Theatre Arts and Communication Studies

The Department of Theatre Arts and Communication Studies provides courses of study as well as co-curricular activities to meet the interests of majors and the general student body. A number of courses in the department are open to all students who wish to explore theatre, dance or video production as an interest area. Advanced courses (3000 level and above) are usually open to students with appropriate prerequisites. Many of the courses in the department address Hamline Plan competencies.

Studies in theatre are an integral part of the traditional curriculum in the arts, broadening understanding of human interaction as well as enhancing the appreciation of the dramatic arts. Theatre and the allied disciplines of dance and video production are all part of the effort of the Department to integrate aesthetic, humanistic and social scientific perspectives in the study of this fundamental form of human communication.. The Department regularly offers study abroad opportunities for students seeking to expand their understanding of the universal language of the performing arts.

This section describes the courses and facilities for the Theatre Arts program. Please see the Communication Studies section of the Bulletin for information on the Communication Studies program.

Postgraduate Opportunities: Theatre

Students majoring in theatre pursue careers in teaching, professional or community theatre, or in the allied fields of television and film. The skills taught as part of the major have also equipped majors to enter the entertainment industry as producers, development directors for non-profit organizations, special event and convention planners as well as public relations specialists. Majors are encouraged to pursue graduate school opportunities in their respective fields of interest.

Each year Hamline students participate in regional and national interviews and auditions for advanced training and professional work. The department offers regular workshops and review sessions to help prepare student to make the transition into a career.

Postgraduate Opportunities: Communication Studies

Corporations typically cite knowledge and skills in communication as among the most important assets a college graduate brings to business. Students may pursue diverse career opportunities in wide- ranging fields related to communication. Career choices by majors include law, human resources, higher education administration, social service work, community organizing, speech writing, legislative work, public relations, advertising, sales, management, performing arts management, work in broadcast or print media, journalism, teaching, and other areas.

Honors in Communication Studies

Communication studies majors who have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in major courses are invited to apply for the departmental honors program. A student pursuing departmental honors will complete a serious extensive independent research in an area of interest, under the supervision of a departmental faculty member. Candidates for departmental honors must apply to the department for honors and obtain approval for the proposed project no later than 14 months prior to expected graduation. If approved, the candidate works closely with a departmental faculty supervisor to complete an independent research project, culminating in a written honors thesis which is then presented and defended to an examination committee. If both the written thesis and the oral examination are deemed worthy of honors, a copy of the thesis is filed in the Hamline University Bush Library and departmental honors are awarded at graduation.

Facilities

The Hamline University Theatre mainstage performing facility is a fully equipped proscenium stage with continental seating for 300, computerized lighting control system, computerized sound recording and playback capability, orchestra pit, full flyloft, stage traps, a large scene shop with paint-frame, costume and lighting work rooms, dressing and makeup rooms, and Green Room. The Anne Simley Theatre is the site for all major productions and is used occasionally by outside professional theatre or dance companies.

A small flexible studio theatre is available in an adjacent building and is used for special projects in directing and design and as a performance space for one-act plays, readings, dance, and class activities. A well-equipped design classroom is used for classes in stagecraft and technical production courses. The department also operates a small television station with modern equipment. The station is connected to the campus-wide cable system and supports student film and video projects.

Faculty

Departmental faculty combine active professional work in their respective fields with their primary role as educators. All faculty in the theatre program are involved in performance, directing, or design in the active Twin Cities theatre community. All faculty members in Communication Studies are involved in professional areas of their specializations beyond the campus, nationally and internationally, presenting research, and working as consulting professionals in various capacities.

Verna C. Corgan, associate professor. BA 1984, MA 1986, PhD 1992, University of Minnesota. Publications in communication ethics and legal communication. Teaching and research interests: legal rhetoric, communication ethics, argumentation, communication and rhetorical theory, persuasion, public speaking, small group communication, gender and communication.

George M. Gaetano, associate professor. BA 1977; MA 1979; PhD 1995, University of Minnesota. Publications in humor theorizing and humor research. Teaching and research interests include organizational communication, persuasion, family communication, gendered communication, intercultural communication, public speaking, and humor research.

Suda Ishida, associate professor. BA 1988, Chiang Mai University, Thailand; MA 1996, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; PhD 2002, University of Iowa. Publications in global media studies. Teaching and research interests include media studies, global media and social-political conflicts, cultural and critical theories, history of U.S. journalism, and intercultural communication.

Kaori Kenmotsu, assistant professor. BA 1993, University of Minnesota; MFA 2002, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dance educator, K-16; yoga instructor, professional dancer, actor, and choreographer.

Carolyn Levy, associate professor. AB 1973, Cornell University; MFA 1976, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Performance studies, acting, directing, creative dramatics. Freelance director (credits include Park Square Theatre, History Theatre, Playwright’s Center); Artistic Associate, Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company; Artistic Director and Co-Founder, Women’s Theatre Project.

Patricia R. Palmerton, professor, head of communication studies. BA 1972, Macalester College; MA 1979, PhD 1984, University of Minnesota. Publications in rhetoric, social change, curriculum development, communication education, and instructional communication. Teaching and research interests: communication and rhetorical theory, argumentation, gender and communication, small group communication, interpersonal communication, communication and conflict, research methods. Consultant in communication and education, and communication processes in organizations.

Jeff Turner, associate professor. AB 1984, Centre College; MA 1986, University of California-Los Angeles; MA 1991, Appalachian State University; PhD 2000, University of Colorado-Boulder. Teaching and research interests include American theatre history, directing, film studies, childhood studies, and popular culture studies.

William G. Wallace, associate professor, chair, designer, technical director. BA 1972, Concordia College, Illinois; MFA 1981, University of Minnesota. Stagecraft, technical production, theatre design fields (scenic, costume, lighting). Design consultant for area theatres.

Julie R. Woodbury, visiting assistant professor, BS 1983, University of Maryland; MA 2000, PhD 2003, University of Minnesota. Publications in argumentation. Teaching and research interests: argumentation, strategic communication, communication and identity, communication and ethics, free speech, new media communication (internet).