Course descriptions from the academic catalog
American College Theatre Festival
Drama Participation
Acting
Directing
Music Theatre Workshop
Drama in the Church
Theatre Appreciation
American College Theatre Festival (ThAr115)
The KCACTF is a year-round program in eight geographic regions in the United States. Kansas falls under Region 5, including Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Each January colleges in these states come together for a week long festival to celebrate theatre on the collegiate level. Workshops led by some of the best and brightest professors as well as seasoned professionals are offered for the students to attend. In addition, plays selected by a regional selecting team are at the festival for students to view. This is a unique event that provides educational opportunities that no one college could offer, not to mention the chance to see some great shows! Students who have been on this trip have not only learned a lot, but have had a great time!
"Going to ACTF last year was an experience that made me more aware of what's going on in the college theater world and also got me thinking about possibilities for further study. The opportunity to see so many quality shows within such a short period of time and all in the same area was unique and incredibly stimulating. The young talent, amazing sets, costumes, and directing was truly inspiring, not just for me as an aspiring actress, but also simply as a spectator of these shows. I appreciated the creativity of all those involved in the festival, and also the chance to get to know some other college kids with the same dreams and aspirations as myself. I also very much enjoyed road-tripping with Tara and Megan, and experiencing the wonderful world of college theater with them." - Jenna (Nickel) Grubaugh, Hesston Grad, 2005
Photos from the spring 2005 and 2006 trips to ACTF--more photos from ACTF 2005
Drama Participation (ThAr125-126, ThAr225-226)
Students enrolled in this class receive credit not only for acting but for helping behind the scenes. One workday for each show is part of the course. Students gather for a full day of set building, costume creation, and general theatre fun. The cast of each show is required to be there on this day and so it is a great opportunity for cast bonding. In addition, this kind of hands-on learning is essential for understanding the entire theatre process. Doug Peters, our technical director, is a wonderful teacher and very knowledgeable about the "tech" side of theatre.
Photos from Drama Participation work day, fall 2006--more photos
Acting (ThAr127)
Acting class is not just for students interested in being on stage! An acting course can provide a great opportunity to hone a student's communication skills as well as building confidence. Of course, it's also highly recommended for students who wish to acquire more stage time. This course is a basic, beginning level acting course, however, students who come to Hesston at a higher level are challenged as well. In addition to sharpening acting skills, students are exposed to stage make-up (both standard and old age) as well as preparing an acting resume and audition monologues. Students in this course are then provided with the standard 8 by 10 glossy black and white headshot required at most professional and semi-professional auditions.
A first-year student's acting resume and headshot
Directing (ThAr128)
This course is specifically designed so that the student director will produce a one act play over commencement weekend. The student meets with the instructor on a weekly basis beginning at the start of the semester. During the time prior to spring break, the student is given instruction, readings, and assignments on the directing process. Once they return from spring break, they hold auditions and begin the actual directing process. They meet on a regular basis with their production team consisting of students and faculty who have taken on the roles of costume designer, set designer and lighting designer. The end result is a full production with set, lights, costumes, and a sense of accomplishment.
Coming in spring 2007--a student director's production journal
Music Theatre Workshop (ThAr141)
This eight-week course is team taught by Megan Tyner, theatre director, and music faculty member Matthew Schloneger. The course focuses specifically on the Musical Theatre genre. Class time is devoted to movement, dance, acting, and vocal techniques used in this style of theatre. Through concurrent enrollment in private voice, students will work on a repertoire of music theatre selections. The class culminates with an evening of selected scenes and songs from a variety of musicals. In addition, the final for the course is a professional audition at Music Theatre of Wichita in Wichita, Kan.
Last year Wayne Bryan of Music Theatre of Wichita came to class to help students refine their audition skills.
Drama in the Church (ThAr211)
This course revolves around the idea of "Drama with the big D!" This is the notion that the theatre arts can be used to make the entire worship service more dramatic. We look in depth at directing and writing sketches, but it goes toward the larger notion that drama can be used to initiate a deeper response from the congregation and a more spiritual experience for all. Students in this course are walked through several aspects of drama in the church including acting, writing sketches, oral interpretation, worship planning, and directing. This class then combines with local churches to help plan and participate in their worship services.
Theatre Appreciation (Hum203)
This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the theatre art form – a sort of "theatre for the consumer" course. Particular attention is paid to what goes into producing a play or musical, the different roles and professions in today's theatre and an overview of theatre history. Towards the end of the semester the class takes what they have learned and applies it to classes and careers outside the dramatic world, asking and answering the question, "How can I apply what I have learned into my own field and what theatrical tactics are already being used?" Students in this course also attend several productions, both professional and amateur, in the area. NO ACTING REQUIRED!
