BWW Student Center's School in the Spotlight: Syracuse University, NY

The Department of Drama in the College of Visual and Performing Arts offers conservatory-style training at a major American university, combined with a level of integration with a professional theater company that is unparalleled among undergraduate programs.

Created in the early 1930s by Sawyer Falk, one of the nation's leaders in the development of theater programs at academic institutions, the department began its symbiotic relationship with Syracuse Stage in 1974, when Syracuse University hired Arthur Storch to serve as both artistic director and also as director of the Department of Drama. The unique affiliation between the Drama Department and Syracuse Stage is fostered by their common home in one theater complex.

This relationship flourished under James A. Clark's guidance as department chair and Syracuse Stage producing director from 1992 to 2007, with Tazewell Thompson and Robert Moss serving as artistic directors for Syracuse Stage.

Timothy J. Bond arrived in 2008 as producing artistic director for the Stage and the department with a vision to enhance and strengthen this unity even further. He was joined in 2010 by department chair Ralph Zito, and they are working together to provide even more opportunities for our students to gain professional experience in all areas of study as they earn their undergraduate degrees.

The Department of Drama offers four bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree programs in acting, musical theater, stage management, and theater design and technology. Students may also apply for direct admission to the Theater Management track of our bachelor of science (BS) degree program. This track will prepare you for a variety of careers including producing, marketing and public relations, casting, development, and general management. After gaining admission to, and completing a portion of, one of the BFA programs (Acting, Musical Theater, Theater Design and Technology, or Stage Management), you may decide that you want to pursue other academic interests. Several other tracks in the BS program-including Playwriting and Directing-which are more broadly focused than the BFA programs, enable you to tailor the curriculum to your individual interests and to pursue a minor.

Undergraduates put classroom theory into practice through productions and various special opportunities, including Wednesday Lab, study abroad, and numerous community engagement initiatives. These productions and programs are open to the community at large in fulfillment of the University's academic mission of Scholarship in Action.

A dedicated faculty of working professionals; a unique affiliation with an outstanding Equity theater company that shares our theater complex as well as the knowledge and experience of its working professionals; opportunities to learn by experience-in Syracuse, abroad, in New York City-in various areas of the entertainment industry; and the academic resources of a major American University-all of these combine to create an undergraduate theater training program with a unique scope and a proven record of success.

Up next in the MainStage season is A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM on stage March 6 thru March 31. The musical VIOLET will play the Storch Theatre on April 19-24. For tickets, click here.

Questions/concerns/suggestions related to BWW's student center can be addressed to studentcenter@broadwayworld.com

Info and photos courtesy of SU Drama