Department of Theatre
Faculty
Professor EmeritusJames Leonard, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Professor
Andi Lyons, M.F.A. (Department Chair)
Yale University
Associate Professors Emeriti
Robert J. Donnelly, M.F.A.
Yale University
Jerome Hanley, M.F.A.
Yale University
Edward J. Mendus, M.A.
University at Albany
Associate Professors
Janet M. Sussman, M.F.A.
University of Texas, Austin
Eszter Szalczer, Ph.D.
City University of New York
Assistant Professors
James P. Farrell, M.F.A.
New York University
Ken Goldstein, M.F.A.
Brandeis University
Jacqueline Roberts, M.F.A.
Yale University
Visiting Assistant Professor
Scott Bartley, M.F.A.
University of Connecticut
Lecturers
Marnie Andrews, B.A.
University of North Carolina
Ione Beauchamp, M.F.A.
New York University
Gulgun Karamete, M.A.
University at Albany
David Lane, M.F.A
Sarah Lawrence College
Chad Larabee, M.F.A.
Florida State University
Angela Ledtke, M.A.
University at Albany
Steven J. Madore, M.A.
University at Albany
Yvonne Perry-Hulbert, M.A.
University at Albany
Jeffrey Mousseau, M.F.A
Brooklyn College
Eileen Schuyler, M.A.
Empire State College
Leigh Strimbeck, B.F.A.
New York University
Professional Staff
Deepsikha Chatterjee, M.F.A.
Florida State University
John Knapp, B.A.
University at Albany
The curriculum of the Theatre Department (which includes its production program) is designed to aid students to reason and write effectively, to acquire intellectual skills necessary to confront a changing world, to acquire proficiency in a core of theatre knowledge and practice, and to understand the self-discipline necessary to pursue a life in art.
Theatre is a performing art. It is also a major area of study through which one may gain a liberal arts education. The Department of Theatre assumed these two views of the theatre to be mutually supportive. Design, direction, acting, writing, technology, history, theory, criticism, and dramatic literature are considered interdependent studies. However, a degree of specialization is expected of all students.
Careers
A major in theatre prepares students for specialized graduate study in dramatic art or conservatory training in performance or production. Thus they acquire a wide range of knowledge and skills transferable to a variety of career paths. In addition, theatre majors are prepared to pursue any career path requiring a broad liberal education.
Our graduates are currently acting and directing in television, film, and on stage in New York, and in regional theatres. Graduates in design and technical areas have found employment in the New York theatre, in regional theatres, with touring theatrical and concert productions and with equipment manufacturers and distributors. Other graduates have gone into architecture, teaching, journalism, communications, the law, and business.
Casting Policy Statement
The Department of Theatre, University at Albany/State University of New York:
- Has pledged itself to the goal of achieving cultural diversity in its casting.
- Encourages all University at Albany students to audition for and participate in its productions.
- Strives to provide educational opportunities for the growth, development, and training of students, and casts its productions in part to fulfill this goal.
- Encourages its faculty and staff to employ the freedom implicit in educational theatre to make bold and experimental artistic choices in the conceptions, casting, and design of their work.
- Recognizes the director as the person responsible for making casting decisions for each production and encourages integration between the production process and coursework.
- Promotes the ideal that earning and retaining a role is a privilege, not a right.
Degree Requirements for the Major in Theatre
A student may elect either a 40 credit general program or a 58 credit departmental program in which emphasis in a particular area of theatre is required.A student wishing to concentrate in dramatic theory, history, and literature should enroll in the general program and plan a minor to accommodate such interests.
General Program B.A.: 40 credits from the following:
Section 1 (22 credits): A THR 121Z, 135, 220, 221, 222, 235, 240.
Section 2 (6 credits): Select from A THR 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302. Each class may be repeated up to 6 credits but only 3 credits of A THR 102, 202, and 302 may be applied toward the major.
Section 3 (9 credits): 1 class from 3 of the 4 following groups:
Group 1: A THR 319Z, 361, 380
Group 2: A THR 314, 315, 335, 360, 370, 371, 381
Group 3: A THR 339, 340, 343
Group 4: A THR 303Z, 421, 456Z
Section 4 (3 credits): Select 1 class from A THR 450, 460, 465, 475, 481, 499.
Theatre Departmental Program B.A.: 58 credits from the following:
Section 1 (22 credits): A THR 121Z, 135, 220, 221, 222, 235, 240.
Section 2 (6 credits): Select from A THR 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302. Each class may be repeated up to 6 credits but only 3 credits of A THR 102, 202, and 302 may be applied toward the major.
Section 3 (9 credits): 1 class from 3 of the 4 following groups:
Group 1: A THR 319Z, 361, 380
Group 2: A THR 314, 315, 335, 360, 370, 371, 381
Group 3: A THR 339, 340, 343
Group 4: A THR 303Z, 421, 456Z
Section 4 (3 credits): Select 1 class from A THR 450, 460, 465, 475, 481, 499.
Section 5 (18 credits): From the following 5 groups, choose 18 credits, 9 credits of which have to be 300 level or above; a maximum of 12 credits can be chosen from any one group:
Group 1: A THR 319Z, 326, 361, 380
Group 2: A THR 264, 265, 266, 314, 315, 335, 336, 360, 370, 371, 381, 386, 401, 495
Group 3: A THR 238, 239, 250, 339, 340, 341, 343, 345, 349, 402, 438, 439, 440
Group 4: A THR 228, 303Z, 304Z, 403Z, 404Z, 421, 456
Group 5: A THR 450, 460, 461, 465, 466, 475, 476, 481, 482, 499.
Honors Program
The honors program in theatre is designed to give exceptional undergraduates the opportunity to take advanced class work in the field of theatre studies and to work more closely with faculty on independent projects than might otherwise be possible. This program is available to Theatre Core and Theatre Departmental majors.Requirements for admission to the Theatre Honors Program:
A THR 121, 135, 220, 221, 222, 235 and 240 completed or in progress; at least 60 but no more than 80 credits towards graduation; a 3.50 GPA in all theatre courses and an overall GPA of 3.25; submission of an application and project proposal to the Honors Committee.
Requirements for completion of the Theatre Honors Program:
Overall GPA of 3.25; all requirements for core theatre major with GPA of 3.50 (the student may be removed from the Honors Program if the GPA drops below the required level, or in the case of excessive or unjustified incompletes in any course(s), pending the judgment of the Honors Committee); honors course or independent study or other upper level course approved by the Honors Committee in which substantial research is done in preparation for the Honors project with a grade of B+ or higher (3 credits); Honors project with a grade of B+ or higher (3 credits).
