spring
 Hours
ENGL 2000-level literature*
 3
3
3

Junior Year: Fall
 Hours
3
3
3

Junior Year: Spring
 Hours
ENGL 4000-level literature
 3
3

Senior Year: Fall
 Hours
3
ENGL 4000-level literature
 3

Senior Year: Spring
 Hours
3
ENGL 4000-level literature
 3

*2000-level literature courses may be chosen from 2140, 2150, and 2220.
 

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Acting Concentration

(Preprofessional)
TThis degree program permits a total of 60-70 credits in the major. It is designed primarily for those desiring to pursue additional pre-professional training in theatre and dance or for those preparing to enter M.F.A. graduate programs. The core requirements in the major field are the same as those required for the B.S. or B.A. degree nonprofessional.

Suggested Course Sequence for Major Requirements
Freshman Year: Fall
 Hours
3
3

Freshman Year: Spring
 Hours
4

Sophomore Year: Fall
 Hours
3
2
3

Sophomore Year: Spring
 Hours
3
3

Junior Year: Fall
 Hours
2
3
3

Junior Year: Spring
 Hours
3

Senior Year: Fall
 Hours
3
3
2
3

Senior Year: Spring
 Hours
3
3
2

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Directing and Playwriting Concentration

This concentration permits a total of 60 - 70 credits in the major. It is designed primarily for those desiring to pursue additional preprofessional training in directing and playwriting or for those preparing to enter M.F.A. graduate programs in playwriting or directing. The core requirements in the major field are the same as those for the B.S. or B.A. degree nonprofessional.

Suggested Course Sequence


FRESHMAN YEAR: Fall Hrs.
THEA 1100
3
THEA 1200
3

FRESHMAN YEAR: Spring
Hrs.
THEA 2220
3

SOPHOMORE YEAR: Fall
Hrs.
THEA 2010
3
THEA 3500
3
THEA 3730
3
THEA 4820
3
THEA 4990
3

SOPHOMORE YEAR: Spring
Hrs.
THEA 2020
3
THEA 3810
3
THEA 4830
3

JUNIOR YEAR: Fall
Hrs.
THEA 2800
3
ENGL 4600
3

JUNIOR YEAR: Spring
Hrs.
THEA 3740
3
THEA 3790
3
ENGL
3

SENIOR YEAR: Fall
Hrs.
THEA 4710
3
THEA 4930
3

SENIOR YEAR: Spring
Hrs.
THEA 4990
3

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Technical/Design Concentration (Preprofessional)

Students in the B.F.A. degree program who are completing the technical/design theatre track will have the option of petitioning for permission to serve on the production staff of a departmental production as a designer or technician. Ordinarily, the petition would be submitted to the departmental faculty during the student’s junior year and the project would be completed during the student’s senior year. This project would be done under THEA 4990 for 1 to 3 hours of credit.

Suggested Course Sequence
Note: Freshman year fall and spring and sophomore year fall are all the same as suggested course sequence for Bachelor of Fine Arts (preprofessional).
Sophomore Year: Spring
 Hours
2

Junior Year: Fall
 Hours
3
3
3

Junior Year: Spring
 Hours
3
3
3
3

Senior Year: Fall
 Hours
3
3-4

Senior Year: Spring
 Hours
3
3
3-4

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Dance Concentration (Preprofessional)

This program permits a total of 60‑70 credits in the major. It is designed primarily for students in dance who wish to pursue additional preprofessional training in theatre and dance or for those preparing to enter M.F.A. graduate programs. In addition to the courses required in the dance option core, and in the B.S. or B.A. degree, students electing the preprofessional degree in dance are required to complete the following courses: THEA 1100, 2450, 2160, 4880 (05), 4880 (07), plus a minimum of 5 elective credits in theatre and dance.

Scholarships

A number of scholarships are available to interested majors in theatre or within the dance option. The University Theatre also maintains a summer company. Applications should be sent to the Department of Theatre and Dance, Dept. 3951, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071.

Departmental Activities/Organizations

The department sponsors one of the largest all-student activities on campus. Nearly 250 students take part in its productions each season. All students are eligible to participate in its productions through auditions.

Productions are mounted in the Center for the Fine Arts which includes a flexible pro-scenium theatre and an experimental-studio theatre complete with scene and costume support facilities.

Auditions, open to all university students, are publicly announced for each production. Qualified students may receive credit in performance and production areas (THEA2050).

The Wyoming Summer Theatre presents a season of four plays of varying types during the summer session. Theatre majors and minors are urged to spend at least one summer working with this group.

Theatre and Dance (THEA) Courses

top of page

Please send comments or questions to registrar@uwyo.edu

Last Change: 11/08/07