Theatre
Karen Berman, Ph.D., Chair of Theatre and Artistic Director of Theatre Programs
Director of Dance Programs: Amelia Pelton
Professors: Beate Czogalla and Karen Berman
Associate Professors: Eric Griffis and Amy Pinney
Academic Professional: Russell Staples and Jessica Van Essen
Lecturer: James Holder and Natalie King
Visiting Assistant Professor: Frani Geiger
Department Contact Information:
Georgia College
Department of Theatre and Dance
Campus Box 119
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-8290
Theatre Department website
Chair, Karen Berman, karen.berman@gcsu.edu
Coordinator of Office Services and Box Office Manager, Tina Alvarez, tina.alvarez@gcsu.edu
Theatre
We seek to provide the best possible education in theatre and dance for our students, preparing them for careers in the professional and educational arenas both in and out of the performing arts. We cultivate imagination, passion, discipline and collaboration in the creation of art and artists. We emphasize interdisciplinary connections and a global perspective as essential components of a liberal arts education.
Accreditation and Affiliations
The Theatre Program is affiliated with the Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT), Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC), Georgia Theatre Conference (GTC), the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival (KC/ACTF), and Georgia Thespian Conference.
Dance
The Georgia College Dance Minor program provides students with opportunities to study dance within an environment conducive to research, exploration, and performance. Students are encouraged and expected to pursue the physical, scholarly, and imaginative aspects of dance while enriching their communicative and creative skills. Through classroom and stage experience, as well as work with guest artists, the students learn about the diverse prospects available in the field of dance. The Dance Minor program mission is supportive of, and parallel to, the liberal arts mission of GC which fosters creative thinking and interdisciplinary studies.
Student Organizations
Alpha Psi Omega. The purpose of Alpha Psi Omega, the national honorary dramatic fraternity, is to promote the arts, particularly the theatre. Activities primarily involve supporting the Georgia College Theatre program by serving as ushers for performances, sponsoring social events, etc. Membership is based on the frequency of participation in main stage productions. For more information, contact Eric Griffis.
Chi Tau Epsilon is a national dance honorary society. This society organizes and sponsors activities that support the Georgia College Dance Program and the community at large. Through social events, fundraisers and special presentations, XTE brings Georgia College dancers together. Membership requires being a registered Dance Minor and maintaining a minimum 3.0 overall GPA. For more information, contact Amelia Pelton.
Career Information
With the expansion of the arts industry, both nationally and internationally, the opportunities for employment for theatre graduates are wide and highly varied.
In theatre, opportunities include the following: acting, directing, technical work, playwriting and dramaturgy in professional and community venues, and on stage or in television or film work; commercial and industrial acting, directing and technical work; teaching drama/theatre (secondary school, university, or studio); arts management; presentation consultation in business settings; commercial and architectural lighting design, interior design and fashion design.
The B.A. in Theatre is a foundational degree affording the broadest scope for career aspirations. There is room for developing minor concentrations in other fields, such as computer science or business; at the same time, there is sufficient focus and intensity to prepare the student for graduate study or entry level work in the field. Students with a B.A. in Theatre also find meaningful employment in the theme park and cruise ship entertainment industry, in non-profit organizations, law and even NASA's education outreach programs.
Students who are passionate about theatre in education may choose to continue their studies in the Master of Arts in Teaching program (MAT). This graduate course of study earns students a full Master's degree which qualifies them to teach theatre and other subjects at the secondary education level (grades 6-12). Many theatre students have successfully completed this program and are now teaching in high schools. For more information, visit: http://www.gcsu.edu/education/graduate/mat/secondary.htm.