Theatre and Dance Prospective Students

Tour Registration

The Department of Theatre and Dance will be offering tours throughout the fall / spring semesters and summer. If you are interested in touring our facilities via a bundle to your regularly scheduled, Admissions Tour, please email

theatredance@wcupa.edu

to schedule.

Tour Bundle Information

Bundle a Theatre and Dance space tour with your Admissions Tour!

Take a student lead facility tour and meet with the chair and/or faculty member as appropriate to your major.
2 comp theatre tickets available for the production of your choosing when you pre-schedule.

Recommended dates/times:

March 18 & 19 from 12:30-1:30pm
April 15 & 16 from 12:30-1:30pm

Email: theatredance@wcupa.edu

Go here for information on Admissions Tours.

Pre-College Summer Intensive

The Pre-College Intensive is a summer training program for motivated high school students with an interest in the study of theatre arts. Students take classes with WCU professors and professional artists, rehearse in our world-class facilities, and further explore their art form in a college-level environment.

This ten-day "theatre boot camp" will focus specifically on audition prep, acting technique, and the college application process. Students will work with our trained roster of theatre professors to craft a repertoire of contemporary and classical monologues and musical theatre songs. In addition to daily college-level courses in acting, voice and movement, and classical text, each student will receive individual coaching, participate in a showcase, attend field trips and master classes, and exit the intensive with a headshot. Space is limited.

Theatre and Dance Opportunities

Theatre and Dance Scholarships and Awards

THEATRE ALUMNI DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP FOR EMERGING BIPOC ARTISTS

The Theatre Alumni Diversity Scholarship for Emerging BIPOC Artists provides financial assistance to help bridge the gap between opportunity and talent for BIPOC theatre makers. This scholarship will contribute to establishing a sustainable legacy of equality, diversity, and inclusion in the Department of Theatre and Dance. We envision a thriving theatre arts program rooted in empowering BIPOC theatre artists, and representative of the community it creates for and the world its artists will enter. The scholarship will be awarded to a current, incoming, or transfer student who identifies as Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC), Latinx or Asian. The applicant must be a theatre major who exhibits an exceptional desire to pursue a career in theatre arts. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need. Contact THEATREBIPOC@wcupa.edu for more information.

J.PETER ADLER PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE

The J. Peter Adler Prize for Excellence in Theatre is an annual award endowed by the family and friends of J. Peter Adler and West Chester University. The J. Peter Adler Prize will be awarded each spring to a current West Chester University Senior, regardless of undergraduate major, who has participated in the theatre arts while at West Chester University and will use the scholarship associated with the prize to attend graduate school or work in professional theatre. The winner of the J. Peter Adler Prize may take up to three years from graduation to initially use the scholarship funds associated with this award.

J.PETER ADLER SCHOLARSHIP

The J. Peter Adler Scholarship is a $1000 renewable scholarship awarded to a first year student who demonstrates high academic and creative potential. The award is based on a review of grades, community, extra and/or co-curricular, or volunteer activities, performance audition/portfolio, and an interview. Applications can be obtained by calling the theatre office. This scholarship is renewable for four years based on the recipient maintaining an overall 2.5 GPA and a 3.0 GPA in theatre courses. Contact Thomas Haughey for more information.

THE BARBARA J. LAPPANO DANCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Barbara J. Lappano ’67, M ’73 Dance Scholarship honors Barbara Lappano who taught dance at WCU from 1970-2004. This scholarship is awarded to a full-time student who has declared a dance minor and completed at least 60 credits. Selection is based upon academic record and active involvement in the university dance program. Other factors include involvement in the field of dance outside the university and a personal statement. Applications are due in April, contact Gretchen Studlien-Webb for more information.

DANCE ALUMNI AWARDS FOR CHOREOGRAPHY

The Dance Alumni Chapter, started by Barbara Lappano, WCU dance faculty from 1970 -2004 and founder of Dance Production Workshop, honors current University Dance Company students for their excellence in choreography. Recipients receive an award stipend. The fall awardee is invited to perform their work in the Winter Alumni Dance Festival. Contact Gretchen Studlien-Webb for more information.

EMERGING DANCE MINOR SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is awarded to eligible full-time dance minor who has successfully completed 15 credits and a maximum of 55 credits at West Chester University (transfer students must have completed 15 credits at WCU). Selection is based upon an academic record of minimum 3.0 GPA and involvement in the field of dance, primarily within the WCU dance program. Applications are due in January, contact Gretchen Studlien-Webb for more information.

National Organizations

Students in the Department of Theatre & Dance also regularly are involved with activities in the following organizations to gain further understanding of their field of choice and also participate in adjudications or master classes with working theatre and dance artists:

Study Abroad

The Department of Theatre and Dance encourages students to explore international learning opportunities through WCU's Global Engagement Office. Students may pursue study abroad programs that align with their academic and artistic interests. The department also periodically offers faculty-led international excursions that connect performance, cultural exploration, and experiential learning. Recent department opportunities have included theatre and dance studies in Spain, England, Italy and Poland, providing students with perspectives on global performance traditions and contemporary practice.

To learn more about study abroad opportunities and how they can fit into your academic plan, contact the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Student Organizations

University Dance Company (UDC) is a faculty advised and student run concert dance organization. The focus of the UDC is to promote dance as an art form at West Chester University and to provide students with interests in choreography, performance, stage management, lighting and costume design, and arts administration the opportunity to create and shape their voice within this art form. UDC has two concerts every season; the fall concert focuses on faculty and guest artist work, while the spring concert mainly presents student choreography and design. Students work with both faculty and guest artists in the creation of new choreography and design.

University Theatre (UT) supports and encourages a sense of community among all students in the arts. UT offers students an essential outlet for experimentation outside the classroom structure. In collaboration with the Department of Theatre and Dance, productions draw from the classics, contemporary drama and Broadway musicals. Additional activities can include participation in Homecoming, the Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS annual benefit, working box office and concessions for MainStage productions, and various monthly social activities. All students with an interest in drama are welcome.

Alpha Psi Omega (Theatre Honor Society), an honorary fraternity, recognizes excellence in and dedication to the theatre arts. It is sponsored by the Department of Theatre & Dance and membership is open to all students regardless of major.